Across the globe last year we witnessed record high temperatures that also created huge disruption to farming globally. Global warming has in recent years caused droughts, flooding, heatwaves on an unprecedented scale in addition to new pests that are now able to migrate due to the changing climate. A combination of these events has had … Read more
Increasingly the focus of investor attention, human rights issues appear to be on the radar for more companies this year, according to ShareAction’s Workforce Disclosure Initiative (WDI). The annual report received 167 responses from companies this year, down from 173 the year before. Rosie Mackenzie, senior company engagement manager at ShareAction, described the fall in … Read more
Last year proved difficult for multi-asset investors, who had few places to hide amid a global rout of both equity and fixed-income assets. Among sustainable and ESG-integrated funds, this was amplified by a structural bias towards growth-orientated equities, which were hit hardest. The key driver of negative returns in 2022 stemmed from higher inflation and … Read more
We were delighted to see the launch of the UK’s Taskforce on Social Factors several weeks ago. With support from the department for work and pensions (DWP), the advisory group will seek to support pension scheme trustees and the wider industry in effectively managing social issues in investments. With some time having passed since first … Read more
There are a number of misconceptions around adaptation and how investors can address the problem in portfolios, according to J.P. Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM)’s global head of sustainable investing Jennifer Wu. Speaking at the company’s 2023 media summit in March, Wu said not enough attention is placed on adaptation by investors with many dismissing the … Read more
Mirova, the sustainable finance arm of French investment manager Natixis, has promoted Zineb Bennani to CEO of its US business and global head of business development. Bennani (pictured), who starts her new role in May, is currently chief operating and development officer at Mirova. She will spearhead Mirova’s next growth phase in the US out … Read more
It is just a matter of time before China rolls out compulsory ESG disclosure requirements, although rumours that Beijing is due to announce its plans imminently will likely prove wide of the mark as all eyes remain firmly fixed on the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). That is the view of market observers ESG Clarity … Read more
Some 12 banks have come under fire from traditional indigenous owners from Australia’s Tiwi Islands and Larrakia country for their links to the Barossa gas project. At the end of last year, gas company Santos lost a legal battle over its $4.7bn Barossa gas project north of the Tiwi Islands, which traditional owners argued they … Read more
After record inflows into sustainable funds during 2020 and 2021, last year was a rockier time for sustainable investments. With the vast majority of the ESG fund market not invested in oil, strategies struggled to outperform and sentiment in the US took a nosedive, with some states banning ESG investments for being ‘woke’. Yet the … Read more
Jupiter’s head of environmental solutions Rhys Petheram (pictured) is leaving after two years in the role amid fund closures at the firm. A Jupiter spokesperson confirmed the firm has taken the decision to close the Jupiter Global Ecology Bond and Global Ecology Diversified funds on 6 April. “As an active, high-conviction asset manager, it is … Read more