By Susanna Rust2021-04-08T10:15:00+01:00
The Investment Consultants Sustainability Working Group (ICSWG) has endorsed a set of impact investing guidelines for pension schemes, saying their broader adoption would provide a stronger governance framework for investors navigating the subject of impact investment.
This in turn could increase the volume of capital directed towards sustainable solutions and supporting much-needed transformations within the global economy, the group suggested.
The principles in question were developed by the Impact Investing Institute in partnership with Pensions for Purpose, which is an organisation dedicated to promoting impact investing within the pensions industry.
Andrew Lilley, head of responsible investment research at Isio and part of the ICSWG’s impact investing team, said: “Institutional interest in impact investing has increased dramatically, especially over recent years. However, we see a great diversity of approach in implementing i
By Susanna Rust2021-03-12T12:42:00+00:00
Further pensions industry requests have been formulated of the UK government due to residual concerns about its proposals for climate risk reporting and governance requirements for occupational pension funds.
This is according to feedback to a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) consultation on draft regulations and statutory guidance, which it developed taking into account responses to its initial proposals on the topic in August last year.
Specific requests include that the DWP work with the financial markets regulator to ensure that “relevant levels of skills and climate knowledge are part of the authorisation regime for investment consultants and managers” – a point made by the Pensions & Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) in its response to the consultation.
By Susanna Rust2021-01-29T16:00:00+00:00
UK investment consultants that came together to form a sustainability working group have produced a guide to help pension scheme trustees assess their consultants on their climate competency.
“Climate change is fast becoming the defining issue of our time and trustees of pension schemes need to know their advisers are on the front-foot with this issue,” said Ian Gamon, of consultancy LCP and part of the Investment Consultants Sustainability Working Group (ICSWG) regulation team.
Announcing the guide today, the ICSWG said it was “a practical response to the 2020 Pensions Climate Risk Industry Group (PCRIG) consultation, which recommended that pension scheme trustees require their investment consultants and asset managers to demonstrate climate competence”.