Spring Budget 2023: Nuclear to be classed as sustainable in UK Taxonomy

The UK government has launched a new nuclear programme aimed at generating a quarter of the country’s electricity by 2050, and has reclassified nuclear energy as environmentally sustainable. Today (15 March) chancellor Jeremy Hunt used his Spring Budget to reveal the UK would class nuclear energy as environmentally sustainable in its green taxonomy, to give … Read more

Spring Budget reaction: UK lacking ‘serious response’ to global clean energy arms race

The Spring Budget was missing “serious consideration” of how Britain plans to make its mark in the global clean energy ‘arms race’, the chief executive of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) has said. See also: Spring Budget 2023: Nuclear to be classed as sustainable in UK Taxonomy James Alexander, CEO at UKSIF, … Read more

What change is more women on boards creating?

Now that the corporate banners declaring support for gender equality on International Women’s Day have come down, it is worth reflecting on what practical steps businesses need to take to ensure this commitment is enduring. Over the last century, there has been no shortage of women from whom younger generations can draw inspiration, from the … Read more

Investors urged to veto Credit Suisse’s climate plan

Credit Suisse shareholders are being called to vote against the investment bank’s latest climate strategy, which has been described as “not fit for purpose”. The group published its Say on Climate plan this week setting out five additional emissions reductions targets for the power generation, commercial real estate, iron and steel, aluminium, and automotive sectors. … Read more

Robeco launches sustainable senior loan fund

Robeco has launched the Robeco Sustainable Senior Loan Fund. The Rotterdam-based asset manager said the offering is one of the first funds to integrate sustainability into private debt investments. The fund has so far raised €130m including a significant sponsor commitment from ORIX Corporation Europe, Robeco’s parent company. It will continue to fundraise throughout 2023 … Read more

Less than half of asset managers voting on biodiversity

The majority of asset managers lack biodiversity voting and engagement policies, ShareAction has found, although European managers are leading the way. The financial services NGO has today published the second half of its annual Point of No Returns report, which looks at the responsible investment governance and stewardship practices of 77 of the world’s largest … Read more

Parker Review expands ethnic minority targets for UK companies

FTSE 350 companies are being asked to set a percentage target for senior management positions that will be occupied by ethnic minority executives by 2027. The Parker Review, the independent, business-led review of ethnic minority representation at UK companies supported by the government, has published its findings from its 2022 census and set new targets for companies. … Read more