The announcements that asset manager giants have left the Climate Action 100+ (CA100+) initiative has caused responsible investors to review positions in their funds, while others have said the move is “not surprising” for passive players. On Thursday (16 February), Reuters reported JP Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM) and State Street Global Advisors will not be … Read more

It’s little over a month since provisional agreement was reached on the text of the highly anticipated Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Since then, the pace quickened, with the EU releasing a final draft in the past few days, in anticipation of a ratification vote, only to have the brakes applied after Estonia, Finland, … Read more

AXA Investment Managers has launched a global bond fund aimed at decarbonisation, with investment consulting firm Aon providing seed capital of £127m. The fund, dubbed the AXA ACT Carbon Transition Global Short Duration Bond fund, will be led by Nicolas Trindade, who currently manages near £2bn for AXA IM in global and sterling liquid fixed … Read more

Never has it been more necessary for us, especially investors with a sustainability view of the world, to be able to spot the difference between a genuine solution to a sustainability problem and a red herring. We are bombarded with claims about how ‘green’ businesses are, or how a certain technology will save the planet. … Read more

Investor engagement with oil and gas companies has achieved “derisory” results and must be radically improved, including by voting down directors, according to an open letter NGO Reclaim Finance sent to 50 large investment firms yesterday. The letter stated investors ought to vote against strategic routine resolutions, suspend new investments and make public statements for … Read more

Corporates’ annual general meetings (AGMs) are a time for investors and their stewardship strategies to shine. ESG Clarity asked industry professionals to find out what they expect – and what they hope – to see this AGM season. Louisiana Salge, EQ Investors head of sustainability, is not feeling hugely optimistic about how asset managers will use … Read more

Tomohiro Ikawa, head of engagement in Japan at Fidelity International, explains how the team is applying the firm’s sustainable commitments in the region, discusses a success story from the fund and reveals areas of focus going into 2024. Fidelity have just released its approach to four sustainable commitments for 2024. These are nature loss, climate … Read more

Stewart Investors has announced the launch of the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) Investor Network, a collaborative engagement project of which it is founding member. The network brings together investment industry stakeholders to advance responsible sourcing and mining by giving investors access to due diligence tools and collaborative opportunities. Reflective of Stewart Investors’ commitment to promoting … Read more

Liontrust has added investment analyst Connor Godsell and equity analyst Linnea Bengtsson to its sustainable investment team, to its now 18-strong team. Peter Michaelis is head of the team, which includes seven members with a fixed income focus. Godsell will join the Edinburgh office while Bengtsson will be based in London. See also: – Liontrust’s … Read more

Investors with a long-term view understand a company’s ability to deliver financial results, and therefore investment returns, depends on its ability to manage physical climate and biodiversity risks, while navigating future regulation and shifting consumer tastes. It’s a key reason for engagement on climate, nature and human rights. Without effective stewardship of portfolios, risks can … Read more