All articles by Vibeka Mair
Vibeka Mair
Blended finance: Investors flag serious shortfalls
During a private round table last month, market participants outlined frustrations over trying to arrange blended finance deals with the IFC and other official agencies.
Investors adopt impact principles amid ESG backlash
Interest in impact investing is growing, but so are concerns over false claims being made by institutions in this area. Increasing adoption and verification of best practice around impact measurement and management can only help.
Climate reporting: Auditors are failing to play their part
Investors and global standard-setters are pushing for the inclusion of climate risk disclosure in financial accounts, but some feel auditing firms are not pulling their weight.
Calls rise for ESG sector data, while carbon price hopes fade
Efforts to standardise sustainability disclosure are gaining momentum, but investors say more sector-specific information would be useful for both climate reporting and carbon pricing. And some dismiss the likelihood of a global agreement on the latter.
UK public pensions fear curbs on ethical investing
British local government pension schemes are facing a new law that could limit their ability to make investment decisions on ethical grounds, amid rising politicisation globally of how public institutions allocate their capital.
Railpen sets pace on pension member engagement
The UK pension plan is leading the way in communicating to its members about sustainability issues within investment. Such activity helps drive engagement and trust and can given them a stronger mandate for making allocation decisions and influencing companies.
Aviva, Railpen and Temasek urge more ESG policy engagement
Investors are increasingly engaging with and pressuring governments on ESG policy, with insurers, pension schemes and sovereign wealth funds arguing that rule makers should be doing more on sustainability – particularly on environmental matters.
Why old-age care is overlooked by investors
The greying of the global population is exacerbating the shortfall in financing for elderly care in many countries, including developed nations such as Britain. It is seen as an opportunity that investors are overlooking, and some pension executives are seeking to address the issue.
Russia exclusions raise tough questions for passive investing
Most major index providers and passive fund managers have removed Russia from their products following the invasion of Ukraine. Could or should they be doing the same with fossil fuel-related assets, as some campaigners and investors argue?
Under-fire investment consultants strive to up their ESG game
The UK’s hugely influential pension consulting industry, criticised for providing inadequate advice on ESG investing and engagement, is working to develop its capabilities on this front, with an initial focus on climate.