All articles by Vibeka Mair
Vibeka Mair
Climate scenarios: “Narratives eat modelling for breakfast”
Climate scenario analysis is gradually gaining traction despite pushback and disagreement over data and metrics. Some organisations and regulators are working on solutions and see more narrative context as key for producing meaningful forward-looking scenarios.
Exclusive: Stuart Kirk aired his climate risk views before Cop26
HSBC Global Asset Management may have known Stuart Kirk’s views on climate risk long before his infamous speech in May.
How climate change engagement can be effective
Whether to pursue climate change engagement or fossil fuel divestment is still subject to fierce debate. Some asset owners have a plan.
Fossil fuels: Funds slow to ditch passive assets
Asset managers’ exclusion policies on coal, oil and gas remain weak, new research indicates. As a result, actively managed funds may be reducing exposure to such assets, but investment via passive strategies is still substantial – with certain telling exceptions.
Ukraine unearths the intellectual limits of ESG today
When the need to act assertively is required, responsible investors have been found wanting. And those who don’t believe ethical investment is their bag are being dragged into the debate whether they like it or not.
Why asset owners are divided over off-the-shelf climate indices
Low-carbon indices are growing in popularity as investors seek to cut portfolio emissions. But some, such as Norway’s sovereign wealth fund and Swedish pension fund AP4, prefer different approaches. Here’s why.
Are financial firms afraid of climate scenario results?
The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures says corporate reporting on climate scenarios is improving but remains minimal. Asset managers say they want to see better models, but data providers suggest there may be more behind this resistance to greater disclosure.
Private equity firms pressured to step up on stewardship
Under fire for their lack of transparency and buying of out-of-favour fossil fuel assets, private equity managers are being urged by their clients and others to use their capital and clout more positively.
Pressure to heed UK pensions’ voting wishes builds
Hopes are rising that asset managers will become more open to implementing British pension schemes’ voting preferences in light of new, less prescriptive recommendations from a government-backed taskforce.
Investment experts urge tracking error rethink for net zero
Investors need to adopt a new approach to low-emission equity benchmarks if they are to achieve decarbonisation goals effectively, argue executives from State Street Global Advisors and S&P Global.