Fund managers have welcomed plans by the UK government to issue a first sovereign green bond next year, which is expected to bolster green infrastructure projects and move the country closer to its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

Mercer has launched climate transition analytics and advice for institutional investors who want to transition to a 1.5°C scenario of global warming as outlined in the Paris Agreement. 

BlackRock has launched the iShares Developed World Fossil Fuel Screened Equity Index Fund in close collaboration with Oxford University Endowment Management (OUem) to realise Oxford University’s commitment to divest its endowment from fossil fuel companies.
 

Neuberger Berman plans to ramp up its programme of disclosing proxy votes ahead of shareholder meetings next year, a practice that it hopes will encourage an open dialogue with its companies and clients.

RepRisk, a leading ESG data science firm combining machine learning and human intelligence, is working with JP Morgan to offer front-office decision makers access to ESG risk data through JP Morgan’s flagship multi-asset data and analytics platform, DataQuery.

Stocks with higher ESG ratings outperformed those with weaker ESG ratings in every month from January to September, other than April, according to new research by Fidelity International.

Doris Honold has joined the Board of Trustees of the Climate Bonds Initiative. Other trustees are: Paul Bodnar, Simon Cooper, Karl Mallon, Bryan Martell, Nicholas Silver and Professor Cynthia Williams.

A coalition of investors including Fidelity International, Aviva Investors, and Nomura, with a total of EUR1.8 trillion in assets under management, are calling on companies to end deforestation in their supply chain and improve transparency. 

Pension schemes looking to make a real impact on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues should target their efforts in order to deliver better outcomes, according to Willis Towers Watson.

By Stéphane Badey, Arendt – These are uncertain times, but three solid trends driving the Luxembourg investment funds market can be highlighted.