Archive

15 major investors back HSBC vote on fossil fuel phase-out plan

'Double materiality' splits market in IFRS sustainability standards consultation

IFRS sustainability standards could create 'additional fragmentation'

The IFRS Foundation has been warned that if it does not support the work of existing standard setters, its proposals to develop consolidated international sustainability reporting standards could lead to "additional fragmentation in an already crowded ecosystem".

BlackRock promises 2021 climate vote record improvement

BlackRock has announced it intends to vote more regularly for shareholder proposals on climate action, rather than relying on engagement as it had done in the past.

BlackRock, Vanguard climate and social voting records continue to disappoint

Asset managers' proxy voting record on shareholder resolutions for climate and social issues continued to disappoint in 2020, according to a report by ShareAction, with US giants BlackRock, Vanguard and Capital Group among the worst performers.

Asset manager taskforce calls on bondholders to assert their rights

A UK government-initiated taskforce has announced recommendations to strengthen sustainable stewardship in the UK investment industry, including encouraging investors to assert their rights in the bond and private markets.

UK lawmakers urged to strengthen ESG focus of pension funds

UK legislators were urged to back a law to compel managers of the £2.8 trillion ($3.6 trillion) in pension fund assets to consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors as part of their fiduciary duty to clients, including through the creation of a Scandinavian-style ethics council.

News Round Up: HSBC financing criticised, GE net-zero pledge, TPI growth surge

UK pension fund shifts half its assets amid tightened climate policy

UK pension fund Nest has strengthened its climate change policy as it targets net-zero carbon emission by 2050, divesting from coal and other controversial fossil fuels and diverting almost half its assets to 'green' investments.

Major European banks provided large-scale financial support to coal industry

European banks including Barclays, BNP Paribas and Societe Generale loaned billions of euros to coal companies across the EU in 2019, according to a report.