The €9 billion ($10 billion) Dutch fund for disabled workers, PWRI, has introduced a proprietary index that tilts towards companies that prioritise workers’ rights and health and safety issues. It’s a revolutionary approach to reflect the fund’s distinctive ESG priorities and a guide for other investors wanting to prioritise the “s” in ESG.
New Zealand’s largest investors are urging Facebook, Google and Twitter to take more responsibility for what is published on their platforms, following the live-streaming and sharing on social media of last week’s Christchurch terror attacks. They are calling on other global investors to act with them.
The UK’s £2 billion Church of England Pension Board, the pension fund for church clergy has changed strategy, slashing its equity portfolio in favour of private markets in a bid to seek stronger returns, income and a shelter from equity volatility.
The $15 billion International Paper corporate pension fund may be on a de-risking glide path, but vice president of investments Robert Hunkeler proves there is still plenty of room for innovation, including portable alpha. All investments are outsourced.
In the next of this new regular series, we examine the relationships that evolved as Sweden’s AP2 decided to invest with local managers in China. The story examines the process for choosing and monitoring Chinese managers, and the burgeoning focus on sustainability in that market.
Ben Meng isn’t easing into his role. The new CIO of CalPERS faces three new board members, a stressed private equity program and executive turnover, all under the pressure of a 70 per cent funded status and a maturing membership at the $340 billion fund.
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The publication pushes the industry to question whether status quo processes and behaviours to tackle risks and opportunities will be sufficient in the future, and actively campaigns for diversity, sustainability, transparency, innovation and better alignment of fees in the investment industry.
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Sustainability Digital – March 2021