Private credit will play a vital role in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.According to Rob Horn, global head of the Blackstone Credit Sustainable Resources Group, this role is set to get a whole lot bigger. Horn believes that credit will eventually supply as much as 60 per cent of the estimated $100 trillion needed to decarbonise economies around the world providing for a particularly attractive investment opportunity for private credit. An opportunity to drive attractive risk-adjusted returns, while potentially improving societal outcomes. In this exclusive fireside chat with Fiona Reynolds, chief executive of Conexus Financial and former head of the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment, Horn outlines Blackstone’s view on energy transition as a key investment theme for the firm; its approach to sustainable finance; and what is needed to encourage more institutional investors into this rapidly evolving space.
Divesting from the oil sector has been a boon for La Caisse’s performance, as the Canadian pension giant says its energy investments have earned billions in value-add compared to the benchmark since the inception of its climate strategy. Head of sustainability Bertrand Millot unpacks the fund’s approach in an interview with Top1000funds.com.
The Transition Pathway Initiative has grown quickly as a tool for asset owners and fund managers looking to plot their way toward a low-carbon economy – but there is more on its agenda. Scrutiny of more investors, expanded research and transparency in emerging markets are all on its to-do list.
More than 70 pension funds from The Netherlands have joined forces with the Dutch Government and trade unions for the Responsible Business Conduct Agreement – a pledge to work together to prevent their investment practices from harming society or the environment.
ESG relevance scores and ESG-dedicated sections in ratings commentaries are examples of how ratings agencies are addressing demand for analysis of such risk factors in fixed income, the PRI’s Carmen Nuzzo says. Managing data for good comparisons will be a challenge going forward.
Academics Gordon Clark and Ashby Monk have created 11 metrics that focus on meaningful and useful predictors of long-term performance. It’s a boon for investors struggling with the problem of appropriate measures for investing for the long term, a horizon where traditional benchmarks don’t always fit.
New research explores the possibility that a focus on social and environmental impact can boost financial returns, rather than hurt performance. ‘Societally driven alpha’ is being left on the table when investors myopically focus only on the business drivers of value.
A new guide, Climate Change for Asset Owners, provides case studies and other practical advice for how to get investor organisations focused on climate change, how to craft a related investment strategy and how to implement it. The publication includes content from 10 asset owners.
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