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Home About us Our Networks Asset Owners Network Asset Owners Network current activities

Asset Owners Network current activities

COLLECTIVE ACTION

Aligning ESG expectations in the bulk annuity process

Over the course of 2023, Accounting for Sustainability (A4S), The Church of England Pensions Board, and Railpen have worked together convening pension fund chairs, insurers, pension advisers and the regulatory community with the aim to better align expectations around sustainability within the bulk annuity process. This led to the development of a Sustainability Principles Charter for the bulk annuity process, which was launched early 2024. The Charter received signatories from all stakeholder groups, including members of the Asset Owners Network who represent DB schemes. 

ISSB Investor Statement

In response to the 2022 consultation for the proposed IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, created by the International Sustainability Standards Board, institutional investors called for decision-useful data that considers both environmental and social impacts on a company as well as the company’s impact on the environment and society. Alongside a statement from Chief Financial Officers, the signatories to the ‘Investor Response’ called on the IFRS Foundation to strengthen their inclusion of factors beyond those narrowly impacting enterprise value. The 16 signatories represented over £621 billion in assets under management.

Pension Fund Chair Net Zero Statement of Support

In 2021, the A4S Pension Fund Net Zero Statement of Support helped to amplify the need for institutional investors to play their part in the transition towards a net zero economy. The 19 pension fund chair signatories of the Statement, with a collective £422.3 billion assets under management, committed to setting a net zero goal within 12 months of signing.

Implementing recommendations of the FSB Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD)

In 2017, the A4S Asset Owners Network collectively signed a statement of support committing to work together towards adoption of the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Following this, the Network worked towards better and wider uptake of these recommendations both within their own schemes and through their engagement across the investment chain. This included feeding into the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) consultations as individual schemes and as a collective.

Developing the ESG Toolkit for Pension Scheme Chairs and Trustees

Members of the network help to shape the development of the guidance and case studies within the toolkit, sharing their insights and experiences. This includes our Top Tips for Pension Trustees series and a range of case studies covering challenges around fund allocation, engagement across the investment chain and TCFD reporting. Network members also road-tested the ESG Maturity Map, which is a tool that helps drive consensus within a board of trustees on where they are on their ESG integration journey and what their next steps could be. 

AN ESG TOOLKIT FOR PENSION CHAIRS AND TRUSTEES

Developed with the Asset Owners Network, this toolkit of resources supports chairs and trustees of pension schemes identify the practical steps to embedding ESG considerations into their investment decisions, reporting, and engagement across the investment chain. Consisting of practical examples, an ESG maturity map and guidance resources, the toolkit will support trustees in their discussions with fellow trustees, as well as consultants and fund managers, about steps they should take. 

Here

Pension Practical Examples

A4S captured some practical examples from pension schemes on ESG integration.

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Pension Guidance

A4S has produced guidance and other resources to help pension chairs and trustees embed ESG considerations into their investment decisions, reporting, and engagement across the investment chain.

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MATURITY MAP

Detailing what good looks like and enabling trustees to assess where they currently are and how they can advance to a leading position.

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MEET SOME OF THE NETWORK'S MEMBERS

LONDON - UK - 16th Nov 2017.Accounting for Sustainability A4S, CFO and Investor Session held at St James's Palace in London and hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales. Photograph by Ian Jones for A4S.

The network includes chairs of pension funds, their investment committees and pooling partners of defined benefit, defined contribution, single- and multi-employer schemes, from both the public and private sector.

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Q&A: A narrative approach to climate scenario analysis at USS

A Q&A with Mirko Cardinale, Head of Investment Strategy, discussing USS’s narrative-focused approach and how it is helping to shape investment strategy and decision making.

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Accounting for Sustainability is a Charitable Incorporated Organization, registered charity number 1195467. Accounting for Sustainability is part of the King Charles III Charitable Fund Group of Charities.
Registered Office: 9 Appold Street, 8th Floor, London, EC2A 2AP