Fund EcoMarket
the sustainable, responsible and ethical investment information hub
the sustainable, responsible and ethical investment information hub
I am running rather late with blogs at the moment as there is so much happening – but felt it important to flag the news that the FCA is looking into the area of ESG/SRI in Q1 2019 – as part of their response to the Law Commission’s review of Pensions and Social Investment. None […]
For those wishing to respond to the current DWP Pension scheme trustee consultation, which will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the way DC schemes view SRI/ESG/Impact investment, here is the link to the current consultation: ‘Consultation on clarifying and strengthening trustees’ investment duties’. Occupational Pension Schemes (Investment and Disclosure) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 In brief, […]
Investment Life and Pensions Moneyfacts magazine’s front page piece this month is devoted to ‘sustainable, responsible and ethical investment’. The editorial, which you can read here focuses on the shifts in regulation that have been a lightbulb moment for investors – who are increasingly recognising the importance of environmental and social issues. The article includes a […]
This morning, 18 June 2018, the Government published its final response to the 2017 Law Commission report on pension funds and social investment. The following information was published today by UKSIF (whilst I was working on our MiFID2 response*!): “The foreword is written by Guy Opperman MP, Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion, and Tracey Crouch MP, Minister for […]
EU proposals to include ESG as part of investment and advice processes. 20 June 2018 Update: Our published response can be found here. ===== On 24 May 2018 the EU published draft recommendations proposing the inclusion of ESG within the obligatory advice process as part of their ongoing work supporting the growth of Sustainable Finance. Their draft […]
Yesterday was a big day for those of us who care about how investment and financial services impact the world we live in. The following is a direct ‘cut and paste’ version of a press released issued by the European Commission, complete with links. The potential implications of this are very significant for all in […]
The issue of plastics is never far from our screens at the moment and the public outcry following Blue Planet 2 last year was pretty much unprecedented… Addressing this challenge will take time and needs the support of fund managers and other investors if we are to encourage companies to change what they do within the […]
My newsletters seem to be becoming increasingly rare … however one was eventually finalised and issued today! You can read about Fund EcoMarket updates and SRI news via today’s newsletter here. Topics include recent article links, news and the date of our next Good Money Week event! Happy browsing!
The Green Finance Taskforce published a highly significant (100 page) report on 28 March 2018. The report, which aims to help accelerate ‘green finance’ in the UK , can be downloaded here. The government landing page introduces the report as follows: “In September 2017, the government asked leading finance expert and former Mayor of London Sir Roger Gifford to chair […]
The FCA issued a discussion paper today on ‘Transforming Culture in Financial Services’ – DP18/2. I have written and spoken on this topic many times – as I too believe that retail financial services would benefit from a cultural shift. My concern is that the financial services system as it stands is not particularly conducive to recognising the importance […]
On 8 March 2018 the EU published its response to the Sustainable Finance HLEG (High Level Expert Group) report issued in January. Go to the new EU Sustainable Finance information here. The report is accompanied by an action plan and an event which will be live streamed on 22 March. I am yet to digest the report, however […]
With rapidly growing interest in the area of how investments can have a positive impact I was recently asked by FTAdviser to write a brief article on this topic. In case you missed it amidst all the weather inflicted chaos last week you can view the full article here, or read the text below. ===== Ethical/SRI February […]
The EU High Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance published by far the most welcome document I have seen in a very long time (if ever) at the end of January this year. The HLEG, which comprised 20 experts (6 of whom were from the UK) has brought together a range of proposals that relate to the […]
Our long overdue inSRI newsletter which was sent out today is available here. It includes a range of information, tips and links on the following: Government reviews that are relevant to SRI Industry developments Fund news Fund EcoMarket updates and reminders, downloads Event information (Quilter Cheviot and Transparency Taskforce) A request for comment on how we can improve […]
As readers may already know the government has said it is committed to supporting the hugely diverse (and essential) area of ‘Green Finance’. Part of the process of developing this area involves calling for input in the form of a government inquiry. Written responses were requested for submission by 3 January – they can now be found here. […]
My latest article in Investment Life and Pensions Moneyfacts looks at some of the key messages from UKSIF’s Good Money Week 2017.
It also talks through some of the very different ways investors can offer ‘good’ options for investors, the changing SRI/ESG regulatory backdrop, some thoughts on ‘impact’, the UN SDGs and the great ‘labels and taxonomies’ debate.
Pension funds and social investment: interim (government) response – 18 December 2017 SRI Services welcomes today’s report, which we view as taking pension schemes a step closer to being better able to meet the ‘Big 3’ (very different, but none the less important) ‘sustainable, responsible and ethical’ client/member aims, which believe are: to better reflect personal ethical values, to make sound […]
12 points from our response to the DWP consultation into ‘where DC schemes invest’
The following points are a boiled down version of our response to the DWP’s recent consultation on the topic of: ‘Where DC pension schemes invest’
A major new report (the Corley Review) has been published considering how the UK can increase investment in ways that have positive social impacts. This welcome report includes 53 recommendations – calls to action for government and the investment community. The report was prepared by an independent advisory group chaired by Elizabeth Corley, Vice Chair Allianz […]
DWP consultation: Disclosure of costs, charges and investments in DC schemes In October the Department for Work and Pensions issued the above consultation. Although focused on costs and charges this consultation is relevant to sustainable, responsible and ethical fund options as it also discusses making it easier for members to find out a bit more about where their schemes invest (both those using […]
I am delighted to share an article that Libby Ashby from Citywire has kindly written about our ‘Screened, Themed and Engaged 2017’ event which she attended. This article was published in Citywire’s Wealth Manager magasine today (3 November 2017). Libby Ashby asks: When will ESG be fully integrated into mainstream investing? Last month […]
Last week we held our annual Good Money Week event at the Museum of London. The event was a great success, well attended and well received. Formal proceedings included presentations from Simon Howard (UKSIF), Guy Turner (Trove Research) and myself (Julia Dreblow) as well as five round table sessions with fund managers (listed below) and a panel […]
With Good Money Week about to start now seems like a fitting time to mention some of the positive work taking place in government and beyond that are likely to drive progress in SRI – sustainable, responsible and ethical investment – over the coming year. (In the interest of sanity I will stay away from commenting on wider political […]
I am delighted to announce that Fund EcoMarket has been shortlisted as a finalist for the following award: The Investment Week (Incisive Media) award category is ‘Sustainable Investment’ – Award for Innovation (Non-Fund). Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 17 November. Further details about the award ceremony, (now in its 10th year!), can be found here.
This month saw the publication of two SRI/ethical investment articles in ‘Investment Life and Pensions Moneyfacts’ magazine. One was written by Moneyfacts editor Richard Eagling, the other by myself. See here for the ILP Moneyfacts annual ethical and SRI fund survey – Ethical Funds Survey July 2017 See here for my climate risk article (and in particular […]
I have Raj Thamothram of Preventable Surprises to ‘thank’ for bringing this shocker of a story to my attention. In brief – this is a tale of the investment markets rewarding a company for turning its back on green issues and attempting to turn back the clock. There is much to say and many questions to ask – including how […]
I am delighted to announce that Fund EcoMarket is a finalist in the ‘Best ESG/SRI Research’ Investment Week Awards category 2017. As much as we would love to win … given my knowledge of the quality and commitment of CDP, EQ Investors and EdenTree I truly don’t envy the judges! Taking my Fund EcoMarket hat off, for just a moment, I can […]
The EU has recently published its High Level Expert Group (HLEG) Sustainable Finance interim report. This ambitious and significant report covers issues ranging from financing greener infrastructure to the labelling SRI funds. Although mainly aimed at institutions the implication is that the final recommendations will also impact individual (retail) investors. The EU plans to start implementing changes at the start of 2018 […]
Reports in the FT and elsewhere today announce the important news that SwissRe now integrates Environmental, Social and Governance issues across all their equity and fixed income investment assets. They are doing so by using benchmarks based on the highly regarded MSCI ESG methodology. The first section of the SwissRe media release (from their website) is reproduced […]
The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure has today issued its much heralded final report the purpose of which is to establish a framework for company reporting that will enable investors to better assess and manage climate risk. The Financial Stability Board, chaired by Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney set up the TCFD (Task Force […]
Following the success of our ‘sold out’ event last year we are currently work on the plans for ‘Screened, Themed and Engaged 2017’ . This year’s Fund EcoMarket & sriServices ‘Good Money Week’ event for financial advisers and industry professionals will be held in Central London on the afternoon of 19 October. Attendees will hear from – and have the […]
We are delighted to welcome the Law Commission review of ‘Pensions & Social Investment’ published June 2017. This important review, whilst not fully digested yet, appears to support and even advance the view that social, as well as other related ethical and environmental considerations should form part of our pensions investment landscape and decision making. You can […]
Actuaries sent risk warning by professional body (IFoA) regarding material risk of climate change for pension schemes and other clients.
Earlier blogs by Julia Dreblow of sriServices can be found on the www.sriServices.co.uk website, accessible directly via this link.
I am running rather late with blogs at the moment as there is so much happening – but felt it important to flag the news that the FCA is looking into the area of ESG/SRI in Q1 2019 – as part of their response to the Law Commission’s review of Pensions and Social Investment. None […]
For those wishing to respond to the current DWP Pension scheme trustee consultation, which will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the way DC schemes view SRI/ESG/Impact investment, here is the link to the current consultation: ‘Consultation on clarifying and strengthening trustees’ investment duties’. Occupational Pension Schemes (Investment and Disclosure) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 In brief, […]
Investment Life and Pensions Moneyfacts magazine’s front page piece this month is devoted to ‘sustainable, responsible and ethical investment’. The editorial, which you can read here focuses on the shifts in regulation that have been a lightbulb moment for investors – who are increasingly recognising the importance of environmental and social issues. The article includes a […]