Ahren Lester

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.

Short selling can be effective ESG impact tool, says AIMA

Short selling can be an "effective tool" to mitigate carbon risks and can incentivise companies to improve their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, but data providers and regulators must also play their part, said a leading trade association.

Green and sustainability-linked loan round-up: M+S, Naturgy, UOL, Argent

Deutsche Bank's tightened fossil fuel policy judged 'unambitious'

Deutsche Bank has tightened its fossil fuel policy to include exiting from coal mining investments by 2025, strengthening its stance towards coal power and restricting oil and gas sector financing - but campaigners continued to criticise the lender for its lack of ambition.

US retirement plan proposals on ESG 'off-the-mark', says SASB

The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) has called on the US Department of Labor (DoL) to withdraw proposed retirement plan rule changes, which were accused of seeking to "tamp down" environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing.

EU recovery fund deal could boost green bond market: S&P

A massive potential 'green' debt issuance to fund the EU coronavirus (Covid-19) recovery plan could help crowd-in further green private capital to the market, S&P Global Ratings tells Ahren Lester.

Foresight validates wind farm in EU Taxonomy compliance push

Foresight has attained EU Taxonomy validation for its 231MW Swedish wind farm project, as it sets out to build one of the first Taxonomy-compliant investment funds.

ERAFP opens tender for €1bn multi-asset fund of funds

French pension fund ERAFP has launched a call for tenders for two new diversified fund of funds mandates for a portfolio worth a combined €1 billion ($1.15 billion).

Malaysia launches sustainable finance initiative

Capital Markets Malaysia (CMM) has launched an initiative to spur growth in sustainable financing following recommendations from the nation's securities regulator.

Green and sustainability-linked loan round-up: WDP, Suominen, Acerinox, Downing