The challenge of achieving net zero presents a complex range of issues for pension providers and financial institutions alike. With COP26 now less than four weeks away, financial institutions are coming under increasing pressure to commit to net zero targets. Pension providers must therefore accelerate action towards meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Last Tuesday on the 28th September, GEFI were delighted to marked the official launch of our Pension Providers and the Path to Net Zero Policy Paper. You can read the report here.
The webinar explored some of the key issues facing pension providers around Net Zero, including the all-important question of whether to make ambitious commitments and seek to live up to them, or remain cautious and focus on what is practically achievable. During the session, lead author Natalie Jackson (GEFI) presented key takeaways from the Paper before facilitating a discussion between industry experts David Hickey (Lothian Pension Fund) and Eva Cairns (Aberdeen Standard Investments) who presented on key topics relevant findings for pension providers. The presentations were followed by a lively audience Q&A where issues such as decarbonisation, offsets and practical action points for professionals in financial services and local government pension schemes alike.
You can watch a recap of Natalie’s Presentation here
You can watch a recap of Eva’s Presentation here
You can watch a recap of David’s Presentation here
You can also listen to the paper author Natalie Jackson give a radio interview to Good Morning Scotland on BBC Scotland
We are also delighted to invite you to join us during COP26 in Glasgow on Tuesday 9th November at Kelvin Gallery, University of Glasgow, for our Net Zero Pensions Summit. The event will showcase best practice and provide practical guidance for pension providers to ensure that the pensions we pay are worth more in a world worth living in. Following the digital launch of the Net Zero Policy Positioning Paper in September 2021, and in anticipation of our Net Zero Transition Roadmap launch (late October), this Summit, held in partnership with abrdn, will explore the urgent action required by pension providers and ensure they play a key role in addressing the existential threat of climate change. The Summit will showcase best practice and provide practical guidance for pension providers to ensure that the pensions we pay are worth more in a world worth living in.
Confirmed Speakers Include:
- Barry O’Dwyer, Chief Executive, Royal London
- Faith Ward, Chief Responsible Investment Officer, Brunel Pension Partnership
- David Russell, Head of Responsible Investment, Universities Superannuation Scheme
- Eva Cairns, Head of Climate Change Strategy, Aberdeen Standard Investments