Steering a $100bn US state pension fund to net zero
At $96 billion in assets, the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System is one of the largest public pension funds in the US. As of this year, it is also one of the few to have been handed a legal mandate to manage climate risk in its investments.
In this episode, Oregon state treasurer Elizabeth Steiner discusses the state's new legislation on climate investment, the challenges and trade-offs of steering a giant portfolio towards net zero, and the conversations the fund is having with portfolio companies and asset managers over their climate rollbacks.
Steiner spent over a decade as an Oregon state senator before being elected treasurer last year. Her responsibilities include running the state's debt management operations and savings programmes, as well as managing its pension funds and other investments.
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EU Omnibus: What's at stake for the bloc's sustainability rules this autumn?
After a turbulent first half of the year following the release of the EU's sustainability Omnibus, Brussels is back in session and gearing up for a busy autumn of discussions and decisions on how to simplify a number of sustainable finance regulations.
Formal negotiations between EU lawmakers are expected to kick off shortly on proposed changes to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), while a consultation on the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) will close at the end of this month.
It comes as the European Commission last month promised the US that it will make efforts to ensure its corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence rules do not impose “undue restrictions” on transatlantic trade.
In this episode, senior reporter Fiona McNally – who has been on the ground in Brussels – talks to deputy editor Elza Holmstedt Pell about the biggest things to watch for as the future of EU sustainability and green rules are determined.
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A field guide to responsible investing
In this episode, we are joined by Amy O'Brien, global head of responsible investing at asset manager Nuveen.
She joins us to discuss her new book, A Field Guide to Responsible Investing: Asset Management in the Age of Polycrises. Drawing from her three decades of experience in responsible investment, the book "takes readers on a journey of the evolution of responsible investing, how it works today, why it’s integral to investment considerations, and how we can finally get a grip on its efficacy."
This episode covers data dilemmas, what critics get right – and wrong – about responsible investment, what might help bridge the divide, and Amy's thoughts on the future of the responsible investment industry.
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The ESG arms race: How responsible investors are navigating defence
Increasing geopolitical uncertainty and the USA's decreasing reliability as an ally has triggered a massive boost in global defence spending.
As investment managers and asset owners look to capitalise on the new opportunities, this has led to a wave of fund launches and changes to exclusions policies across the market.
In this episode, senior reporter Dominic Webb talks to deputy editor Elza Holmstedt Pell about the latest developments in the market, the regulatory backdrop and how ESG investors are changing their minds on defence.
Recent RI defence-related coverage includes:
French and passive investors make up most Article 9 defence investments
UK government and business call on investors to review defence exclusions
ESG exclusions not preventing European defence investments, say French investors
Pressure grows on UK LGPS funds over Israel divestment
Defence round-up: Sector ‘generally incompatible’ with use-of-proceeds bonds, says Principles chair
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Unpacking the EU's sustainable finance simplification agenda
The past six months have been dominated by EU sustainable finance regulatory developments, following the bloc's push to simplify and roll back several of the rules issued under its 2019 Green Deal.
On this episode, we are joined by Helena Viñes Fiestas, commissioner at Spanish regulator CNMV and former chair of the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance.
Having worked in sustainable finance for more than a decade, she talks us through her thoughts on the ongoing sustainable finance regulatory developments and what outcomes she is hoping for amid efforts to simplify the rules.
The Responsible Investor Podcast delves into the latest developments and debates in sustainable investment. Hear our award-winning journalists and influential industry guests share their insights on topics such as net-zero, transition finance, biodiversity and nature, regulation, and ESG data and disclosure.
Listen to The Responsible Investor Podcast, The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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