At ESG Investor, we’ve been counting down to COP26 by asking leading sustainable investing experts for their views on how this critical summit is likely to shape the efforts of asset owners to address climate-related risks and opportunities.

Certain key topics – including carbon pricing, net zero commitments and climate-related disclosures – have arisen more than once, but each interviewee provides a unique perspective, while maintaining a common focus on the priorities of asset owners as they look to decarbonise their portfolios.

UKSIF CEO James Alexander highlights some of the missing elements the host country will look to fill in the last weeks before the Glasgow summit, and discusses the priorities for institutional investors in accelerating the mobilisation of climate finance and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Published by ESG Investor on 1 September 2021

Adam Matthews, Chief Responsible Investment Officer for the Church of England Pensions Board, offers an optimist’s view of the prospects for more coordinated climate change policy at COP26. He also considers asset owners’ key priorities in the run-up to the Glasgow summit and explains how climate risks are factored into the CofE PB’s approach to sustainable investment.

Published by ESG Investor on 15 September 2021

Fiona Reynolds, CEO of the Principles for Responsible Investment, encourages investors, corporates and governments to set ambitious interim targets ahead of COP26, in response to recent IPCC calls to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to support 2050 net-zero goals.

Published by ESG Investor on 30 September 2021

Arne Staal, CEO of FTSE Russell, underlines the “critical” importance of COP26 negotiators optimising their time in Glasgow to further international cooperation, thereby supporting private sector efforts to provide frameworks and guidance for investors who are increasingly motivated by climate and other sustainability factors.

Published by ESG Investor on 30 September 2021

Günther Thallinger, Allianz Board Member and Chair of the UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, discusses the measures that policymakers are expected to prioritise at COP26, including coordination on carbon pricing, as well as the efforts of investors to streamline their engagement with corporates as they decarbonise their portfolios.

Published by ESG Investor on 14 October 2021

Eva Cairns, Head of Climate Change Strategy, abrdn, highlights the tools and approaches available to asset owners looking to decarbonise the assets in their portfolios and invest in climate-positive solutions, while also calling for support from policymakers at COP26 to further drive capital reallocation.

Published by ESG Investor on 14 October 2021