Fidelity International’s new Nature Roadmap outlines the asset manager’s approach to integrating nature into its sustainable investments and stewardship processes. The firm is a foundation member and signatory of the Finance for Biodiversity pledge, signifying its commitment to protecting and restoring biodiversity through their finance activities and investments. Jenn-Hui Tan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Fidelity International, said: “The loss of natural capital is a systematic risk to capital markets, and as such, prioritizing and contributing to the health and preservation of our biodiversity and ecosystems is essential.” The roadmap encompasses various actions, including robust governance oversight, integration of nature in proprietary ESG tools, and embedding nature in the firm’s sustainable investing framework. Fidelity’s commitment extends to policy engagement and system-wide stewardship, and includes a focus on deforestation. At COP26, the company signed the Financial Sector Commitment Letter on Eliminating Commodity-Driven Deforestation, aiming to eliminate such activities in investment strategies by 2025. Fidelity’s deforestation voting principles will come into effect in 2024, with companies in high-risk sectors facing votes against them if they fail to meet minimum deforestation-related practices and disclosure standards. “The launch of our Nature Roadmap, along with the application of our deforestation voting principles and guidelines, demonstrates our commitment to natural capital conservation,” added Tan.
