Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) has unveiled the Legal & General Future World ESG Developed Fossil Fuel Exclusions Index Fund, a new investment opportunity designed in partnership with the National Trust, Europe’s largest conservation charity. This fund aims to assist investors in meeting their commitments to divest from fossil fuels, providing exposure to UK and global equities while incorporating ESG tilts to LGIM-designed indices. To be included in the LGIM-designed ESG indices, companies must meet specific minimum global criteria. The fund will adhere to a strict exclusion policy that considers any direct investments incompatible with the strategy’s ESG criteria. As a result, companies with a carbon reserve intensity above 0%, including those in the energy, mining, and utilities sectors, will be excluded. The fund also incorporates LGIM’s Climate Impact Pledge, which targets the acceleration of companies’ efforts to address climate change and transition to a low-carbon economy. Mark Johnson, Head of Institutional Clients at LGIM, said: “We are seeing demand from charities and universities to divest from fossil fuels, as they respond to expectations from increasingly sustainability conscious donors and students. This partnership reaffirms LGIM’s purpose to use our scale and expertise across indexing and investment stewardship to provide innovative, cost-effective portfolio solutions for charities and institutions. We are dedicated to helping enable charities and institutions generate financial returns, whilst investing in line with their respective missions.”
