“Practical Pathway” from Deforestation for UK Pensions 

Make My Money Matter (MMMM), a UK-based environmental non-profit group, has launched new guidance outlining how pension funds can remove deforestation, conversion and associated human rights abuses from their portfolios. To achieve deforestation-free pensions, the guidance’s steps consist of mapping risks, setting an effective policy, monitoring and engaging, disclosing, and eventually eliminating deforestation, conversion and associated human rights abuses. There is currently £300 billion in capital from UK pensions linked to deforestation, MMMM said, noting that 77% of British savers would be unhappy if they discovered their pension is funding deforestation.  The guide was co-created by MMMM, SystemIQ and Global Canopy and received further input from a working group of 12 pension funds, including the Environment Agency Pension Fund, Nest, and Scottish Widows. Huw Davies, MMMM’s Senior Finance Officer, said: “We now need to see pension funds embrace this guidance and set about tackling deforestation with an urgency befitting the crisis that the world’s forests face.”  

The practical information hub for asset owners looking to invest successfully and sustainably for the long term. As best practice evolves, we will share the news, insights and data to guide asset owners on their individual journey to ESG integration.

Copyright © 2023 ESG Investor Ltd. Company No. 12893343. ESG Investor Ltd, Fox Court, 14 Grays Inn Road, London, WC1X 8HN

To Top