Independent Governance Group (IGG), a UK-based provider of pensions trusteeship and governance services, is introducing a Sustainability Charter, laying out actions it will take to highlight systemic investment risks posed by climate change and biodiversity loss. The charter also describes how IGG plans to work with clients and industry peers to promote sustainability, drive responsible investment and ensure that the long-term interests of members are best served. It includes promises to members as well as wider asks of advisers and asset managers. These pledges include recognising that systemic risks like climate change, biodiversity loss and inequality can pose threats to the value of members’ benefits, being transparent in its approach to sustainability and the way in which money is invested, and using the firm’s influence and voice in the industry to drive “meaningful and wide-ranging change”. IGG also called for industry collaboration to design common principles and approaches for assessing responsible investment. “As asset owners with significant amounts of capital, we play a pivotal role in the financial system and are in a privileged position to influence and drive real-world change. We do not take this role lightly and are committed to continually doing more with our advisers and asset managers to act in the best long-term interests of members, society and the environment,” said Tegs Harding, Head of Sustainability. IGG works with more than 450 pension schemes with a combined asset value of approximately £375 billion.
