ESG factor identification, implementation and monitoring is now a fundamental part of setting pension scheme investment beliefs, according to investment consultants Redington.

At Minerva’s ESG Educational Event held recently in London, Honor Fell, Head of Responsible Investment at Redington, spoke about how investment consultants can best help pension funds with their new ESG-related responsibilities.

There have been a number of developments in the last year aimed at making asset stewards take more notice of Environmental, Social and Governance factors when making investment decisions. These developments include:

Honor’s view was that pension funds should expect their investment consultants to help them with their ESG journey by focussing on three simple steps: 

  1. Using consistent and clear definitions;
  2. Sharing the ‘art of the possible’ by delving into the consultant’s investment toolbox; and
  3. Providing a decision-making framework to guide clear actions & objectives.

By formally creating/reviewing ESG investment beliefs, Honor pointed out that going through the process highlights knowledge gaps, areas of alignment, and points of disagreement for Trustee boards. In clearly setting out ESG beliefs, asset stewards can simplify the terminology used, agree a common language to express their beliefs, and focus on what matters most to them and their scheme members.

However, Honor cautioned that investment beliefs are only truly valuable if they are ‘of good quality’, being clear, justifiable / evidence-based, and revisable; if they fit your needs; and if they are used, and are not a tick box ‘set and forget’ exercise.

For more information on how asset stewards can get to grips with their new ESG factor responsibilities, or to find out more about us, say hello@minerva.info

Last Updated: 13 December 2019
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