Head of Sustainable Investments at Royal London Asset Management, Mike Fox will discuss:

• Why the best days for sustainable investment are still to come
• Key sustainable themes and how they’re contributing to a cleaner, healthier, safer and more inclusive society
• The potential opportunities within sustainable investing and an outlook going ahead
  

In this panel discussion, fund selectors and investment experts come together to explore the evolving landscape of sustainable investing and its implications for fund selectors.

• How are ESG frameworks evolving and influencing investment decisions?
• How do you quantify the impact of these investments?
• What sustainable investment product innovations will drive the future investment landscape?
• Examining regulatory developments on investment practices and dynamics
  

Europe is the largest market for thematic funds in the World. Assets surged in the wake of the global pandemic and these once niche funds now represent around 6% of all equity fund assets in the region. Funds targeting themes with a sustainable angle have been some of the biggest winners. Assets in European Energy Transition funds grew by 6x over the three years to the end of 2023 and yet many investors have been left out of pocket. Thematic funds allow investors to make granular bets on emerging trends like solar or wind while reducing some of the risks connected with single stock investments. They can also be expensive, highly volatile and given their distinctive characteristics require additional due diligence from investors. In this session we will address some of the questions we are frequently asked about thematics and present a framework for evaluating these often poorly understood investments.

A quickfire focus on new funds, themes and sectors - why they were launched, what makes them stand out, their investment teams, key parts of the sustainable investment process, key positions at launch, engagement approach, and how they fit in investors' broader sustainable portfolios.

As the majority of UK defined-benefit pension schemes mature, trustees and sponsors of schemes are considering how best to navigate and approach their endgames. What are the options for endgame and what investment strategies should be considered?

Recognising the urgent need for action on climate change, we explore the latest on trustees' fiduciary duties, including the recent report of the Financial Markets Law Committee. Additionally, we examine the potential for future reform of fiduciary duties, particularly in light of the upcoming general election.

With a multi-trillion dollar annual SDG funding gap, significantly more capital needs to be allocated towards tackling the world’s most pressing challenges. Public equities present an opportunity to broaden the impact market. But this expansion also presents risks of impact and SDG-washing. Integrity is critical. We discuss this in the listed equity context and their role in driving positive change alongside competitive financial returns.

With a multi-trillion dollar annual SDG funding gap, significantly more capital needs to be allocated towards tackling the world’s most pressing challenges. Public equities present an opportunity to broaden the impact market. But this expansion also presents risks of impact and SDG-washing. Integrity is critical. We discuss this in the listed equity context and their role in driving positive change alongside competitive financial returns.

Emerging markets rely heavily on foreign private investment to finance their climate transition but, despite an ongoing boom in sustainable investment, investment funds are directing only a small share of allocations into emerging markets. This session explores the role of investment funds in financing a more sustainable growth in Emerging Markets, and the countries and sectors that provide the most potential.

Meaningful stewardship is a critical element of responsible investing and can be an essential driver of long-term value for clients’ portfolios. And with investors in favour of making their money matter, ETF Issuers’ approach to stewardship and ESG integration is increasingly under the spotlight. In this interactive session, Vincent Denoiseux, Head of ETF Investment Strategy at Amundi ETF, and Luda Svystunova from Amundi’s ESG Research team, will illustrate Amundi’s approach to stewardship and how we accompany investors on their transition.

Peering into the intricacies, we uncover the unseen. In the realm of sustainability, the devil is indeed in the details.

Unearthing opportunities in this field requires a keen eye for detail. One method to navigate this terrain is by examining the global megatrends that are moulding the investment horizon of the future. Yet, our team of investment experts at Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) doesn’t merely follow these trends blindly.

Our team’s ‘best in class’ approach, which focuses on generating alpha without factor-bias and through meticulous stock selection, enables us to pinpoint long-term opportunities that not only yield positive returns but also contribute positively to society and make a lasting impact for future generations.

Join us as Alex Bibani, our senior portfolio manager, guides us through the complex world of sustainable investing.

Join George Cliff, Director of Research at Clever, as he discusses the positive impact a rules-based and data-driven fund selection system can have on –

• The consistency of client outcomes over time.
• The confidence of the adviser in the decisions made over time.
• The confidence of both in the service more broadly.
  

The FCA’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) have been positively received by the industry to curb greenwashing and ensure that funds are accurately labelled. This session will explore what the new rules means for advisers, the usefulness (and limitations) of labels, how they sit with Consumer Duty requirements, and how this could affect investor behaviour. We will also explore what the FCA is looking for from advisers in this area and how this could evolve in the future. 

Daniel Godfrey, ASG Chair, sets out how the Group intends to support advisers in discussing and dealing with material sustainability risks with clients. The objectives are to help advisers with their long-term financial planning for clients, meet their regulatory obligations and pave the way for easy and straightforward access to the resources advisers need.

With a multi-trillion dollar annual SDG funding gap, significantly more capital needs to be allocated towards tackling the world’s most pressing challenges. Public equities present an opportunity to broaden the impact market. But this expansion also presents risks of impact and SDG-washing. Integrity is critical. We discuss this in the listed equity context and their role in driving positive change alongside competitive financial returns.