As reported in European Pensions, the Environment Agency Pension Fund, along with 18 other European pension funds, has been included in the Principles for Responsible Investment’s (PRI) Leaders’ Group 2019. PRI is a UN-backed network of investors working toward the promotion of sustainable investment. The Leaders’ Group was chosen from PRI’s list of signatories, based on an assessment of managers’ ESG credentials and investment strategies, as well as factors like capacity, governance and incorporation of ESG factors into investment decisions.

The Environment Agency Pension Fund manages around £3.5bn in assets, with three employers participating in the fund: the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and Shared Services Connected Limited. The fund made the news in June for its participation in a coalition of 88 investors demanding companies like BP disclose environmental impact information. The Environment Agency Pension Fund was also instrumental in setting up the Transition Pathway Initiative with the Church of England National Investing Bodies. The initiative assesses companies’ efforts in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. The recognition from the UN-supported PRI adds to the fund’s global status as a sustainable investment leader.

The other European pension funds to gain a spot in the Leaders’ Group are: AP1, AP2, AP5, BT Pension Scheme, Caisse des Depots et Consignations, the Church Pension Fund, ERAFP, Fonds de Réserve pour les Retraites, Ircantec, Strathclyde Pension Fund, TPT Retirement Solutions, Universities Superannuation Scheme and Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company.

The 47 signatories that made up the list have been congratulated by PRI for their responsible investment work in selecting, appointing and monitoring external managers in listed and/or private equity.

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