Accelerating change for a better tomorrow
Real change requires a radical overhaul of the world economy. As a firm committed to building a sustainable world, we structure our investment research, company engagement, and macro stewardship activities around three key pillars: People, Earth and Climate. These represent what we believe to be the biggest sustainability challenges in the world today, namely social inequality, biodiversity loss and climate change.
Our Sustainable Transition range targets opportunities linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that support and accelerate the transition to a sustainable future towards a socially just, nature positive and net zero economy. We offer solutions across asset classes designed to deliver financial returns and positive outcomes for People, Climate and Earth.
People
Investing in Social Transition to accelerate towards a socially just economy
Social inequality in its multiple guises such as income, race and gender pose a systemic risk to society and the wider economy.
Climate
Investing in Climate Transition to accelerate towards a net zero economy
The scale and urgency of change needed to address climate change and ensure global greenhouse gas emissions are aligned with a 1.5 degrees Celsius pathway will impact every part of the global economy.
Earth
Investing in Natural Capital Transition to accelerate towards a nature positive economy
The risks associated with biodiversity loss and the erosion of nature are frequently overlooked by the market. This often results in the mispricing of companies with significant impacts or dependences on nature.
Transition strategies in focus
Global megatrends: How climate, nature and social change will reshape economies
Climate change, natural resource scarcity and social shifts are transforming the corporate landscape. Investors need to understand the implications of these sustainability megatrends to manage risks and seize opportunities.
Transitioning to a more sustainable future: How investors can help drive change
How the world is financed and powered; how complex ecosystems are maintained and resources shared all need to be radically transformed. Here, we set out our approach to supporting a sustainable transition across people, climate and Earth.
Mind the gap: An estimate of climate finance needs by developing countries to fund their NDC commitments
It is helpful to know how far we need to jump in order to land safely. Mind the gap provides a comprehensive overview and analysis of the costs of climate change mitigation and adaptation commitments under the Paris Agreement for developing countries. It looks at the gaps and challenges, offering policy and institutional recommendations.
Supply and demand: Tackling both sides of the carbon emissions equation
Despite progress through our Climate Engagement Escalation Programme, more action is needed from the world’s 30 systemically important carbon emitters, as Sora Utzinger and Louise Wihlborn explain.
Strengths
Complex sustainability challenges cannot be addressed by investing in solutions opportunities alone. A broader cross-section approach to transition is required to maximise long-term return while seeking positive outcomes. Our leading approach to sustainable transition is applied consistently across asset classes and leverages the following key strengths:
Backing transition
Proprietary frameworks identify best-in-class companies who are setting best practice in their sectors and supporting the transition alongside companies whose solutions are driving the transition.
Investing with purpose
Delivering returns and positive outcomes through capital allocation, bespoke engagement and market reform.
Specialist teams
Climate, earth and social experts working alongside portfolio managers and dedicated market reform specialists.
Key risks
For further information on the risks and risk profiles of our strategies, please refer to the relevant KIID and Prospectus.
Investment risk
The value of an investment and any income from it can go down as well as up and can fluctuate in response to changes in currency and exchange rates. Investors may not get back the original amount invested.
Illiquid securities risk
Certain assets held in the strategies could, by nature, be hard to value or to sell at a desired time or at a price considered to be fair (especially in large quantities), and as a result their prices could be very volatile.
Credit risk
Bond values are affected by changes in interest rates and the bond issuer's creditworthiness. Bonds that offer the potential for a higher income typically have a greater risk of default.
A globally integrated team with extensive experience
Sam Tripuraneni
Head of Sustainable Outcomes
Rick Stathers
Climate Lead
Eugenie Mathieu
Earth Lead
Vaidehee Sachdev
Social Lead
Daniel McHugh
Chief Investment Officer
Caroline Hedges
Global Head of Credit
Darryl Murphy
Managing Director, Infrastructure
The world is too interconnected to think small
Building a more sustainable future takes a wider, more meaningful, and joined-up approach.
It takes commitment and partnership across the interconnected challenges facing People, Climate, and Earth.
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CEO Mark Versey on sustainability – Aviva Investors
13 Jun 2023
It's one thing to make a change; it's another to make a difference.
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Making a difference in corporate sustainable transition
18 Apr 2023
Moving towards a more sustainable world takes investing in companies transitioning towards more sustainable practices.
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Making a difference through director accountability
18 Apr 2023
Tackling sustainable issues takes holding directors personally responsible for their company's sustainability failures.
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Making a difference in the use of hazardous chemicals
18 Apr 2023
Reducing the damage caused by hazardous chemicals takes holding chemical companies to account through public rankings.
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Making a difference on antimicrobial resistance
18 Apr 2023
Supporting antibiotic development takes a powerful financial coalition lobbying for reform at the G7.
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Making a difference with natural carbon removal
8 Sep 2022
Going down a more direct path to net zero takes investing in the power of natural solutions.
Our responsible investment views
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Real Assets
Building better: Opportunities for DC schemes to invest in the climate transition through real assets
22 Mar 2024
By investing in climate-aligned real assets, defined-contribution pension schemes can help propel the transition to a more sustainable future while also benefiting from portfolio diversification and attractive risk-adjusted returns, says Mark Meiklejon.
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Equities
The war on bugs: Climate change contributes to growth in the pest-control industry
13 Mar 2024
Pest control has become a growing priority for city residents and authorities all year round, as rising temperatures and other factors boost the populations of many pest species. But in creating adaptation solutions, the sector could also represent a long-term investment opportunity.
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Equities
Multi-asset allocation views: What’s behind Japan’s stock-market sugar rush?
8 Mar 2024
Following unsuccessful attempts in the past, the Japanese government’s structural reforms now seem to be bearing fruit. This has contributed to a record high on the Japanese stock-market, but is it sustainable?
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Fixed income
Credit spreads and climate solutions: The outlook for climate-focused bond investors
8 Feb 2024
For the first time in three years, interest rates should no longer be a headwind for credit markets in 2024, but other forms of uncertainty may affect climate-aware bond investors. Our credit experts discuss the key themes they expect to play out over the coming months.
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Responsible Investing
Common ground: Earning a social licence to operate in real asset investing
18 Jan 2024
Successful real asset investing requires acceptance of asset managers’ practices and procedures from a variety of stakeholders. We explore what this means for managers, their clients and investment outcomes.
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Pensions
Plus ça change…The outlook for infrastructure debt in 2024
11 Jan 2024
Infrastructure demonstrated characteristic resilience in 2023 in the face of significant macroeconomic headwinds. Darryl Murphy from our infrastructure team explains why he expects current themes to persist in 2024.
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Real Assets
Tech, trees and tailwinds: The outlook for climate transition real assets
9 Jan 2024
In this Q&A, James Tarry and Luke Layfield explore the themes shaping the landscape for real asset investors with a climate transition focus.
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Responsible Investing
Changing course: Creating a stable investment framework for offshore wind
30 Nov 2023
Better market mechanisms and grid connection arrangements are essential to restore a stable investment environment in the offshore wind sector, as Nick Molho explains.
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Economic Research
The tipping point for climate finance: Making financial flows consistent with the Paris Agreement
29 Nov 2023
Transition plans, including from governments in response to the Global Stocktake, will be crucial to bring about the shift to a low-emissions, climate-resilient world. Markets need clear implementation signals to align capital with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Our in-depth report calls for the creation of a transition-plan ecosystem connecting all levels of the global economy.
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Fixed income
The time to lead: Reforming multilateral development banks through a climate lens
28 Nov 2023
To have a chance of limiting global warming to less than two degrees, the world must unlock huge investments in emerging markets. This is prompting calls for the reform of multilateral development banks, but will this be enough?
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Responsible Investing
Paying fair: The living wage comes of age
31 Oct 2023
Paying employees a living wage is a growing concern for companies and regulators. As this concept gains traction, it should be viewed as a long-term investment in workers and businesses rather than a cost.
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Economic Research
Gender balance in the workplace: Levelling up
25 Oct 2023
Despite progress on female representation in senior financial roles, the industry is nowhere near parity. We explore how finance can create a level playing field for all genders to thrive.
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Economic Research
Fairness, climate action and nature protection: Our key takeaways from AGM season
18 Oct 2023
Investing to create a more sustainable, stable and prosperous world should be a core part of the purpose of any responsible asset manager. Louise Piffaut reviews our recent engagement activity designed to hold investee companies to account.
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Economic Research
Race, ethnicity and investing: Developing an inclusive culture
13 Oct 2023
Since 2020, we have taken action to improve our own performance on diversity, equity and inclusion and engaged with investee companies on the key issues. On black representation specifically, building an inclusive culture and pipeline of talent are long-term efforts, as Mark Versey explains.
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Fixed income
Integrating net zero in sovereign bond portfolios: Understanding the impacts, risks and opportunities
2 Oct 2023
Investing in climate transition and adaptation plans today adds to governments’ funding needs, but over time should make for stronger, more resilient economies. How should investors approach this to embed net-zero considerations into their sovereign bond portfolios?
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Economic Research
Disability inclusion in the workplace: Taking down the barriers
28 Sep 2023
Disabled employees continue to face a variety of hurdles to cope with in addition to their day job. We look at how employers can help remove those barriers to allow everyone to thrive.