Make My Money Matter

We urgently need to see much stronger stewardship from UK pension providers, and their asset managers, who invest in Oil & Gas expanders. Aviva and Legal & General are better than most in tackling the climate and nature emergency, and are two of the UK’s biggest pension providers. This is why we looked at their voting at Shell and BP this year. We were shocked with what we saw. Voting 44 out of 45 times with the management of these companies which do not have credible 1.5C aligned plans. Unfortunately, the same question could be asked of many pension funds and their asset managers. Too often we hear justifications given for soft stewardship on fossil fuel expansion, but the flaws are clear to see. Oil and gas majors are not aligning to 1.5 degrees, and it is wrong to see them as simply fulfilling fossil fuel energy demand - they also help perpetuate demand through their actions and strategies. And yes, we need fossil fuel energy for years to come - but that argument is a deflection from the fact that we need falling production, alongside a ramping up of clean energy and efficiency, if we are to hit climate targets and have energy security. For investors, there is no logic in voting against the Energy Transition Strategy of an energy company, and then voting in support of the board overseeing that core strategy. Nor does it seem sensible to work on reducing fossil fuel demand whilst at the same time supporting fossil fuel expanders. And to reject a climate resolution calling for the Paris alignment of mid-term scope 3 emissions on the basis it’s inflexible is kicking the can down the road. The average UK pension saver has around £3,000 invested in fossil fuel companies. By supporting O&G companies that are failing to align, many UK pension funds and asset managers are helping to drive a climate and nature catastrophe that will undermine future pensions, and the future well-being of pensioners. We call on our pension industry to step up, and do the following: 1) Equity: Vote strongly and publicly against companies that are not seriously on a 1.5 degree pathway. This should include voting against the Chairs, Directors, Remuneration, Auditors, Accounts and Transition Strategies. Exit the most mis-aligned. 2) Debt: Stop financing harm. Make no new debt investments in O&G expanders. Exit existing O&G expander debt holdings when financially viable. 3) Voice: Use your voice and collaborate with others to increase impact. Call on governments to regulate companies to set 1.5C transition plans (as the current UK govt has committed to) and implement them, and to do more to unlock opportunities to invest in climate solutions. Tony Burdon Make My Money Matter Net Zero Investor Mona Dohle Catherine Howarth OBE Lucie Pinson Vicky Sins Alex Wilks Charlotte O'Leary Sandy Trust Mark Campanale Mike Clark Mike Coffin https://lnkd.in/eEtGTdp8