Net Zero Asset Managers initiative announces 41 new signatories, with sector seeing ‘net zero tipping point’

06.07.21

Net Zero Asset Managers initiative grows to 128 investors managing $43 trillion – all committed to net zero goal
Momentum galvanised, contributing to ‘net zero tipping point’ as approaching half of all assets across global asset management sector are now part of initiative
Signatories to work with clients to reach net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner and set 2030 interim targets

41 leading asset managers, representing USD$6.8 trillion in assets, are today joining the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative. Among other steps, this will see the investors work with clients to reach net zero emissions alignment across their portfolios by 2050 or sooner and set interim 2030 emissions reduction targets. The additional signatories mean a total 128 investors, collectively managing $43 trillion in assets, are now part of the initiative.

The asset managers joining the initiative today include Amundi, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management, Franklin Templeton, MFS Investment Management, HSBC Asset Management and the International Business of Federated Hermes among others¹. New signatories based in North America and Europe are joined by a marked uptick in the number of Asian managers now part of the initiative

Launched only in December 2020 in just over six months the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative has seen rapid growth. The latest signatories take the initiative close to representing almost half of the entire asset management sector globally in terms of total funds managed (standing at $100 trillion)².

Nicolas Moreau, CEO, HSBC Asset Management said: “As the world moves to a net zero carbon future, we are committed to playing our part in addressing climate change, both as a business and as stewards of our clients’ assets. HSBC Asset Management is proud to be part of this important initiative and contribute to an industry-wide push to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.”

Saker Nusseibeh, CBE, CEO, International at Federated Hermes said: “The position that we occupy as the investment management industry is one of unique influence. By way of intelligent and considered stewardship of capital we have the potential to effect genuine and positive change. Conversely, collective inertia risks compounding the crisis we face to an irreversible extent. It is for these reasons that we have a responsibility to make the right choices, to the benefit of our clients, their end beneficiaries and indeed society at large. We are proud to join the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative as a demonstration of our commitment to accelerate the transition to global net zero emissions.”

Valérie Baudson, CEO, Amundi, said: “2021 needs to be the year of climate action for all economic actors. Governments and companies have a collective responsibility to transition to decarbonized economies by adopting ambitious emission reduction targets. We are convinced that the financial sector is a key catalyst for action in this race to Net Zero. Amundi is a pioneer in responsible investing with strong climate convictions and a deep awareness of our responsibility. Therefore, we are proud to embrace global carbon neutrality objectives.”

Jenny Johnson, CEO and President of Franklin Templeton, said: “We are excited to make the commitment to the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative alongside the growing community of signatories. We approach our journey with the clear acknowledgement that we must commit to finding the data and solutions to help us achieve global net zero emissions by 2050. We will work toward this goal in a spirit of authentic engagement and partnership with our clients and stakeholders, in keeping with our belief that good stewardship as a global asset manager means managing and allocating capital to benefit our clients across generations.”

Yoshio Hishida, Representative Director and President, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management, said: “We believe that important issues concerning Environmental, Social, and Governance will affect the long-term return of assets under management entrusted from our customers. In particular, the effects of climate change have certainly begun to materialise and are beginning to have an impact on the corporate value of our investee companies. As one of the largest investment managers in APAC, we believe it is important to evaluate the potential profit opportunities and risks in these investee companies. As such, we are reflecting the evaluation in investment decision processes and leveraging it in business management. The Net Zero Asset Manager’s initiative is consistent with our corporate objectives and we are pleased to announce our commitment.”

With participation more than quadrupling since launch, the initiative already includes the world’s three largest asset managers globally³. Total assets collectively managed by investors as signatories to the initiative ($43 trillion) are now equivalent to the combined GDP of the United States, China and United Kingdom ($42 trillion).

The Net Zero Asset Managers initiative is managed globally by six founding partner investor networks: Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC), CDP, Ceres, Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC), Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) and Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).

Stephanie Pfeifer, CEO, Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change said: “In just six months nearly half of the global asset management sector has committed to achieving net zero emissions with their clients across the funds they manage. This marks a fundamental tipping point across the investment sector and a significant boost in efforts to tackle climate change and decarbonise the global economy. There’s a lot more to achieve, but the sector is increasingly on a path to a net zero future.”

Paul Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of CDP, said: “In a critical year for climate action, it is encouraging to see that nearly half of the global asset management sector has committed to achieving net zero emissions across its portfolios. We look forward to these commitments driving action through the setting of science-based emissions reduction targets, investment activity that is aligned with the Paris Agreement and near-term accountability and disclosure.”

The momentum secured over such a short period of time through investor participation in Net Zero Asset Managers, driven by the investor networks behind the initiative, is serving to normalise and mainstream changes required to drive progress towards net zero emissions. Without the asset management sector working to net zero emissions, the goals set out in the Paris Agreement would be more challenging if not impossible to meet.

Mindy Lubber, Ceres CEO and President, said: “Investors understand the urgency of the climate crisis and asset managers understand their role in mitigating the crisis as well as their fiduciary duty to address systemic climate risks and capture investment opportunities emerging in the economic transition to a net zero emissions future. As we see with 41 additional asset managers joining such that the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative now represents nearly half of total assets in the global asset management sector, no investor wants to miss out on the opportunities of the global decarbonization underway.”

Fiona Reynolds, CEO, PRI, said: “We are very pleased to welcome this group of signatories to the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative. Commitment from the investment managers – alongside asset owners, banks, insurance companies and governments – to net zero is tremendously important to enable a transition to a low-carbon economy – and to ensure we have the right framework to finance that transition. As we approach COP26, it’s essential that actors across the investment chain alongside governments continue to take net-zero-related actions, and to be held accountable for those commitments through interim and longer-term targets.”

In achieving net zero alignment, the asset managers also commit to prioritise the achievement of real economy emissions reductions, take account of material portfolio Scope 3 emissions, create investment products aligned with net zero emissions and facilitate increased investment in climate solutions. Putting in place a stewardship and engagement strategy consistent with net zero emissions by 2050 and ensuring all policy advocacy supports the same objective, also help ensure the investors are driving broader change.

Signatories also commit to transparent and rigorous accountability. They will annually report progress against the Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations, including implementing a climate action plan that is consistent with the United Nations ‘Race to Zero’ criteria. They also agree only to use offsets that involve long-term carbon removal where there are no technologically and/or financially viable alternatives to eliminating emissions.

Full details of the steps the investors commit to in joining the initiative can be found here.

Signatories are working to publish details of their individual emission reduction targets in achieving net zero alignment ahead of the COP 26 summit to be held in Glasgow in November later this year.

The initiative is accredited by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Race to Zero campaign and has an advisory group drawn from representatives from signatory asset managers.

– ENDS –

Notes to Editor:

The full list of investors joining the initiative today is: Affirmative Investment Management, Aktie-Ansvar AB, Amundi Asset Management, Ashmore Group plc, Asteria Investment Managers, Brandywine Global Investment Management, BT Funds Management NZ, ClearBridge Investments LCC, DIF Capital Partners represented by DIF Management BV, DSC Meridian Capital LP, Earth Capital, Evenlode Investment Management, Fiera Capital Corporation, Franklin Templeton, GAM Investments, Green Century Capital Management, HSBC Asset Management, InfraRed Capital Partners Limited, Intech Investments, Investible, Jyske Capital, KBI Global Investors, Kerogen Capital, La Francaise Group, LocalTapiola Asset Management, Man Group, Martin Currie Investment Management Limited, Meridiam, MFS Investment Management, Ninety One, Ownership Capital, Payden & Rygel, RAM Active Investments SA, River and Mercantile Group PLC, Shinhan Asset Management Co. Ltd, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management, Swisscanto Invest by Zucherkantonal Bank, the International Business of Federated Hermes, Troy Asset Management, Vista Equity Partners and Willis Towers Watson.
Total AUM for asset management sector as per Willis Towers Watson here.
The top three being BlackRock, Vanguard Group and State Street Global.

For the full details of the Net Zero Asset Managers commitment and a Q&A, please click here and here.

About the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative:

The Net Zero Asset Managers initiative is a group of international asset managers committed to supporting the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner, in line with global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C; and to supporting investing aligned with net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. The initiative is managed globally by six founding partners: Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC), CDP, Ceres, Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC), Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) and Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). The initiative is also endorsed by The Investor Agenda, of which the investor networks are all founding partners. For further information, please visit www.netzeroassetmanagers.org.

Net Zero Asset Managers – signatory CEO comment

See below for CEO comment in order of region of HQ on becoming a signatory to the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative.

Europe

Stephen Fitzgerald, Managing Partner, Affirmative Investment Management said: “At Affirmative Investment Management we believe that responsible investing is critical to the transition towards a low-carbon, climate resilient economy. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face globally and demands decisive action to mitigate its effects in a socially responsible manner. As a specialist sustainable investment company, we are pleased to join the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative and collaborate with like-minded asset managers to set a clear course towards net zero in the investment community.”

Martin Abrahamson, CEO, Aktie-Ansvar AB said: “At Aktie-Ansvar, responsible investments have been in our DNA since we were founded in 1965, and by signing the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative; we are taking another important step for the future. With our commitment to the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative, we promise to do our part to create the conditions needed in order to reach net-zero by 2050. Our goal is, through continued collaboration with portfolio companies and industry colleagues, to create optimal conditions for future generations. In short, responsible investments.”

Valérie Baudson, CEO, Amundi, said: “2021 needs to be the year of climate action for all economic actors. Governments and companies have a collective responsibility to transition to decarbonized economies by adopting ambitious emission reduction targets. We are convinced that the financial sector is a key catalyst for action in this race to Net Zero. Amundi is a pioneer in responsible investing with strong climate convictions and a deep awareness of our responsibility. Therefore, as the European leader of the asset management industry, we are proud to embrace global carbon neutrality objectives.”

Mark Coombs, CEO, Ashmore Group plc said: “As a specialist Emerging Markets investment manager, Ashmore recognises the effects of climate change and accepts that it will be felt more immediately by those societies in which we operate and invest. To address the clear challenges posed by climate change, and support the ambitions envisaged by the Paris Agreement, a responsible investor should help developing economies transition over the longer term to more sustainable, and ultimately carbon-neutral, activities through ongoing and supportive investment, and we look forward to contributing to this objective.”

Katia Coudray, CEO, Asteria Investment Managers said: “Asteria IM has been created to use capital as an agent of change. Investments have an active role to play in the achievement of global carbon reduction targets. Committing to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is consistent with our core strategy and we are proud to join leading asset managers working ambitiously towards achieving this goal.”

Wim Blaasse, Managing Partner & CEO, DIF Capital Partners, said: “We believe that the single biggest threat faced by our generation is climate change. At DIF we see it as our responsibility to apply the same urgency of action to climate issues, as we have done in our response to coronavirus, and we invite all our stakeholders to join us on this commitment.”

Gordon Power, Co-Founder and CIO, Earth Capital said: “At Earth Capital, we are proud to join the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative and support the transition to a more equitable and resource efficient economy. We look forward to collaborating with the wider investment community to achieve our common objective of global net zero emissions.”

Hugh Yarrow, CEO, Evenlode said: “The investment management community has a very important role to play in supporting, encouraging and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy. We are developing a detailed climate action plan including interim targets and an engagement and voting policy that sets out how we will align our investment portfolios to net zero. By joining the Net Zero Asset Manager Initiative and committing to bring our investment portfolio in line with net zero by 2050, Evenlode is contributing to the global goals of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees and reducing the climate risk to our clients’ investments.”

Peter Sanderson, CEO, GAM Investments said: “Addressing climate change is a critical and central driver for the next phase of economic transformation, with far-reaching implications for society. We are committed to providing the investment leadership, innovation and sustainable thinking to help our clients drive and navigate this low-carbon transition. We are pleased to join the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative as part of our commitment to delivering differentiated and impactful sustainable solutions to protect and enhance our clients’ financial future.”

Werner von Guionneau, CEO, InfraRed Capital Partners, said: “We are proud to join the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative and look forward to working with other like-minded asset managers to tackle one of the largest challenges faced by society. As a responsible asset manager, we firmly believe that it is in the best interests of our investors, clients and other stakeholders that InfraRed engages proactively to make a positive contribution to climate action. With a portfolio of over 250 real assets, we have an opportunity to effect significant, positive change.

Committing to net zero by 2050 is the next step in our climate journey, following our decision to become a CarbonNeutral firm from 2019 onwards and a TCFD supporter in 2020. Joining the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative will support our ongoing efforts to be a leading driver of change within the asset management industry. This commitment fully aligns with our vision of creating a sustainable future.”

Saker Nusseibeh CBE, CEO, International at Federated Hermes said: “The position that we occupy as the investment management industry is one of unique influence. By way of intelligent and considered stewardship of capital we have the potential to effect genuine and positive change. Conversely, collective inertia risks compounding the crisis we face to an irreversible extent. It is for these reasons that we have a responsibility to make the right choices, to the benefit of our clients, their end beneficiaries and indeed society at large. We are proud to join the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative as a demonstration of our commitment to accelerate the transition to global net zero emissions.”

Henning Mortensen, Senior Director, Head of Jyske Capital, said: “Climate change is a major global challenge and we believe it is imperative for asset managers to respond to that challenge and contribute to solving this. We are proud to join Net Zero Asset Manager and thus formally committing to the goal of net zero GHG emission by 2050 at the latest on our investments.”

Sean Hawkshaw, CEO, KBI Global Investors said: “At KBI Global Investors we are absolutely committed to, and an active participant in, the campaign to deliver net zero greenhouse gas emissions. We have committed to achieving this across our Global Equity strategies in line with the Paris Agreement, whilst our Natural Resource strategies have been investing for many years now in companies providing solutions to global challenges such as climate change, along with the great resource challenges facing the world today. We view Net Zero Asset Managers as a real catalyst and a significant initiative towards accelerating the reallocation of capital into more sustainable areas. That transition will deliver numerous tangible and positive outcomes, which are in the best interest not only of our clients, but us all.”

Patrick Rivière, CEO, La Française Group said: “La Française is proud to be among the group of leading asset managers formally committed to achieving the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This objective is consistent with our corporate mission to contribute to the net zero transition through our operations, investment activities in real estate and financial assets and stakeholder engagement. As an active member of the Net Zero Asset Manager initiative, we aim to leverage our longstanding climate-related investment expertise to the benefit of our clients. Operationally speaking, we will set interim targets across all asset classes: real estate, fixed income and equity. We believe the net zero transition must also be a “just” transition, creating a fair and sustainable economy for all.”

Samu Anttila, CEO, LocalTapiola Asset Management Ltd said: “We are heading towards a global Climate crisis that will affect economies, financial systems and our daily lives in a profound way. It is time to act together. As we are a leading asset manager in Finland, and true to our mutual background and values, we are proud to join this initiative.”

Luke Ellis, CEO, Man Group, said: “Climate change is an urgent challenge and asset managers can and must act as powerful drivers for much-needed climate action. We join the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative in order to build on our existing progress, raise our own standards of accountability for portfolio-born emissions and send an unequivocal message that we recognise the importance of managing climate risk for our clients, employees, stakeholders and the environment.”

Julian Ide, CEO of Martin Currie, said: “Martin Currie is delighted to be part of the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative – a crucial response to improving transparency around climate risks, accelerating the adoption of net zero targets and providing a mechanism so that real-world emissions reductions are achieved. With the countdown to COP 26 in Scotland now well under way, countries are being asked to come forward with ambitious emissions reduction goals, action plans and interim targets that put us on a path for reaching net zero by 2050. To help achieve this, the asset management industry has an important role to play through its actions as long-term stewards of its clients’ assets, and is positioned to both incentivise the adoption of net zero targets and increase the flow of capital to companies providing climate solutions. As a global asset management business headquartered in Scotland, we believe we have an important platform for signalling the industry’s commitments to net zero at this critical time, and our commitment to this initiative is very much a part of that.”

Thierry Déau, CEO of Meridiam said: “Since inception Meridiam always gave priority to sustainability and impact both at company and individuals level. In all our projects, in all our initiatives, in all our decision making. Committing to net zero initiative is obvious for us, and a further illustration of our determination to achieve positive impact. Tackling climate change by all means is an absolute necessity. The question is no more about should one embrace those initiatives but how concretely and rapidly we can all act now for the planet, and the people that live on it.”

Hendrik du Toit, CEO, Ninety One said: “Ninety One believes in sustainability with substance. The world needs an inclusive transition plan that works for all its 7.9 billion people. Therefore, a drive to net zero that excludes, intentionally or otherwise, any place or enterprise could result in no net zero at all. So, to us, the mission to reduce carbon must include the entire world.”

Omar M Cordes, Partner & CEO, Ownership Capital said: “We celebrate the commitment of the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative to support the goal of net zero greenhouse gases by 2050 or sooner and are pleased to formally join this collaborative effort. At Ownership Capital, we have always believed that bold targets, followed up by constructive engagement, can achieve great things. The climate emergency requires drastic, urgent change and the investment community must work together to ensure that companies do their part to ensure a sustainable future.”

Joan Payden, President and CEO, Payden & Rygel said: “As a firm dedicated to serving our global client base, Payden & Rygel is fully committed to mitigating the risks and seizing the opportunities presented by climate change. The Net Zero Asset Managers initiative brings a science-based framework to financial markets and represents an important industry-wide collaboration to ensure the world the future inherits will be as wonderful as the world we inherited.”

Andrew Fraser, CEO, RAM Active Investment said: “Generation after generation has left it to the next to deal with the accumulation of environmental damage, if this is to change, we must also change. At RAM we believe we can use systematic active investment to create sustainable impact. The financial sector can, and must play a pivotal role in delivering climate change. We are proud to join the initiative, and are determined to continue the path already taken in decarbonizing more of our portfolios, leveraging on RAM AI research and technology to reach the net zero objective without compromising on investor returns.”

James Barham, CEO, River and Mercantile said: “Climate change is real. We have a responsibility as a business and as an industry to use whatever available resources and influence to ensure that we contribute to achieving net zero carbon in line with broader government and societal objectives. We will continue to evolve and develop our thinking to identify whether as a business we can achieve this earlier. We are therefore proud to announce our commitment to be net zero carbon by 2050, covering 100% of assets managed. We acknowledge net zero is a significant undertaking for the Group, and there is always an important balance between the focus on this, broader ESG issues and the real need of all our clients for investment return.”

Iwan Deplazes, Head, Swisscanto Invest, said: “With sustainability ingrained in the core of our business, we at Swisscanto Invest are further strengthening our commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate. We are pleased to back an initiative that is consistent with our investment philosophy and processes, reinforcing our efforts to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time.”

Sebastian Lyon, CEO, Troy Asset Management said: “Troy Asset Management was founded on the principles of capital resilience and long-term investment. With this philosophy still guiding our actions today, we are proud to be a part of the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative and the drive towards achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Troy is making this commitment in the long-term interests of our investors, the environment and our society.”

Chris Ford, Head of Investments, Willis Towers Watson said: “Willis Towers Watson Investments believe in ‘investing today for a more sustainable tomorrow’. This is more important than ever as the whole economy transitions to a net zero and climate-resilient future. We recognise that the investment industry is not simply a ‘taker of outcomes’ generated by the investments it makes, but rather as allocators of capital and stewards of its clients’ assets, it can and should play a meaningful role in shaping the system and managing overall risk inherent in the climate transition.”

Asia Pacific

Karen Silk, CEO, BT Funds Management said: “As one of New Zealand’s largest fund managers, we recognise the immense capacity we have to drive positive outcomes for our employees, customers and communities. We believe climate change is having an increasingly profound impact on our natural environment, with negative flow-on effects for our society, economy and culture. The alignment of our portfolio with a 1.5 degree Celsius temperature target is an important step in supporting sustainable opportunities and reducing climate risks to protect and grow our customers’ wealth.”

Rod Bristow, CEO, Investible, said: “This commitment is a natural extension of Investible’s core philosophy: that the businesses being established today will define the future of our economy, our people and our planet. As early-stage investors, tomorrow is paramount in our thinking. Taking positive action on climate change and achieving net zero is the only option. As responsible stewards of capital we see our responsibility as investing wisely, mitigating risks and delivering strong investor returns. These are essential principles to building a resilient, renewable economy. We look forward to aligning with investors, startups, educators and the public sector as we strive toward this ambitious but essential goal.”

Jason Cheng, CEO & Managing Partner, Kerogen Capital said: “Climate change is undoubtedly the most pressing issue of our time and as an energy-focused private equity fund we understand that there the energy sector requires complete transformation to meet Net Zero. As governments work to develop net zero carbon regulation, it is important for the private sector to take action now. The actions we take today have a multiplier effect in the future and have the potential to accelerate the path to achieving net zero. Our approach to net zero carbon builds on our carbon light investment strategy, our commitment to transparent climate related reporting and carbon reduction initiatives, as well as ensuring we capture the wealth of new investment opportunities from the energy transition. Kerogen Capital is committed to the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative and look forward to working among other leading asset managers on the journey of achieving net zero.”

Changgoo Lee, CEO, Shinhan Asset Management said: “Shinhan AMC deeply understands that climate change must be addressed for sustainable future and the asset management industry must play a significant role in tackling climate-related issues.

Thus, Shinhan AMC is honored to join the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative as an ESG leader in the Korean asset management industry, and we will utilize the power of finance under Shinhan Financial Group’s mission ‘Warm-hearted Finance for Future’ and make contributions for our clients to see meaningful results.”

Yoshio Hishida, Representative Director and President, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management said: “We believe that important issues concerning Environmental, Social, and Governance will affect the long-term return of assets under management entrusted from our customers. In particular, the effects of climate change have certainly begun to materialize and are beginning to have an impact on the corporate value of our investee companies. As one of the largest investment managers in APAC, we believe it is important to evaluate the potential profit opportunities and risks in these investee companies. As such, we are reflecting the evaluation in investment decision processes and leveraging it in business management. The Net Zero Asset Manager’s initiative is consistent with our corporate objectives and we are pleased to announce our commitment.”

North America

Adam Spector, Managing Partner, Brandywine Global said: “Climate change is an urgent global threat and an underappreciated investment risk. Brandywine Global’s membership to the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative underscores our commitment to assessing climate risks across capital structures and real economies. We look forward to continuing our ongoing dialogue with government officials and corporate management teams alike about the risks emanating from climate change. We are proud to be part of an initiative that we believe will positively influence the global economy and how companies operate.”

Terrence Murphy, CEO ClearBridge Investments, said: “ClearBridge is pleased to join the distinguished roster of signatories to the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative. As stewards of our clients’ capital with a 30+ year history of integrating sustainability-related investment risks such as climate change into our stock selection process, ClearBridge recognizes the urgency of accelerating the transition toward global net zero emissions. Using a partnership approach, ClearBridge will use its role as large shareholders to drive positive change through ongoing company engagement.”

Leslie Samuelrich, President, Green Century Capital Management, said: “As the first family of fossil fuel free responsible and diversified funds in the U.S., Green Century and our investors recognize that we must reduce greenhouse gases immediately, and joining the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative is an important step for investors concerned about the climate crisis to take. We look forward to working with the companies in our portfolio through our robust shareholder advocacy program to encourage them to adopt Paris-aligned, net-zero emissions goals. The current and next generations need all of us to succeed.”

Adrian Banner, CEO, Intech Investments said: “Climate change is a risk we all face – our clients, employees and communities. Addressing it will require a global collective effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Intech is pleased to join our industry peers in support of the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative, which seeks to achieve zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. Together, we hope to create a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

Michael Roberge, CEO, MFS Investment Management said: “As an active manager, our purpose is to create long-term value through responsible capital allocation. Active management doesn’t just mean that we can reallocate capital at will, however. It also means that we have an active role to play in the future success of our portfolio companies. Climate change is a ubiquitous challenge that requires collaborative, long-term solutions. Climate change won’t be solved through divestment. It will be solved through consistent, long-term engagement that drives improved corporate performance through the transition to a low carbon economy. MFS supports alignment with the Paris Agreement and the goal of limiting temperature increases to below 1.5° Celsius, and we are proud to be making this commitment, through the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, to help ensure that goal is achieved.”

Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Vista Equity Partners said: “Vista is proud to be one of the first North American private equity firms to support net zero greenhouse gas emissions across our portfolio,” said Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. “Climate change threatens our existence, and we embrace our shared responsibility to preserve our planet for future generations. We look forward to building on our corporate carbon offset efforts and leveraging the power of technology and investing to ensure the entire Vista ecosystem is generating a positive, lasting impact on our world.”