Nest Pensions Takes Another Step on Net-Zero Journey

• Northern Trust AM to manage new climate aware strategy investing in emerging markets
• Nest estimated to nearly double investment in emerging market equity (shares)
• Nest’s Head of RI: “Emerging markets are an exciting growth area, and we believe we can continue to successfully invest while working towards our net-zero goal”

Nest, the workplace pension scheme representing a quarter of the UK workforce, will take another step in reducing its carbon footprint while increasing investment in emerging market equities.

Emerging markets are set to continue outpacing growth in developed markets, driven by younger populations and a rising middle class. 

Nest wants its members to benefit from this economic growth and by February 2021, the pension scheme plans to nearly double its investment in emerging markets, from around £480m as of September 2020 to an estimated £930m by February 2021 (from 3.6 to 6 per cent of Nest’s total portfolio). At the same time, the carbon footprint of this growth will need to be carefully managed if Nest is to meet its net-zero ambitions. 

The new strategy, which addresses a range of environmental, social and governance risks, will track a customised index produced in collaboration with Northern Trust Asset Management. It will tilt investment in companies based on a score calculated on three key components: energy efficiency, alternative energy, and green building. 

This ‘energy tilt’ in the fund means Nest will reduce investment in companies with large oil or gas reserves and those with a high carbon intensity, while increasing investment in clean technology and renewable energy opportunities. Nest will continue to review and update the methodology behind this fund, evolving the criteria over time so that it continues to move closer to delivering the goals of the Paris Agreement. 

This move will take Nest’s investments in dedicated climate-aware strategies to nearly £8 billion, representing half (51%) of the scheme’s overall portfolio as of February 2021. 

Commenting on the announcement Diandra Soobiah, Nest’s Head of Responsible Investment, believes Nest is getting ahead of the game by seeking out a new, innovative way to gain more access to developing markets.

“Over the next 10-20 years countries like China and India are expected to see huge increases in urbanisation. Many emerging economies are also thinking hard about how to harness green technology to fuel their growth and leapfrog the dirtier industrialisation trends of the past. This presents opportunities for investors.

“We’re therefore delighted to announce our new strategy, formulated closely with Northern Trust Asset Management, to expand our investment in emerging markets while targeting green opportunities and managing climate-related risks. 

“It’s crucial that investors in such a strategy are active stewards for companies in emerging markets. We’ll encourage companies to prepare for the low carbon transition to ensure they remain attractive investments for our members.”

Commenting on the new climate aware strategy Marie Dzanis, Head of Northern Trust Asset Management, EMEA, welcomed the opportunity to provide innovative solutions for Nest so it can continue investing responsibly in emerging markets. 

“We at Northern Trust Asset Management believe this will be a decade of sustainable investing. We are delighted to work with Nest, who dedicate nearly half their portfolio to climate-aware strategies, and celebrate that they are at the forefront of innovation. Our work with Nest aligns to our philosophy and dedication to furthering investor access to climate-aware strategies. 

“Through our participation in initiatives, such as a Climate Action 100+ signatory and being a founding member of One Planet Sovereign Wealth Funds, we are committed to continuing our engagement in the industry and understand the importance of meeting investors wherever they reside on their ESG journey to help them build more resilient portfolios as we transition to a low carbon economy.”

Notes to editors
In July Nest launched its Climate Change strategy, aligning the scheme with being net-zero by 2050 or sooner and expecting to halve emissions by 2030. 

Northern Trust Asset Management
Northern Trust Asset Management has 30 years of sustainable investing expertise and innovation, is UNPRI signatory, a supporter of TCFD and manages four of the top 10 largest ESG index funds globally (eVestment data as of June 30, 2020).

Nest
Nest was set up by the government to ensure every UK employer could offer a workplace pension to their employees. Since then, it’s grown to become the largest workplace pension scheme in the country with more than 9.5 million members. It safeguards more than £14.5 billion assets on its members’ behalf. It takes £400 million each month in new member contributions and by the end of the next decade, Nest will have close to £100 billion invested on its members behalf.