4 tips for integrating ESG into LDI
Following our recent blog on ESG considerations in buy and maintain credit, we look at how to bring ESG more effectively into LDI mandates.
At LGIM, we’re celebrating 20 years of implementing LDI mandates for our clients, and reflecting on what has changed over this time.
While the integration of ESG criteria has always been a core pillar of our investment beliefs, we have nonetheless formalised and enhanced this over the years to reflect the evolving landscape. Indeed, it turns out that our blog just one year ago on this subject is in fact already out of date.
Here, we share four principal ways we believe pension schemes and other users of LDI or broader derivative mandates could explore in seeking to integrate ESG considerations today.
1) Embed ESG into counterparty review
We believe that incorporating ESG factors into creditworthiness assessments is a logical step, not only from a governance perspective but also when considering the potential ESG risks of the companies to which a financial institution provides financing.
2) Engage with counterparties to drive positive change
In our view, this is particularly pertinent for those who have the scale to use their influence to engage with counterparties, not just to understand their ESG position but also to encourage them to improve it. It’s even stronger when the full business stands united, from the view of dedicated ESG teams and analysts to portfolio managers and traders. At LGIM, in 2020 our Investment Stewardship team engaged with 17 of our counterparties – around half our full counterparty panel – on a variety of topics. We believe that the financial sector has a pivotal part to play in the transition to net-zero carbon emissions in line with the Paris Agreement goals, and our Climate Impact Pledge reflects our deeper and broader engagement on climate, holding around 1,000 companies to our high standards.
