ESG

Higher interest rates leads Mirova to focus on asset performance optimisation after intense pioneering period.

The business model and drivers for natural capital investing have evolved.

The European Union and the United States are committed to ambitious climate policies aimed at achieving carbon neutrality in their respective territories by 2050. To this end, each bloc has defined its own regulations, which include specific milestones along their respective decarbonisation trajectories.

In the summer of 2022, Russia cut off most of natural gas supply, threatening European economies. A year on, the energy crisis has faded and Europe has adapted.

How to invest in private assets to positively impact land, oceans, climate and biodiversity.

More than fifty percent of the world’s GDP is moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services. The destruction of biodiversity can have a global economic and financial impact.

In this second edition of 'Across the Universe', Hervé Guez, Raphaël Lance, and Marc Romano from Mirova, discuss the strategic role of investors in channeling financing towards innovation and solutions for the energy transition.

Our experts from Mirova, Loomis Sayles and Natixis Investment Managers describe what they see as being front of mind for sustainable investors today, and how they think the sustainability landscape is evolving.

Read Mirova’s Impact Report 2022.

The global energy transition is vast, complex, rapidly-changing, daunting and exciting. It’s also an immense shift in the global investment landscape that all investors need to factor into their decision-making.

ESG risk is not uniformly affecting companies as there are stark differences across countries, market cap sizes and sectors.

By using both a simplified example and real data on major stock market indices, Ossiam explains that when it comes to temperature scores, the aggregation method choice is particularly important and full of consequences.

Faced with the deadlock in debt restructuring negotiations and financial support for poor countries, is the debt-for-nature swap a solution to the climate and debt crisis they are facing?

Ostrum’s investment management can support insurers’ financial, accounting, regulatory and ESG strategy, as evidenced by Ostrum’s answer to these 9 questions, which are key to insurers

Mirova is using every lever available to an asset management company. These include supporting the most active companies in the environmental and social transition, driving strategic change at the heart of major corporations, and mobilizing their ecosystem.

To fully blend biodiversity issues in the financial sector, we need to address two crucial challenges investors are currently facing: data availability and a global target framework to counter biodiversity loss.

Companies are not yet paying the price for the services rendered by nature, nor for the pressures they exert on it. It's a safe bet that negative externalities will be accounted for in the years to come, to put a value on the destruction wrought on the climate and nature.

The point of view of three experts at Ostrum.

To accelerate the energy transition in light of the climate emergency, it is crucial that we bring all players to the table, argue Hervé Guez, CIO for Equity, Fixed Income and Social Impact Investing, Raphaël Lance, Head of Energy Transition Funds, and Marc Romano, Head of Impact Private Equity at Mirova.

AEW sets out concrete steps for meaningful climate-change adaptation.

Progress report on Mirova's roadmap in favour of biodiversity #2 - Impact investing in action to contribute to a Nature-positive economy.

Alone responsible for 73% of carbon dioxide emissions, the energy sector is at the forefront of a change of model. But while the trajectory has been mapped out, many challenges still lie ahead, and there are huge needs for financing.

All stakeholders are focused on sustainable investments and climate impact, at all levels, creating an environment favorable to the sustainable bond market whose current framework may improve over time.

This article seeks to explore the role of ESG Engagement for private credit managers as a necessary and desirable component of a comprehensive ESG strategy integrated into the investment process, as well as over the life of ownership.

What is biodiversity? How do we measure companies' impact on it and how to invest to preserve it?

As yields rebound, investors seek high credit quality and strong SRI credentials.

What are the impacts of ESG factors on the Telecom industry and what are the main challenges?

CFA Institute – with input from Natixis Investment Managers – launches global standards to make ESG investing more transparent.

Nicole Downer, Managing Partner at MV Credit, explains the firm's key ESG initiatives.

Acceleration of renewable energy and industrial automation, plus regulatory clarity, are positive for sustainable and ESG investing says Mirova’s Jens Peers.

Companies focused on water supply, demand efficiency and waste management can add defensive growth to portfolios.

Investing in French's sustainable energy transition sector in the future.

Key takeaways and replay video of our hybrid event “ESG: From niche to norm” held in Singapore. Hear from our guest speakers and affiliates’ experts.

Forward-looking ESG approach captures more progressive companies and a wider range of risks.

Points of view of three experts at Ostrum.

Corporate governance has material impact on equity performance.

A boutique investor, now part of Mirova, has become a market leader in financing solar power projects in emerging markets.

Mirova aims to help accelerate the environmental and energy transition: working to preserve biodiversity, promote decarbonisation and enable energy independence. Finding the financing to achieve all this is a major issue, especially for emerging companies.

Investor Leadership Network’s new Net Zero Investor Playbook offers an inventory of approaches institutional investors are taking to transition investing and highlights key challenges.

River flood, sea level rise, drought etc: how will physical climate change impact European real estate returns?

Biodiversity loss is a major issue for companies in the food industry, which need to adapt their practices in order to mitigate the environmental, economic and financial impact of biodiversity loss.

Update on Mirova’s approach to understand and measure the alignment of its portfolios with climate scenarios.

Collaboration is allowing Natixis IM to take a proactive role in addressing climate change.

Many different types of corporations can have a substantial impact on the future sustainability of the food industry, therefore, investing and enacting change in the right companies may prove crucial for our future.

Mirova’s Mathilde Dufour sits down with Citywire to talk about the main challenges to ESG investing in today’s environment.

Why acceleration capital is well-positioned on the private equity spectrum.

When growth capital makes it possible to build sustainable real estate.

Insurers and reinsurers, both as issuers and investors, are using sustainable bonds to align their ESG strategy with their CSR policy.

Owners of core real estate portfolios seek ESG metrics that enable true impact

Deep understanding of companies and viewing ESG as a key input underpin both investment styles.

How the environmental and social issues associated with the energy sector are addressed through Mirova strategies in the context of the latest European plans.

For investors willing to commit for 15 or more years, the financial and non-financial rewards from essential infrastructure assets are compelling.

Given the diversification of the market in terms of issuers and securities, a rigorous analysis is imperative. Because greenwashing is an ambush.

Why does biodiversity matter and what role does water play?

How meaningful ESG targets, robust credit selection in mid-caps, and inflation mitigation can add value.

The Greenium – the yield that investors concede to companies issuing a green bond compared to the performance they would have required from these same companies for a conventional bond with the same maturity – was long perceived as volatile, hovering in one direction or another according to the seasonality. But it finally became a key issue in 2020.

We are still placing too much hope in carbon capture technologies and offsetting mechanisms, but it is increasingly urgent to electrify our uses, to decarbonize the electricity produced and more generally, to adopt the innovative and virtuous solutions that are already available.

Nathalie Wallace, Global Head of Sustainable Investment at Natixis Investment Managers, explains how the Governance pillar is an integral part of a good ESG strategy and how to drive positive change in organisations.

When growth capital builds the clean mobility of tomorrow.

Insurers must consider ESG risks and opportunities within their strategies, as insurers and investors. They must adapt and innovate to remain competitive.

Assets managed by the private capital industry have seen unprecedented growth over the last decade and this trend is set to continue. MV Credit examines in this article the role that ESG plays against this backdrop of vast capital allocations shifting towards private assets.

Experts from AEW and Natixis analyse the impact of secular trends including; urbanization, climate change, e-commerce, work from home etc. on real estate.

To keep global warming within the boundaries set in the Paris Agreement at the aggregate level, all listed companies, and especially laggards without which our economies cannot run, should reduce their carbon footprint.

Land take regulations to drive land prices, density & Brownfield developments up.

How does Ostrum assess the quality of issuers’ ESG approach and take into account the ESG, CSR and regulatory constraints of its clients, in particular insurance companies.

Mirova’s latest view on the markets, circular economy, the net zero topic and recent investments made.

Energy transition infrastructure can match long-term liabilities, generate high yields and lift pension schemes’ sustainability profiles.

Mirova Europe Environmental Equity strategy’s goals are aligned with the European legislative package "Fit for 55", aiming at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

Rethinking buildings is essential to achieving carbon neutrality. It’s one of the ‘Fit for 55’ objectives and one of the themes of the Mirova Europe Environmental Equity strategy, which invests in companies developing solutions to mitigate the carbon and ecological footprint of the building sector.

Stable returns, protection against inflation, diversification and resilience through cycles are benefits explaining the growing interest of investors in private debt since the foundation of MV Credit in 2000. During the past two years, ESG has firmly moved to the top of the agenda for private investors.

How insurers can gain an edge by combining tailored servicing and active investment.

Know more about Mirova Environmental Impact Private Equity strategy.

Performance must be allied to analysis of true needs of Asia’s institutions.

Key implications and Mirova’s vision of the green bond market.

Shorting carbon intensive companies, as a net-zero strategy aiming at offsetting carbon emissions, has no impact on the net-zero challenge that our societies must tackle to stay within the limits set in the Paris Agreement.

Ossiam looks at the extent to which biodiversity could be a key factor in distinguishing between opportunities and risk in this high-stake sector.

Etienne Vicent, Head of Quant Strategy & Marketing at Ossiam and Isabelle Pajot, Portfolio Manager at Thematics Asset Management, respond to three important questions in this podcast.

Olivier Trecco, Co-Head of ESG Solutions at Natixis IM Solutions, explains how Natixis IM and its affiliate are able to develop bespoke investment solutions for insurers.

Anne-Laurence Roucher, Deputy CEO, Head of Private Equity and Natural Capital at Mirova, explains what tools Mirova has developed to measure carbon footprint of projects and companies it is invested in.

Gwenola Chambon, CEO & Founding Partner at Vauban Infrastructure Partners, explains why Infrastructure has become such a relevant asset class to institutional investors over the last decade, thanks to its unique features.

Marc Romano, Head of Private Equity Funds at Mirova, explains what makes Impact Private Equity a rising asset class, combining financial performance with positive impact on the environment.

Insurers can withstand the pandemic provided that they opt for the right investment solutions.

Insurers can contribute to restoring nature by adding biodiversity to their portfolios.

Mirova explains its approach to responsibility, its internal practices and direct impacts.

Climate change poses physical and transitional risks to many economic sectors, and hence a risk of capital loss to investors. How do they adapt?

In a context of declining forest area in the world due to deforestation, Mirova believes that sustainably managed forest plantations can contribute to meeting some global challenges.

While finance has a key role to play to tackle the climate change challenge, Mirova’s Climate Ambition strategy is an equity strategy aiming at decarbonizing the economy.

Climate change is for banks both a source of risks, in particular transition and reputational risks, and opportunities.

Mirova has established 4 levers of action to accelerate the transition towards a net Zero world: understanding the magnitude of the changes taking place, changing investment patterns, rethinking measurement tools and engaging in dialogue with all their stakeholders.

Mirova as a responsible investor has developed its own assessment framework for environmental and social issues to guide its investment decisions, including ESG criteria and Sustainable Development Goals.

The pandemic has shown the value of a broad asset range and flexible allocation.

Earnings per share, financial multiples, dividend: what have been the biggest contributors to equity market growth over the recent years? Maximizing your total return requires a good allocation and a good understanding of these different performance factors.

Alistair Ho, Head of Private Debt APAC at Natixis IM Hong Kong, explains what are the main opportunities in the APAC infrastructure private debt market.

Proliferation of ESG-Friendly Infrastructure Debt Provides Unprecedented Diversification Opportunity for Investors.

Green and sustainable bonds constitute the best vehicles on bond markets to accelerate the low-carbon transition.

Three experts at Ostrum discuss financial instruments aiming at thwarting climate change, including green bonds.

Ahead of the COP26, Ostrum looked into the climate issue through 4 lenses: mitigation, adaptation, finance and cooperation.

The complimentary of interesting investment ideas and robust data cannot be overstated, as Ossiam’s experience in Italy clearly demonstrates.

Three experts at Ostrum put forward existing solutions to preserve climate, biodiversity and human rights.

Amber Fairbanks, Portfolio Manager, CFA^® at Mirova US, talks to Citywire about their Global Sustainable Equity strategy and what sustainable investing means to them.

Facing global warming, a study jointly conducted by Vauban IP and Altermind argues for accelerating the transition towards sustainable, low carbon and climate-resilient infrastructures through comprehensive and value-driven climate strategies.

ILN Position paper for COP26 and G20, in collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation.

3 experts at Ostrum share their point of view on how to achieve the +2° target of the Paris Agreement.

Allocating acceleration capital to companies with innovative environmental solutions can create positive impact and attractive investment returns.

The European Commission put forward a comprehensive ‘review package’ of Solvency II rules with a potential impact on assets held by insurers.

An in-depth analysis of the sustainable bond market, its outlook for 2021 and its main drivers.

Our connected world means it is now possible for unwanted actors to infiltrate power stations, electricity grids and maybe even democratic elections.

Mirova breaks down the idea that’s redefining the investment industry.

ESG is no passing fad, as more investors are convinced that alpha can be found in ESG and regulators continue to introduce rules to lift ESG standards.

Sidelined by investors’ focus on carbon emissions, biodiversity can no longer be ignored.

This generation that never knew a world without internet is considered to be more socially and environmentally aware.

The pandemic witnessed faster adoption of certain technologies but their sustainability can be quite an odyssey, as solutions never come without risks

How much will climate change impact European Real Estate returns?

Combining smart beta with ESG filtering and carbon reduction techniques shown to enhance returns.

The gradual reduction of public support measures is ushering renewable energies into a new era; that of autonomy on electricity trading markets.

How to manage money market funds sustainably?

S&P Trucost and Natixis IM Solutions detail the extension of the 2°C alignment assessment methodology to private and illiquid asset classes in order to obtain consistent multi-sector, multi-asset class analyses.

Investors and professionals are warming up to the potential of ESG. Our research offers insight into five critical questions about ESG investing.

Today’s world is changing, led by long term transitions: demographic, technological, environmental and related to corporate governance.

Asset managers sorting funds into different sustainability categories realise it’s only the first step on a longer ESG classification journey.

More than ever, green bonds are the focus of attention and the curiosity they are arousing is equalled by the questions they have raised.

One of the most important challenges for institutional investors is to deploy large amounts of capital and manage increasingly high liability commitments in an environment of low-yielding opportunities.

A multipurpose gas with outstanding energy properties: per kilo, as it contains 2.2 times more energy than natural gas, 2.75 times more than petrol and three times more than crude oil.

The Utilities, a sector in transition and at the core of the energy transition, may be an investment opportunity for long term investors such as insurers.

Lender-friendly environment combined with investor focus on sustainability provide a unique opportunity.

Over the last ten years, financial markets, investors and economies have witnessed some of the most extreme, non warrelated events of the XXI century.

The energy, industry, buildings and transport sectors together currently account for three quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions, with mobility alone representing no less than 24% of CO2 emissions caused by energy combustion.

Rapid evolution in sustainable buildings raises the bar for property investors.

Essential, profitable, tangible, mature: all these features explain the growing interest of institutional investors in green infrastructures.

Investment firms with strong corporate cultures can better support D&I efforts.

Resilience is enhanced with infrastructure debt instruments.

What can we expect on the equity markets in 2021 and what are the best strategies for equity insurance management?

In this Clear Path Analysis report, Mirova expert elaborates on how the pandemic crisis may energise infrastructure and where are the opportunities in next generation energy infrastructure.

Global rule-making for sustainable investments is expanding and converging.

Over the past decade, economic losses from natural disasters averaged $150 billion a year. Investors can’t ignore the effects of climate change any longer.

In Europe, companies, investors and regulators have embraced responsible investment. By contrast, the US has been seen as a laggard.

Investment opportunities in the energy transition are no longer limited to the mature solar and wind segments.

Investor Leadership Network Position paper providing practical tools for the investment industry to recognize climate risks sooner and speed the transition to a more sustainable economy.

Ostrum AM has taken a closer look at this market to assess its features, opportunities and limitations of this new product.

Ostrum Private Debt Real Asset team looks into the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the renewable sector.

Core ESG equity portfolios can outperform both ESG benchmarks and financial indices.

Despite regulatory changes relating to ESG and Impact Investing, Trustees are still none the wiser about how to account for climate change in their scheme’s SIPs.

In the face of coronavirus lockdown and resulting economic malaise, multiple data shows the sustainability sector is outperforming the wider market. Yet not all ESG investment managers are the same. Many continue to invest in poor ESG-rated industries while others do not – and some strategies are therefore proving to be more resilient.

Whether voluntarily or in response to regulation, investors are increasingly looking at the links between their portfolios and climate change. So far, there is no clear consensus as to how to perform such evaluations.

Ostrum Private Debt Real Assets team looks into the direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the infrastructure sector.

Four senior female executives discussed how investors’ attitudes have changed at a recent event to celebrate International Women’s Day.

As real estate contributes to 36% of greenhouse gas emissions globally, a deep understanding of climate change related risks for the commercial real estate sector is starting to develop. Climate change risks include both direct physical and indirect transitional risks.

Can you combine Artificial Intelligence (AI) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing? This question was at the core of a fascinating debate between two AI experts: Dr Luc Julia and Dr Carmine de Franco.

Jens Peers explains how divestment from conventional resources and business models, must also be accompanied with strategies for investment into sustainable solutions for the future.

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the growing threat of natural disasters to human safety and explore how technological innovation and adaptation are enabling an effective response.

The Schumpeterian concept of Creative Destruction is alive and well and the waves of innovation are becoming both faster and more violent, especially those backed by large-scale social movements such as climate change.

Climate change is a major systemic risk and perhaps one of the most daunting challenges of our time. We are eager to act together to address this global challenge head on.

Clear Path Analysis invited Christian del Valle, Managing Director at Mirova Natural Capital, to a panel discussion on Impact investing and its drivers.

An insightful approach to ESG investing may require deeper analysis of societal trends and business fundamentals.

Individuals and professionals say ESG investing can help them align assets with personal values—and has the potential to drive real results

There is a growing consensus that educating and employing larger numbers of women can lead to economic growth.

Strong case for including non-financial information in investment decisions.

How computing power can extract alpha from complex ESG data.

How to source stable, long-term cashflows from infrastructure debt with a strong ESG focus

In the annual CDP Europe Awards, Climetrics awarded ten investment funds for their outstanding climate performance.

Frederic Nadal, CEO at MV Credit, explains how important it is for a private debt investor to select loans with an ESG lens.

The Water and Waste sector is central to the development of a sustainable management for natural resources, both at environmental and social levels

The deterioration of the world’s oceans is becoming a global debate.

Experts call for directing private capital to land restoration.

Aligning Economy with Ecology

The European Commission has launched its action plan to channel the capital held by institutional investors and the savings of private citizens towards a sustainable economy.

Insurance companies called upon to keep pace with the energy transition.

Only climate-conscious, active management investment strategies are fit for a 2°C world.

Discover the analysis of Philippe Zaouati, CEO of Mirova and Chair of Finance For Tomorrow.

In fulfillment of the article 173 of the French energy transition law.

Mirova's comment on the IPBES report on the state of land degradation around the world.

Renewable energy is one of the fastest growing segment within the infrastructure market.

Four key insights on Golden State residents and green bonds.

VIDEO (3’19) – Gautier Quéru, Director of the Land Degradation Neutrality Fund Project at Mirova

Mirova's analysis of HLEG recommendations.

Responsible Investment Research

As a nascent but promising market, conservation finance could offer diversified opportunities for institutional investors while fighting global land degradation and deforestation.

An interview with Mirova's CIO.

On top of favoring sustainable development, broadband networks are true infrastructure investment opportunities.

The carbon footprint of the major equity indices exceeds the +2°C objective of the Paris Climate Agreement (COP 21).

Comments on US withdrawal from Paris climate agreement.

In fulfillment of the article 173 of the French energy transition law.

French institutional investors are bound by the Energy transition law to take action.

Allocations to infrastructure assets are rising fast, so specialist skills are required to maintain outperformance and manage risk.

Forces outside of Trump's influence may continue to drive development of clean energy in the US.

Mirova discusses market standards and the lack of a regulatory body for Green Bonds.

Rapid growth of green bonds shows that investors are seizing the opportunity to drive energy transition.

Improved assessment of carbon impact could spur ESG investment and drive innovation.

Mirova's insights on COP21's conclusions.

Investing for a low carbon economy.