Sustainable Pensions Corporate Survey

UKSIF has published its 2009 report “Responsible Business: Sustainable Pensions”

The survey assesses how the pension funds of the UK’s Corporate Responsibility Leaders are approaching Responsible Investment (RI).

It shows clear and exciting evidence that a group of RI champions is beginning to emerge. Trustee leadership is driving this change. Its key findings include:

  • 4 out of 5 pension funds surveyed have a RI policy
  • Almost all trustees of larger funds believe ESG factors can have material impact
  • 1 out of 3 of funds give ‘great’ significance to aligning approach with plan sponsor’s CSR policy
  • 9 our of 10 funds with a RI policy exercise voting rights
  • Detailed communication to members and other stakeholders on the RI policy and its implementation remains relatively low

This second biannual survey ranks leading pension funds, using a ‘name and fame’ approach. BT Pension Scheme retained its Platinum ranking, while The Barclays UK Retirement Fund, BP Pension Fund and HBOS Final Salary Pension Scheme all progressed to a Gold Ranking (from Silver in 2007). A further 13 funds were ranked Silver.

High ranking funds in 2009 have been awarded with a logo.

We would like to thank Hermes Fund Managers and KBC Asset Management for sponsoring the survey.

 

Information for Corporate Responsibility Managers

With this survey, we are encouraging Corporate Responsibility managers to look at collaborative approaches between their work and the Responsible Investment approach of the corporate pension fund.

Five Frequently Asked Questions for CSR Managers