All Opinion Pieces articles – Page 23
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Opinion PiecesConsultants’ education role in net-zero world
Investment consultants play a crucial role within the savings and investments arena. They provide strategic advice to asset owners (pension funds, sovereign funds, endowments, insurers, and others) relating to strategy, asset allocation, asset manager selection and – now more importantly than ever – investment beliefs.
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Opinion PiecesPension funds should seek fee reductions in private markets
Pension fund investment in non-listed assets has grown considerably since the 2008 global financial crisis.
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Opinion PiecesNotes on the Nordics: Moves may set up net-zero goal for GPFG
Two events have happened in quick succession that increase the chances of Norway instructing its huge sovereign wealth fund to push for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its investment portfolio.
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Opinion PiecesViewpoint: Dump fossil fuels?
It is unrealistic to expect energy to become cheaper in the months to come
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Opinion PiecesViewpoint: We cannot let the fear of greenwashing impede real change
You could be forgiven for thinking greenwashing is everywhere
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Opinion PiecesViewpoint: Reform lessons from abroad
Pensions systems can be hard to compare but experiences from other countries can help illuminate the current Dutch reform process
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Opinion PiecesPolicy underpins action
Politicians in a variety of different places understandably want to harness the capital of institutional investors. Dutch and UK politicians in particular have made no secret of their desire for local pension funds to invest for domestic ends.
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Opinion PiecesAfrica’s challenge for Europe
“Europe needs to create a new ‘spice route’ through Africa to the markets of Asia”. That was what Martin Schoeller, managing director of the Schoeller Group, a diversified services company with a focus on sustainability, told me in a discussion on the need for greater European investment in Africa.
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Opinion Pieces
Notes from the Netherlands: Truly Paris aligned
A milestone was reached in July when the first Dutch pension fund announced its divestment from fossil fuels. Surprisingly, the fund in question was neither civil service scheme ABP nor healthcare fund PFZW, the two largest Dutch funds, both of which have the ambition to be leaders in sustainable and responsible.
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Opinion PiecesGuest Viewpoint: Amlan Roy - Changing mindsets on demography is vital
Recent news headlines have warned about the implications of current and projected population growth declines. This article provides perspective on impending demographic changes and their manifold implications
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Opinion PiecesOpportunities beyond the traditional approach to PE
The many thousands of fast-growing small and mid-sized companies globally represent the potential giants of tomorrow, and also provide a fertile hunting ground for those seeking superior investment opportunities.
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Opinion PiecesLetter from Australia: Too good to be true?
If Australia’s latest five-yearly Intergenerational Report (IGR) is to be taken seriously, Australian retirees can look forward to comfortable retirements 40 years hence.
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Opinion PiecesLetter from US: SEC looks towards mandatory ESG disclosure by companies
October will be an important month for investors and corporations as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will then propose new rules on climate change and other environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.
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Opinion PiecesNorway SWF’s net-zero plans under scrutiny
Last month the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund – Government Pension Fund Global – was reprimanded by several industry experts and economists for not having yet joined the United Nations-convened Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance.
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Opinion PiecesViewpoint: Closing the emerging market climate finance gap
‘Extending loans to emerging markets will not be enough’
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Opinion PiecesViewpoint: Learning from the Nordics for impact investing
A meaningful allocation is important
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Opinion PiecesViewpoint: Time to start rebalancing portfolios
A whiff of ‘stagflation’ – meaning an economic slowdown accompanied by higher inflation – could soon be wafting into financial market
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Opinion PiecesLetter from Australia: When the ‘kill switch’ misfires
The Australian government is attempting to push through Parliament legislation that would selectively benchmark the performance of superannuation funds – but has given up its intention to override investment decisions made by super funds.
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Opinion Pieces
Social risks impact on employer covenant
The UK’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recent consultation – Consideration of social risks and opportunities by occupational pension schemes – seeks to assess how trustees understand ‘social’ factors and how they aim to integrate financially material social factors into investment and stewardship activities.
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Opinion PiecesGuest Viewpoint - Cyril Demaria: Three lessons on private market investing
Writing our book Asset Allocation and Private Markets has led its authors to revisit an old adage, venture on an unusual path, and confront an academic theory.




