Pensions ESG
Supporting pension schemes on the full range of environmental, social and governance matters
Environmental, social and governance considerations have rapidly risen up the agenda for pension schemes. To date, much of the focus has been on climate change, but other elements of ESG are starting to receive increasing attention. Our market-leading team of multidisciplinary and highly experienced lawyers are at the forefront of supporting clients on ESG issues. We are experienced in advising on a wide range of matters, from the detail of TCFD governance and reporting to broader questions such as whether trustees can and should invest for net zero.
Read our guides and insights
Can trustees invest for “net zero”?
4 October 2022
Last year’s Climate Change Regulations, and this year’s hot summer, have prompted pension trustees to think more about climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. Some trustees would like to adopt a “net zero” investment strategy. Does the law allow this?
Diversity on trustee boards
26 September 2022
The diversity of trustee boards is becoming a hot topic at industry events and a focus for the Pensions Regulator. In this blog, we provide an introduction to the issue of diversity on trustee boards, including why it’s important and what the Regulator is doing about it.
Impact investments: walking the legal tightrope
25 July 2022
The market for impact investments has grown substantially over the last few years and is forecast to expand further. In this blog for the Linklaters Pensions Team, Jack Gillions considers impact investing and the key challenges posed by pension trustees’ fiduciary and other legal duties.
“Greenwashing” – does your investment really do what it says on the tin?
18 July 2022
“Greenwashing” is a hot topic both in consumer circles and at institutional level. In this post we look at some of the risks of greenwashing for UK pension scheme trustees and how they can protect themselves against these.
UK Pensions – Enhanced climate change reporting requirements from 1 October
22 June 2022
From 1 October, trustees of larger occupational pension schemes and authorised master trusts will be required to measure and report on an additional climate change metric as part of their Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) governance and disclosure obligations.
UK Pensions – Climate Change: Action Required
10 June 2022
New requirements for occupational pension schemes to align their governance processes and disclosures with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations came into force on 1 October 2021. Initially, they applied only to the very largest schemes with £5 billion or more in assets. However, from 1 October 2022, many more schemes will be caught by the requirements.
The growth of climate litigation: what does it mean for UK pension schemes?
26 May 2022
There has been a significant growth in climate and other ESG litigation in recent years both in the UK and elsewhere across the globe. Not only that, but some claims are succeeding – a trend which is set to continue. But what does this mean for pension scheme trustees in the UK?
Enhanced climate change reporting requirements coming soon
26 October 2021
Hot on the heels of the new climate change requirements which came into force on 1 October, the Government has published a consultation on proposed amendments to those requirements.
UK Pensions - New climate change requirements for larger pension schemes
19 July 2021
New requirements for occupational pension schemes to align their governance processes and disclosures with the Task Force.
Points to note from TPR’s Climate Change Strategy
10 May 2021
With ESG issues remaining a hot topic for pension scheme trustees, we highlight three points arising from the Regulator’s new Climate Change Strategy, which was published in April, for trustees to be aware of.
UK Pensions – Turning up the heat on climate change requirements for pension schemes
2 February 2021
Last year, the government consulted on groundbreaking new requirements for occupational pension schemes to align their governance processes and disclosures with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. Now the government has published a response to the consultation, together with a consultation on the draft regulations and draft statutory guidance required to implement the government’s policy proposals.
Initially the requirements would apply only to larger pension schemes and authorised master trusts, but smaller pension schemes should expect similar requirements to extend to them in the coming years. All trustees should therefore pay attention to these important developments.
