LONDON, December 23, 2024 – In a significant move towards sustainability, a recent poll conducted by WTW at its annual Pensions & Savings conference revealed that nearly half of those present believe their mission, when running a pension scheme, should consider the environmental impact that the scheme could have.
The poll, which included 148 pensions professionals and trustees, found that 78% of respondents support either a beneficiary mission that maximises the value of members’ benefits, or a wider mission that incorporates climate change considerations, with nearly half (44%) opting for the wider mission. Less than a quarter (22%) of respondents feel they have a narrow mission just to pay benefits as they fall due.
James Wintle, Managing Director at WTW, commented on the results, stating: "Our polling clearly shows a strong commitment from trustees and professionals to integrate climate impact into their decisions. This is not just about compliance but about leading with responsibility towards a sustainable future.
“This is not just about compliance but about leading with responsibility towards a sustainable future.”
James Wintle | Managing Director, Retirement
“This underscores the growing trend among pension trustees to prioritise environmental factors in their decision-making, reflecting the pensions industry’s desire to do more for both its members and the environment. This is not just about managing schemes’ own climate risk but also about considering the wider climate impact of their decisions.
“Fiduciary duty has historically been quite narrowly defined but, with the intent to do better, we are finding ways for the industry to play a positive role anyway. A wider recognition that fiduciary duty does not have to be a blocker would no doubt be welcome by many to give comfort to those wanting to do more that they can safely do so.”
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