Overview

In November, the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) was hosted in Glasgow. This event brought together world leaders to progress the goals of the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rises to 1.5^oC and reduce carbon emissions. Reaching this target requires concerted policy action and is dependent on countries accelerating their plans to reach net zero emissions. Significant change is needed over the next decade.

The global scale of the challenges ahead can often feel insurmountable, but financial institutions will have a significant impact on whether or not we are successful, reflected in the “mobilise finance” goal of COP26. 

This session focused on clear actions and strategies that DC scheme trustees, employers and providers can take to progress their net zero journey.

We set out the actions that schemes can take, including ‘easy wins’ accessible to smaller and larger arrangements, as well as more ambitious strategies to consider. The session featured guest speakers Laura Andrikopoulos, Chair of the Hymans Robertson DC Scheme Governance Committee, and Maria Nazarova-Doyle, Head of Pension Investments and RI at Scottish Widows, to discuss their experiences, challenges and successes on their journeys to net zero so far.