Pension funds

The two investment funds will support small and medium-sized enterprises, aiming to address a funding gap which has hindered local business growth, according to the pension scheme.

The venture, which was started by a firm chaired by former US vice president Al Gore, will use the money to accelerate investment in natural climate solutions.

The UK’s National Wealth Fund has committed £250m as a cornerstone investor to NextPower UK ESG, which focuses on new-build solar projects.

The CEO of Pensions for Purpose talks to Impact Investor about key trends and themes, the bifurcation of investors who are doing a little and those who are doing a lot, and the need for greater innovation in the impact industry.

As the UK government moves forward with reforms in the local government pensions sector, Anna Shiel, chief investment officer at Better Society Capital, explores the challenges and opportunities of leveraging impact investing to drive local growth.

The pension asset manager made the deal on behalf of Dutch healthcare scheme PFWZ, which has allocated €1bn to the energy transition over the next few years.

Although asset owners view nature-based solutions as crucial to deal with the challenges of climate change, most funds lack dedicated governance structures and expertise to report on nature-related risks, a new report by Pensions for Purpose has found.

Blended finance is mobilising private investment to meet development aims, but it needs to be part of a wider toolbox of support from national and supra-national bodies, World Economic Forum delegates heard.

The new early-stage venture capital fund aims to raise as much as €100m and to invest in climate and deep tech firms in the energy, materials, industrials, and food sectors.

The LGPS fund’s investment will go towards building affordable housing in the north-west of England, as waiting lists for social housing continue to rise.