FSSA Investment Managers
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2023)
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Corporate Governance
- Climate Change and Decarbonization
- People and Communities
- Modern Slavery
Environmental Achievements
- 78% of assets under management (AUM) reviewed for net-zero ambitions as of October 31, 2023.
- Developed a centralized engagement tracking system to monitor ESG concerns and actions.
- Reduced power consumption and increased renewable energy share in Kansai Nerolac Paints.
Social Achievements
- Engaged with companies on labor rights, food safety, and quality control.
- Highlighted positive developments in corporate governance in Japan.
- Visited NGOs in Asia to gain insights into social challenges.
Governance Achievements
- Engaged with companies on board independence, remuneration policies, and succession plans.
- Actively participated in proxy voting, engaging in constructive dialogue with companies.
- Observed positive trends in corporate governance in Japan.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Align holdings with IPCC's 1.5°C warming goal and net-zero emissions by 2050.
Medium-term Goals:
- By 2030: Assess 100% of AUM; increase percentage of AUM aligned to net zero by 2050.
Short-term Goals:
- By 2025: 25% of assessed companies to be aligned to net zero by 2050; 100% disclosure of Scope 1 and 2 emissions; encourage alignment with SBTi.
Environmental Challenges
- Inaccurate or outdated ESG ratings from third-party providers, especially in emerging markets.
- Difficulty in quantifying the impact of ESG initiatives.
- Challenges in decarbonizing portfolios due to varying company progress and timelines.
- Rising emissions in some portfolio companies despite overall lower intensity.
- Modern slavery risks across various industries and regions.
Mitigation Strategies
- Utilizes a bottom-up approach, focusing on in-depth company analysis and direct engagement with management.
- Emphasizes qualitative assessment alongside quantitative data.
- Developed a multi-phase decarbonization process with tiered assessments and engagement plans.
- Focuses on long-term engagement and improvement, rather than immediate penalties.
- Leveraging FSI’s Modern Slavery Toolkit to identify and address risks.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Thorough supply chain audits, including on-site visits.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products (e.g., Midea's R290 air conditioners).
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: NZIFIG (Net Zero Investment Framework Implementation Guide)
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Midea's R290 air conditioners