MMC UK Pension Fund
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2019-2020, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2019-2020
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:82,689.8 mtCO2e (2020)
Scope 1 Emissions:19,298.0 mtCO2e (2020)
Scope 2 Emissions:19,260.0 mtCO2e (2020)
Scope 3 Emissions:44,131.8 mtCO2e (2020)
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Corporate Governance
- Social Impact
- Cybersecurity
Environmental Achievements
- Pledged to be carbon neutral in 2021 through emission reductions and verifiable offsets.
- Committed to reduce carbon emissions by 15% below 2019 levels by 2025.
- Opened 20th "smart office" in San Francisco showcasing sustainable practices.
- Launched an integrated global renewable energy practice for insurance broking and risk advisory services.
Social Achievements
- Launched "Leading the Change" initiative to combat racism, bigotry, and discrimination.
- Appointed a Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer and established a Race Advisory Council.
- Published Client Engagement Principles to support sustainable development goals.
- Core engagement score (measuring colleague investment in work) increased by 7% to 82%.
Governance Achievements
- Expanded the Corporate Responsibility Committee's charter to include oversight of ESG initiatives and renamed it the ESG Committee.
- Endorsed the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
- Appointed 5th consecutive diverse candidate to the Board of Directors.
- 100% of colleagues certified their commitment to 'The Greater Good' and integrity.
Climate Goals & Targets
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce carbon emissions by 15% below 2019 levels by 2025.
Environmental Challenges
- COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on colleagues, clients, and communities.
- Climate change and its associated physical and transition risks.
- Systemic racism and inequality.
- Cybersecurity threats.
Mitigation Strategies
- Established a $5 million Colleague Support Fund to aid colleagues facing financial hardship.
- Implemented flexible work arrangements and enhanced support programs for colleagues.
- Launched initiatives to support communities affected by the pandemic.
- Developed strategies to manage climate-related risks, including TCFD adoption and client engagement principles.
- Created a Race Advisory Council and implemented diversity and inclusion initiatives.
- Strengthened cybersecurity program and provided training to colleagues.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier diversity program
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme weather events
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes
- Market shifts
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products and services
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB, TCFD
Certifications: CarbonNeutral® (Oliver Wyman)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
- Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
- Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
- Goal 13 (Climate Action)
- Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being)
- Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)
The company's work aligns with these SDGs through various initiatives detailed in the report.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Renewable energy practice
- Smart office initiatives
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
Environmental Achievements
- 38% reduction in carbon intensity in the Mercer Growth Fund (vs 2019)
- 37% reduction in carbon intensity across Legacy Sections' Buy and Maintain Investment Grade Credit mandates (vs 2021)
- 38% reduction in carbon intensity in the JLT Section's Diversified Growth Fund (vs 2019)
Social Achievements
- Published its first Sustainable Investment Policy
Governance Achievements
- Updated Terms of Reference for the Investment Committee to include oversight of ESG integration and reporting
- Provided various training sessions covering climate-related investment risks and TCFD reporting requirements
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Marsh McLennan's commitment to net-zero across its core operations by 2050, with a 50% emissions reduction target by 2030
- MGIE's ultimate net zero portfolio carbon emissions target by 2050 for the Mercer Diversified Growth Fund
Medium-term Goals:
- Reduce carbon intensity in the Mercer Growth Fund by at least 45% from 2019 baseline levels by 2030
- Reduce carbon intensity across the Buy and Maintain Investment Grade Credit mandates in aggregate by at least 40% by 2030
- Reduce the carbon intensity of the Diversified Growth Fund allocation by at least 45% from 2019 baseline levels by 2030
Short-term Goals:
- Review Trustee targets to ensure they remain appropriate
Environmental Challenges
- Limited or unavailable data from illiquid asset managers in the Defined Benefit Section (property, private debt, private equity)
- Data gaps in climate-related reporting from some public listed companies and emerging market equities
Mitigation Strategies
- Working with investment managers to increase data quality and availability
- Using proxy data where full data is unavailable
- Focusing on high emitters in the portfolio and providing financial support to enable issuers to transition to lower carbon intensity
Supply Chain Management
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Storms, wildfires, droughts, floods, reduced productivity of labor and agriculture, resource scarcity
Transition Risks
- Policy and legislation changes, market shifts, technology changes, reputational risks
Opportunities
- Development of low-carbon technologies and nature-based solutions, investments in climate-resilient infrastructure and real estate, investments in energy conservation and resource efficiency
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: TCFD
Third-party Assurance: EY (third-party evaluator of Mercer)