Fiduciary duty vs climate action: the battle over pension fund investments

Is the UK government getting nature policy wrong and what does it mean for the economy?In this episode of Sustainable Views, reporter Florence Jones speaks to Craig Bennett, CEO of The Wildlife Trusts, about the UK’s approach to biodiversity, the risks of weakening environmental protections, and why nature loss is far more than an environmental issue. From food security and flood prevention to economic resilience and public health, Bennett argues that restoring nature is fundamental to long-term prosperity.We also explore the growing disconnect within government policy, the role of business in pushing for clarity and stability, and why framing nature as a barrier to growth could prove a costly mistake.TimestampsTimestamps:00:00 Intro00:55 What is the impact of nature depletion02:38 How UK government nature policy has changed05:55: HS2 Bat Tunnel09:30 Reform voters back nature policies13:21 How nature can impact other policy goals16:03 Fingleton Review20:30 Business view on natureSustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pension funds control trillions in global savings. But should they be doing more to support climate action? In this episode of Sustainable Views, the team explores the growing debate over fiduciary duty and whether pension trustees can, or should, prioritise sustainability alongside financial returns. Philippa Nuttall discusses with Elizabeth Meager and Florence Jones recent legal opinions suggesting that climate risk is a financial risk, meaning it may already fall within pension funds’ legal responsibilities.Florence examines new developments in the UK, where the government is encouraging consolidation of smaller pension schemes into large megafunds capable of investing in infrastructure, clean energy and other long-term assets.Beyond the UK, the episode looks at political and legal battles in the US and regulatory approaches in the EU, highlighting how ESG and climate considerations are becoming increasingly contested.As lawsuits, politics and policy debates intensify, the episode asks a key question: can pension capital help finance the climate transition, or will legal uncertainty continue to slow progress?You can watch this podcast on Sustainable Views or YouTube.Read more here:Trillions in US pension assets out of reach for local climate projectsESG engagement stops at sovereign bond marketEU vastly underestimates debt impact of climate change, report showsEditor’s note: where does sustainability end and defence begin?Timestamps:00:00 - Fiduciary and government roles in pensions02:29 - What the UK government is hoping happens with pensions06:46 - Global pension perspectives12:24 - Future of investmentsSustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How should businesses navigate human rights in a more fragmented world?In this episode of Sustainable Views, editor Philippa Nuttall sits down with Michael Clements, Executive Director for Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, to discuss the growing expectations on companies to protect workers, manage supply chain risks and respond to political and regulatory pressure. From mandatory due diligence to reputational risk and stakeholder activism, we explore how the human rights agenda is evolving — and what it means for boards, investors and sustainability leaders today.Read more here:The material risks of human rights in the reconstruction of GazaDue diligence act means companies ‘give a damn’Investors will use ESG data if it is decision usefulDo sustainability disclosures change corporate behaviour?Simplified ESRS more ‘decision-useful’ for business and investorsSustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philippa Nuttall is joined by US reporter and acting deputy editor, Elizabeth Meager and UK reporter Florence Jones to discuss the evolving role of corporate responsibility and corporate reporting. Corporate reporting is still mainly focused on climate impacts and emissions. Under the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, for example, companies must also report on nature and social indicators, and the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, when it comes into force, should shine a greater spotlight on human rights abuses.In the US, despite fear of retribution from the Trump administration, companies are being challenged to speak out more. With new issues around the use of AI and how companies should be responding as the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol or ICE expands its role, pressure on businesses to take a stance is growing.Additional reading:ICE’s expansion leaves US companies with a choice they cannot dodgeAs companies adopt AI, can investors trust corporate reporting?00:00 Intro1:10 Companies response to ICE5:03 Reputational risk6:44 Corporate reporting8:20 Impact of AI14:05 New ESG regulation16:33 AI climate reportingSustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2025 was a tough year for sustainability. With Trump's attacks on green energy, to uncertainty over regulation and subsidies, the direction of travel is becoming less predictable for governments and businesses alike.In this episode, Sustainable Views editor Philippa Nuttall is joined by Elizabeth Meager and Florence Jones to explore how the sustainability landscape is evolving in 2026, with companies and countries adjusting strategies, managing risk and investing in solutions that continue to attract support, including regenerative agriculture and carbon credits. We also look at where momentum is still building globally, and what this means for sustainability and investors in the year ahead.00:00 - Sustainability at the start of 202603:08 - The US sustainability transition09:10 - Tax and carbon credits17:30 - Future sustainability trends to watchRequired reading:Despite fragmentation, the energy transition is advancingWind and solar generated more power than fossil fuels in 2025 in EU milestoneMicrosoft looks to soil carbon credits as its emissions surgeSustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sustainable Views team discuss the chaos of 2025 and what to expect from the coming year in sustainability, litigation, technology and environmental policy.At the end of the year the full Sustainable Views editorial team gathered to talk about the biggest sustainability stories of 2025. From environmental rollbacks in the EU and US to climate attribution science in the courts, data centres’ energy use and tropical forests, the team runs through what they saw and what it means for businesses.Philippa, Elizabeth, Florence, Erin and Aniket also look ahead to 2026, detailing what they will be keeping an eye out for, where further deregulation is likely, and what businesses need to know as they kick off a new year.00:00 - Sustainability and policy making in 202506:13 - UK energy and nature debate11:58 - Litigation and AI trends17:50 - COP30 and the future outlookWant to learn more about #sustainability policy in 2025 and beyond? Subscribe to Sustainable Views here.Required reading:Companies need coherence — fragmentation is still a structural riskEU 2040 target deal sets the stage for carbon pricing reforms in 2026Can fiduciary reform close the gap between pension climate rhetoric and reality?Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As COP30 in Belém, Brazil comes to a close, Sustainable Views editor Philippa Nuttall sits down with reporter Florence Jones to unpack the key outcomes of this year’s pivotal climate summit. In this episode, they break down the biggest announcements, assess which climate commitments made headlines, and explore what was left out of the final COP30 agreement, from finance to fossil fuels.Philippa and Florence also look ahead to the future of COP negotiations, examining how the structure of the conference may evolve and which voices could shape global climate policy in the years to come.For deeper analysis on global climate diplomacy, sustainable finance and ESG regulation, visit Sustainable Views.Subscribe to the Sustainable Views podcast — available on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube — and catch new episodes every month.Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sustainable Views, editor Philippa Nuttall is joined by acting deputy editor Elizabeth Meager and reporter Florence Jones to preview COP30, the next major UN climate conference set to take place in Brazil.They explore what’s at stake as world leaders, negotiators and activists gather to assess progress since the Paris Agreement and whether countries are on track to meet their 2030 climate goals. They also discuss the key themes expected to dominate the talks, from climate finance and adaptation to the role of emerging economies in the global energy transition.Subscribe to the Sustainable Views podcast, available on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. A new episode is released each month.Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sustainable Views, editor Philippa Nuttall is joined by acting deputy editor Elizabeth Meager and reporter Florence Jones to discuss the rising trend of climate litigation. With the backlash in Europe and the US against more stringent climate regulations, individuals and activists are turning to the courts to fight for climate justice.This episode looks at some of the recent landmark cases brought against governments and companies as well as the emergence of attribution science and how that may help strengthen legal cases brought against polluters.Subscribe to the Sustainable Views podcast, available on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. A new episode is released each month.Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In September, Sustainable Views Acting Deputy Editor Elizabeth Meager attended New York Climate Week. In this episode she sits down with Sustainable Views editor Philippa Nuttall to discuss the key themes that emerged and what they reveal about the state of climate policy and finance.While corporate and political ambition was on display, many conversations focused on implementation gaps, financing difficulties, and the challenging political climate in the US when it comes to environmental and energy policy.Subscribe to the Sustainable Views podcast, available on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. A new episode is released each month.Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.