Construction industry super fund Cbus Super is targeting a 45% reduction in its absolute portfolio emissions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.
As part of its two-year Climate Change Roadmap, Cbus Super, which had an average member age of 39, said it was the firm’s responsibility “to see our members retire securely in a safe climate”.
Chief investment officer Kristian Fok said: “It’s our responsibility to safeguard their investments as the financial impacts and physical effects of climate change intensify”.
In order to achieve its target, the fund would reduce its portfolio emissions by investing further in renewable energy and climate solutions and a focus on green recovery as well as setting individual targets for different asset classes.
It would also work to understand companies that were at risk of not transitioning due to the products they produce or lack of management capability, known as ‘stranded assets’. These constraints would be introduced into the firm’s internal quantitative portfolios.
“Cbus is able to help reduce emissions in the real economy and avoid assets that will increasingly become stranded as the economy transitions. We have been doing a significant amount of work to determine those assets that aren’t able to transition to a net zero environment, and this work will ramp up under our new road map,” added Fok.
In light of its updated target, the firm was the first Australian financial to sign up to the United Nations Convened Net Zero Asset Owners Alliance, whose members had over $4 trillion in assets under management.
The super fund has significantly grown its membership following the inclusion of Zurich’s OneCare Super policyholders.
Super balances have continued to rise in August, with research showing Australian funds have maintained strong momentum, delivering steady gains for members.
Australian Retirement Trust and State Street Investment Management have entered a partnership to deliver global investment insights and practice strategies to Australian advisers.
CPA Australia is pressing the federal government to impose stricter rules on the naming and marketing of managed investment and superannuation products that claim to be “sustainable”, “ethical”, or “responsible”, warning that vague or untested claims are leaving investors exposed.