Talking Responsibly

This week we're talking Transition Pathway Initiative with Professor Simon Dietz, a man who belies his 71 years of age (according to Google anyway) and talks climate, climate modelling and climate economics with wit, charm and dry humour. We had a lot of fun hanging out in London together last week and hopefully that comes across in the show. Quote of the day: all models are wrong but some models are useful! Rory Sullivan talks Sinead O'Connor on his book review this week https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/316/316809/rememberings/9781844885411.html. Nothing compares 2 U Rory. Please feel free to connect with any of the hosts on LinkedIn or Twitter Simon Dietz: https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/profile/simon-dietz/ Rory Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-sullivan-73188418/ Adam Matthews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-matthews-84926b31/ David Hickey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hickey-cfa-05633526/

This week we're talking Net Zero, with Dan Gardiner of the Institutional Investor Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) and Valentin Jahn of the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI). These experts take us on a journey looking at what net zero means (it's not as straightforward as it sounds), how a company comes up with a net zero business plan (it's not as straightforward as it sounds) and what investors need to do to help the transition to a net zero economy (it's not as straightforward as it sounds - you get the picture). Rory Sullivan is back talking about the weird world of book collecting - http://www.nicholasroyle.com/white-spines.html Please feel free to connect with any of the hosts on LinkedIn or Twitter Dan Gardiner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-gardiner-278a4860/ Valentin Jahn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentin-julius-jahn-18384973/ Rory Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-sullivan-73188418/ Adam Matthews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-matthews-84926b31/ David Hickey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hickey-cfa-05633526/

This week we try a slightly different format, featuring Nazmeera Moola, Head of South Africa Investments at Ninety One Asset Management, and Victoria Barron, Head of Sustainable Investments at BT Pension Fund. We discuss how to go about investing sustainably in Africa, how to tie sustainability to sovereign debt, and ask just how do we measure the carbon footprint of a nation anyway? Rory Sullivan is back with yet another 5 lessons - never fall for the charms of a private equity baron! https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/316/316807/the-key-man/9780241439104.html Please feel free to connect with any of the hosts on LinkedIn or Twitter Nazmeera Moola: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nazmeera-moola-77976823/ Victoria Barron: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-barron-b8105a6/ Ninety One South Africa: https://ninetyone.com/en/south-africa/how-we-think/insights ASCOR Project: https://www.unpri.org/news-and-events/the-ascor-project-assessing-sovereign-climate-related-opportunities-and-risks/7681.article Rory Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-sullivan-73188418/ Adam Matthews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-matthews-84926b31/ David Hickey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hickey-cfa-05633526/

This week we are joined by the head of stewardship and main architect of the Financial Reporting Council's new Stewardship Code, Claudia Chapman. This week the FRC announced the very first signatories to the new UK Code, and we discuss the challenges and opportunities for both asset owners and asset managers in using the code as a reporting and communication tool. Claudia is a fantastic speaker, so this is an extremely easy listen! Rory Sullivan turns full-on influencer this week, with 5 life lessons from a classic https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/What_They_Don_t_Teach_You_at_Harvard_Bus/vQn5jwEACAAJ?hl=en Please feel free to connect with any of the hosts on LinkedIn or Twitter Claudia Chapman: https://twitter.com/rileynowchapman?lang=en & https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiachapman/ Rory Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-sullivan-73188418/ Adam Matthews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-matthews-84926b31/ David Hickey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hickey-cfa-05633526/

This week we have the holder of the best job title in all of responsible investment, John Howchin. We talk about the mine tailings initiative, how we can use that as a model, and where we might want to use that model next. Some really interesting discussions on what the next steps in responsible ownership for large asset owners might look like - a Marshall Plan for climate stewardship. Gripping stuff. Rory Sullivan pens a love letter to Roddy Doyle in this week's chat about books. Video of the Brumadinho tailings facility collapse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKZUZQytads Please feel free to connect with any of the hosts on LinkedIn or Twitter John Howchin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-howchin-7261a66b/ Rory Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-sullivan-73188418/ Adam Matthews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-matthews-84926b31/ David Hickey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hickey-cfa-05633526/

This week we are joined by the Chief Operating Officer (and joint Chief Sustainability Officer) of Uniper, David Bryson. Uniper have a large fleet of largely fossil based electricity production assets, and so this was a perfect chance to talk about the energy transition with a strategically inportant company with much work to do to transition their assets. With an outline aggressive net zero plan for 2035, David's role in making the future of the European power fit for the future is hugely important. He's also a great guy to talk to. Rory Sullivan looks back on the decade we could have stopped climate change, with Nathaniel Rich's work: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/08/01/magazine/climate-change-losing-earth.html Please feel free to connect with any of the hosts on LinkedIn or Twitter David Bryson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bryson-2064a919/ Rory Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-sullivan-73188418/ Adam Matthews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-matthews-84926b31/ David Hickey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hickey-cfa-05633526/

This week we are joined by current PRI CEO Fiona Reynolds, a giant in the responsible investment scene. We talk about what led to the decision for her to stand down from the PRI to return to Australia, where disclosure stands at the moment, and really try and get a feel for what responsible investment really means. We're so grateful to have her on. Rory Sullivan with his dullest and yet arguable most useful book of the week this week - definitely one to put on the buy list: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/An_Introduction_to_Corporate_Environment/LKo0DwAAQBAJ?hl=en Please feel free to connect with any of the hosts on LinkedIn or Twitter Fiona Reynolds: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-reynolds-6b987168/ Rory Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-sullivan-73188418/ Adam Matthews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-matthews-84926b31/ David Hickey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hickey-cfa-05633526/

Our guest this week is CalSTERS's Kirsty Jenkinson. Kirsty joins us from scorching Sacramento, an area very much feeling the brunt of climate change in recent years. We talk her work in backing the Engine No 1 Re-energize Exxon campaign, and how to implement sustainability and impact across a multi-asset portfolio. Kirsty is a very bright investment mind and we are truly honoured to have her join us. Rory Sullivan rights a longstanding wrong with this week's book review, with a departure from his more usual accessible texts: https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/environmental-governance-in-europe-9781782545026.html Please feel free to connect with any of the hosts on LinkedIn or Twitter CalSTERS: https://www.calstrs.com/ Rory Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-sullivan-73188418/  Adam Matthews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-matthews-84926b31/  David Hickey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hickey-cfa-05633526/

This week we are joined by two warriors of the investment management industry. BlackRock's Gavin Lewis and LGIM's Justin Onuekwusi are leading figures in the #TalkAboutBlack initiative, whose mission is to help drive greater inclusion of black talent in the investment management industry. Join us as we talk about issues with corporate culture, the high expectations surrounding black people in our industry, and what white allies can contribute to help break the cycle of little real change happening. It's a real pleasure to help get this message across in any way we can. Rory Sullivan joins us with an unexpected Netflix review! https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/No_Rules_Rules/M1XADwAAQBAJ?hl=en Please feel free to connect with any of the hosts on LinkedIn or Twitter #TalkAboutBlack: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talkaboutblack/ Gavin Lewis: Gavin@talkaboutblack.com Justin Onuekwusi: Justin@talkaboutblack.com Rory Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-sullivan-73188418/ Adam Matthews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-matthews-84926b31/ David Hickey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hickey-cfa-05633526/

This week we're joined by investment management royalty, Jupiter's Edward Bonham Carter. We have a wide ranging conversation including greenwashing, the current glut of disclosure, the lack of justice in some environmental solutions, shadow boards and influential siblings. It's quite the episode. Edward is remarkably easy to chat to, a really good sport, and we all had a great time bantering away. Just make sure you don't get on the wrong side of his dog! Rory Sullivan gets with the programme, and gives us a book section worthy of the Rock 'n' Rollers' guide to responsible investment! Please feel free to connect with any of the hosts on LinkedIn or Twitter Jupiter Asset Management: www.jupiteram.com Rory Sullivan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-sullivan-73188418/ Adam Matthews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-matthews-84926b31/ David Hickey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hickey-cfa-05633526/