Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance publishes decarbonisation targets

Written by Adam Cadle

14/01/2021

Thirty-three of the world’s largest investors, representing $5.1trn of assets under management, have committed to setting and reporting on 2025 targets to support the transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The Inaugural 2025 Target Setting Protocol comes as individual members of the UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance begin to publish their own 2025 decarbonisation targets within a 16-29% range. Target-setting through the Protocol was developed by members of the Alliance and follows a rigorous approach.

The targets are structured in four pillars: engagement; portfolio decarbonisation targets; sectoral targets; and climate positive investments.

Günther Thallinger, Alliance chair and member of the board of management Allianz SE, said: “The founding of the Alliance and the publication of the Protocol has set the net-zero implementation ball rolling. Investors and companies across the globe must follow by publishing their own rigorous, science-based and accountable targets. We, the Alliance members, start out by truly changing ourselves today and then work with other companies to achieve change.”

The Protocol covers multiple asset classes and encompasses even the hardest-to-abate sectors. Taking a sectoral approach means that these investors will be stepping up their work to move high-carbon companies to make the changes required for the net-zero transition.

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