This follows Willis Towers Watson’s previous net zero commitment across 100% of its discretionary assets around the world which is fully aligned with the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative objectives. As part of the Initiative, Willis Towers Watson will work in partnership with other stakeholders to enable and support the system level change required for the transition to a net zero economy.
Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative is an international group of asset managers, united by a commitment to the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner, in line with global efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C, and to supporting investing aligned with reaching that goal by 2050 or sooner.
Today’s announcement means that the combined signatories have now pledged a collective $43 trillion in assets under management will be subject to a detailed set of commitments to achieve these aims.
Chris Ford, Head of Investments at Willis Towers Watson, comments: “We believe that climate change will materially affect the global economy and capital markets. Integrating climate considerations in our decision making is a core part of how we act as responsible stewards of our clients’ assets, and we believe this will result in better risk-adjusted returns for our clients.
“As investors, we also have an important role to play in shaping the system going forward – to steward a just transition to a low carbon economy. We recognise that collaboration will be essential for the investment industry to achieve clear and consistent real world outcomes for the benefit of its clients and so, as strong as our own Net Zero commitments already are, working with wider groups of investors is vital to achieving meaningful progress.”