The recent report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides yet another adrenaline shot to investors on the importance of embedding environmental concerns in their investment strategy.

Despite the obvious challenges of the past 18 months, the Rathbone Greenbank team has been through an exciting and rapid phase of evolution, welcoming many additional colleagues as we further develop our ethical, sustainable and impact proposition and enhance our ability to meet the needs of all our clients.

“Our economies, livelihoods and wellbeing all depend on our most precious asset: Nature.” - The Dasgupta Review.

The past year has brought many social and humanitarian issues to the forefront - be it equal access to healthcare, the Black Lives Matter movement, or the ongoing migrant crisis.

Nick Robins, professor in practice, Grantham Research Institute for Climate Change and the Environment, LSE, details the background and importance of a just transition, explaining the need for significant technological, social and economic transformations to build a sustainable net zero economy. 

Kingsmill Bond, energy strategist, Carbon Tracker, reflects on the revolutions underway in renewable energy, and how he believes the energy transition will be the most important driver of financial markets and geopolitics in the modern era. 

Sharan Burrow, general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, clarifies how investment and investor action are both key drivers for achieving global climate and development goals, and how investment in people and communities must be at the heart of this.

Rachel McEwen, chief sustainability officer at SSE, describes how SSE are putting workers and communities at the heart of their net zero strategy, and gives an update on the work of the Scottish government’s Just Transition Commission.

Nicola Day, deputy head of Rathbone Greenbank Investments, explains the current transitions underway in the economy, and how Greenbank’s current research processes, framed by our sustainable development themes reduce risk, enhance human capital and lead to investments which will help deliver a more equitable future.

In the race to create a just transition to a low carbon economy, ensuring that our homes are future-fit for both people and planet is a key challenge. Nowhere is this more crucial than in social housing. 

‘Health and Wellbeing’ is one of Rathbone Greenbank’s (Greenbank) eight sustainable development themes that guide the way we invest for the long-term. In this article, Greenbank explains what the risks and opportunities are for investors as the food system undergoes massive, consumer-led changes, and outlines how shareholders can drive positive change at scale.