Challenging the Increase in Passive Investing & ESG Benchmarking – Is there still a Case for Active Investing?

Date:

28 September 2023 12:00 to 14:30

Venue:

Barber-Surgeons’ Hall, Monkwell Square, Wood St, Barbican, London EC2Y 5BL

Chairperson:

James Duberly, Director of Pensions Investments, BBC

Details:

Over the last several years, there has been ever-increasing capital being invested in passive investing including in ESG strategies and funds, with passive ESG funds in the US having accumulated nearly four times as much inflows as active funds. What has driven this and are the ESG indices appropriate to invest in and/or use as benchmarks?

Our speakers explored the growth of passive investing both broadly and within ESG, and considered its usefulness or otherwise and what issues should be of concern to trustees:

Does investing in passive really mean ‘passive’ given that someone has to make ‘active’ decisions on which index to use?
Can active be the only true way to deliver on sustainability and ESG agenda for schemes?
Is there a better way to consider ESG rather than through a passive approach?
What is the purpose of a benchmark and how can trustees choose or select one that is appropriate?
What are the latest developments in passive/active ESG and Sustainability strategies?
Can ESG factor benchmarks play a role and how effective are they across asset classes?
With Biodiversity and other themes becoming increasingly important – how can schemes invest in these, actively or passive, while ensuring effective measurement?

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