It has become undeniable that there is an urgent need to accelerate the transition towards net zero emissions. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world will have to achieve ‘Net Zero’ by 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5°C1. Global organisations and governments are starting to set strict Net Zero Target requirements through increasingly stringent regulatory measures. There is a long-term risk for companies and institutions that aren’t sufficiently prepared. Asset managers also have an important role to play.
As an active asset manager and a sustainable actor, investor and partner, DPAM has decided, after careful consideration, to join the Net Zero Asset Managers (NZAM) Initiative. This requires asset managers to commit to support investing aligned with net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner.
Prior to tackling this significant undertaking, DPAM has performed a thorough feasibility study to measure how it could maximise the degree of its commitment without compromising the core tenets of its strategies. Confident about the results of this study, DPAM decided to join the NZAM Initiative and align its methodology with the approaches endorsed by the Network Partners2 of the initiative. This includes more specifically the Science-Based Targets Initiative for Financial Institutions, which provide companies with a clearly defined pathway for reducing their emissions3. DPAM’s initial scope will be limited to corporate investments that are part of its strategies in line with SFDR article 8 and 9.
To become part of the NZAM Initiative, DPAM will commit to several key goals:
To fulfil these commitments, DPAM will abide by the ten-point action plan4 of NZAM.
As DPAM is a member of CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), the latter will oversee DPAM’s target validation process within one year after the firm’s commitment and will be done in close collaboration. DPAM will disclose detailed information within the 12 months of joining the initiative.
Peter De Coensel, CEO DPAM, explains:
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By integrating climate change risks and opportunities in its investments decision process, DPAM has continuously assessed the impact of climate change on its investments and considered the impact of its investments on climate change. So-called climate-related transition risks are continuously increasing. Hence, assessing our investees’ readiness via Net Zero commitments has become key in the investment case. As an investor, it is now time to take the next, natural step and commit to NZAM.
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