The newly established Responsible Investment Advisory Group (RIAG) met for the first time on the 3rd March 2021 and discussed a wide range of responsible investment related issues, including MHCLG’s proposals for TCFD reporting within the LGPS and the response to the LGPS All Party Parliamentary Group’s inquiry into a “Just Transition”.

The group is Chaired by Sandra Stewart, Director of Pensions at the Greater Manchester Pension Fund and includes a wide range of other members who can be found on the RIAG membership page.

The main role of the group will be to advise the Board and the Investment Committee, as requested, on all matters relating to responsible investment. It will also be responsible for assisting the Board in developing and maintaining the online Responsible Investment A to Z website, which is expected to go live at the end of March 2021.The group will continue to meet on a six weekly cycle and will report directly to the Investment Committee.

Welcoming members to the first meeting Chair of SAB Councillor Roger Phillips said “The Board welcomes members of RIAG and looks forward to a close working relationship in the work being undertaken to assist fund authorities in integrating ESG policies into their investment strategies, and helping them to better measure and assess the financial and other risks associated with climate change. The group will also be reporting directly to the investment committee to assist the Board in developing recommendations to MHCLG on how TCFD reporting should be applied to the LGPS. Knowing the wide range of expertise and experience that individual members bring to the group I have every confidence in their ability to deliver what promises to be a very challenging agenda over the foreseeable future.”