Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative
Read below about our commitment to the Net Zero Asset Managers (NZAM) initiative.
About NZAM
The Net Zero Asset Manager’s (NZAM) initiative was launched in December 2020 to galvanize asset management firms to use their access and influence in the capital markets to bring the world closer to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.* These asset managers commit to work in partnership with clients to decarbonize the assets they manage on their behalf by 2050 or sooner.
The initiative sets out a range of actions asset managers can take to meet their commitment. Asset managers are expected to prioritize actions that achieve emissions reductions in the real economy. This can include the factors they use in investment decision-making, the products they create, how they vote proxies, and how they engage company leaders and policymakers. Asset managers are required to set targets to meet this commitment for a percentage of assets under management (AUM) and disclose their progress over time.
As of May 2022, 236 asset management firms had signed on to the initiative, representing over $60 trillion in global AUM.
*To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C — as called for in the Paris Agreement — greenhouse gas emissions need to reach net zero by 2050.
Why We Joined
Boston Trust Walden was an early signatory to the initiative in March 2021. We joined because we believe the changing climate is an extraordinary environmental challenge with far-reaching economic, environmental, and societal implications, creating risks and opportunities for companies and investors. We believe broad-based, absolute greenhouse gas emissions reductions are the best way to achieve net zero emissions; as such, we believe investors and companies alike should set science-based targets.
The NZAM initiative also closely aligns with our firm’s position on climate risk and our long history advancing climate solutions.
Our Targets
The scope of our initial targets focuses on the discretionary equity assets we manage, which represent approximately 80% ($11.8 billion) of firm-wide AUM as of December 31, 2021. We aim to increase the scope of our targets over time.
Primary Target: Science-Based Targets
Our primary focus is for 40% of discretionary equity AUM to be invested in companies with science-based targets by 2025, and 100% of discretionary equity AUM to be invested in companies with such targets by 2040. Active ownership, including direct company engagement and proxy voting, is the primary means by which we will achieve this objective; our investment discipline will remain focused on investing in high quality companies. Progress toward our targets may not be linear as portfolio holdings and weightings change over time.
Notably, our active ownership efforts span the market capitalization range — and include Small and SMID cap equity holdings, which comprise a significant portion of our firm’s AUM. We believe all companies have a role to play in addressing direct and systemic climate risks. Smaller companies typically have fewer resources to focus on target setting and may need time to build capacity. With decades of experience engaging smaller companies, Boston Trust Walden is uniquely positioned to take on this challenge.
We utilized the Science Based Targets (SBT) Portfolio Coverage Method to establish our primary target. For simplicity, we used linear extrapolation of model holdings in equity strategies (US and International) from 23% as of year-end 2019. Each year approximately 4% of additional discretionary equity assets need to be invested in companies with science-based targets for us to meet our 2025 goal. Our target includes reductions in Scope 1 and 2, and for many sectors, Scope 3 emissions.
Secondary Target: Carbon Intensity
Our secondary target is for 100% of discretionary equity AUM to have a weighted average carbon intensity (WACI) of at least 50% less than respective benchmarks by 2030.
Since the carbon intensity of our model portfolio strategies** is already 54% lower than the weighted average benchmark intensity as of year-end 2021, our objective over the coming years is to maintain our current WACI. We also expect that our core focus on engagement, if our efforts are successful, could result in more carbon efficient portfolios.
We used elements of the methodology guidance developed by the Paris Aligned Investment Initiative’s Net Zero Investment Framework to establish this target. It is is based on a WACI calculation of Scope 1 and 2 emissions of the companies in which we invest. As data quality and associated methodologies improve for calculating Scope 3 emissions, we may evolve our approach.
**The figures presented are based on model portfolios that do not equal the investment composition, weights, or holdings of securities as those of client portfolios. The securities are not owned or traded by the model. Actual client portfolio holdings and results differ due to, tax status, client direction, and other investment considerations. The allocations to the securities within the model are rebalanced periodically however there is no guarantee that the manager would have traded or acted similarly or will act similarly to the model so there is no guarantee that an actual account would have achieved the same composition of holdings as the results presented.
How We Will Meet Our Commitment
Boston Trust Walden has the tools and experience necessary to meet its commitment to the initiative, including a rigorous investment discipline and multi-faceted approach to active ownership.
ESG Analysis: invest in high quality companies and evaluate their strategies, commitments, and performance to address climate risk
Company Engagement: encourage companies to set or improve greenhouse gas emissions targets and adopt responsible climate lobbying
Shareholder Resolutions: file proposals for vote at company annual general meetings (AGMs) compelling companies to address climate risk
Proxy Voting: vote proxies to promote accountability regarding climate action and disclosure
Investor Collaborations: leverage participation in investor initiatives to amplify the scope and scale of our impact beyond portfolio holdings
Public Policy Advocacy: advocate for and support climate policy at the regional, national, and international levels
Thought Leadership: educate stakeholders and lead by example on climate action
