[EP. 2/6] The Race to Net Zero: Climate Solutions for the Future

In 2020 the macro picture for climate change shifted. Biden re-joining the Paris agreement, and China signing up to carbon neutrality by 2060, framed 2020 as the year of huge change for climate solutions. In China, more vigorous green policies could see them reaching their peak carbon emissions by 2030, and reaching total carbon neutrality by 2060. The rate of change in the last 12 months in the climate change space is emblematic of the change being made operationally in the investment industry. In March 2020, M&G made two new commitments to the acceleration of efforts combating climate change. Firstly, to reach a net zero carbon emissions on the total book of assets under management by the year 2050. Secondly, M&G is committed to reducing operational carbon emissions to net zero by the year 2030. Some of the ways that investment companies can improve their dedication to the resolution of the climate emergency include engaging with company management and allocating capital towards lower emissions sectors. M&G has taken this approach, as well as encouraging climate-related disclosures, higher engagement with investee companies, and improving organisational research and analysis capabilities in order to gather more comprehensive data on investment exposure. In this session we will be looking at the other ways investment companies like M&G are tackling the climate emergency. So, how can you take actionable measures in the corporate world to combat climate change, what will be the biggest challenges along the way, and how can you overcome these hurdles? In this session, we will discuss: - The bigger picture in the climate change space, what is happening globally, and where more work still needs to be done - The race to net zero, and macro tailwinds - The circular economy - Green technology - The business opportunities when it comes to climate change, and the kinds of investment opportunities that have arisen as a result of the climate emergency