Canadian institutional investor CDPQ has won the awards for the Energy Transition, ESG/Sustainability and Natural Capital at the second IPE Real Assets & Infrastructure Global Investor Awards.

“CDPQ shows a clear commitment to net zero and an equally strong commitment to transiting its portfolio as efficiently as possible,” according to one of the judges.

“Scale of investment in sustainable assets is hugely impressive. But what really stands out is CDPQ’s deft balancing of global and local reach,” another judge said.

The $392bn (€297bn) investment group, which invests on behalf of Quebec pension and insurance funds, also took the awards for Direct Strategy and Transport.

Dutch pension fund investor APG Asset Management beat CDPQ to pick up the award for Digital Infrastructure and was also recognised as Highly Commended for the Energy Transition and ESG/Sustainability categories.

“While its digital portfolio is young, APG has shown that it is prepared to go hard and far in investing in deals that require substantial capital expenditure, while the smart cities initiative also demonstrates its forward-thinking approach,” according to a judge.

The UK’s Pension Protection Fund was recognised as Highly Commended for Natural Capital.

French insurer AG2R La Mondiale and Global Infrastructure Investor Association won the Social Infrastructure and Outstanding Industry Contribution, respectively.

“Strong and well thought-out commitment to social and impact investing through affordable housing investments. This may be a small part of the portfolio but it is industry-leading and a model for other pension funds globally,” one judge said about AG2R.

Industriens Pension won the Indirect Strategy category and was recognised as Highly Commended for Direct Strategy.

Sacramento County Employees’ Retirement System and Merseyside Pension Fund were recognised as Highly Commended for Indirect Strategy. Sacramento County Employees’ Retirement System was again Highly Commended for transport.

Launched in 2021 with just three categories, the IPE Real Assets & Infrastructure Global Awards now comprise nine categories arranged over gold and platinum levels.

The investors participating boast just under €1.3trn in total assets under management, while their infrastructure and real assets exceed €78bn.

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