The Environment Agency Pension Fund (EAPF) has won the awards for the Real Assets & Infrastructure Investor of the Year and Natural Capital at this year’s IPE Real Assets Infrastructure & Natural Capital Global Conference & Awards 2024 in Munich.
EAPF was chosen for its careful strategy linking climate, natural capital and biodiversity loss themes and for setting clear goals of net nature positive and deforestation free [these are difficult to achieve goals], and made careful investments, taking into account multiple sustainability considerations, including the needs of local communities, according to the judges.
“All in all, the entry underscored a scientific and balanced approach to nature-based investment and, even though the size of the fund is significantly smaller than others, the entry shows a promise that such an asset class can be established and be successful,” said one of the judges.
The recently established OMERS & Oxford Real Assets Leadership Institute picked up the Outstanding Industry Contribution award.
APG Asset Management was honoured with the Energy Transition and Digital Infrastructure awards at the event.
“APG is a poster child for asset owners of scale seeking to conceptualise and implement and investment approach seeking to incorporate infrastructure but at the same time grapple with the nuance that comes with addressing the energy transition,” according to a judge.
AG2R La Mondiale picked up the award for Social Infrastructure.
ESG/Sustainability and Direct Strategy awards went to Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ).
“CDPQ’s application has highlighted a broad contribution towards sustainabilty, demonstrating tangible results towards E, S and G indicators. CDPQ has demonstrated through its IRMP, their sucess in integrating ESG policies throughout their business,” said one of the judges.
“In addition to strong environmental performance, we were impressed to see such progress in the social indicators such as diversity, equity & inclusion, and tax, highlighting a truly holistic approach.”
Indirect Strategy went to Velliv, Pension & Livsforsikring, while GLIL Infrastructure picked up the Transport award.
The Rising Star award was handed to IST3 Infrastruktur Global.
Launched in 2021 with just three categories, the IPE Real Assets & Infrastructure Global Awards now comprises nine specialist categories on platinum and gold levels.
The overall assets under management of those that took part was over €1.2trn, while the combined value of their real assets and/or infrastructure portfolios was around €89.4bn.
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