PensionDanmark has won the awards for the Energy Transition, Natural Capital, and Social Infrastructure at this year’s IPE Real Assets & Infrastructure Global Investor Awards in Amsterdam.
“A pioneer in green energy with a fantastic pedigree and a lengthy track record, supporting a clean investment strategy that is clearly articulated,” said one of the judges.
The €41bn Danish labour-market pension fund has been a pioneer investor in green energy for more than a decade. It has invested in renewable energy projects such as offshore wind farms, the majority of which are run in-house or through Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.
PensionDanmark and Canadian institutional investor CDPQ were recognised as Highly Commended for the ESG/Sustainability category which was scooped by Dutch pension investor APG.
“APG has demonstrated that it does ESG better than any other pension investor. The fund’s purposeful alignment with the SDGs is a plus, as is its commitment to transparency,” according to a judge.
The €530bn asset manager owned by the Dutch healthcare pension fund ABP also picked up the award for Digital Infrastructure and was also recognised as Highly Commended for Direct Strategy and Transport categories.
The C$402bn (€275bn) CDPQ picked up the Direct Strategy and Transport awards at the event and was recognised as Highly Commended for Energy and Natural Capital categories.
“CDPQ showcases its commitment to generating stable and predictable long-term returns while addressing crucial societal challenges such as climate change and sustainable mobility,” said one of the judges.
Danish life and pension insurer Velliv picked up the award for Indirect Strategy.
Erik van de Brake won the Outstanding Industry Contribution award. Van de Brake took over PGGM’s infrastructure team in 2016, having joined the leading Dutch pensions manager as a senior investment manager in 2014. He left his post as head of infrastructure investments in 2022, but his legacy means the unit remains a leading global real assets investor currently with €14bn under management, 29 investments in its portfolio, a team of 40 professionals and an average GRESB score of 82.
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 €1.25trn in total assets under management, while their infrastructure and real assets exceed €85bn.
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