In this second episode in our series on Pensions and ESG, Pensions Professional Support Lawyer, Tim Smith is joined by Emma Douglas, Head of DC at Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) and they discuss:

• LGIM's approach to managing ESG risks in the context of its DC schemes and on behalf of its trustee clients
• the successes that LGIM has had through its engagement with companies and what happens when engagement doesn't work
• how trustees can assess whether their asset managers are taking ESG risks seriously
• how prepared the industry is to set climate-related metrics and targets and to conduct scenario analysis, and
• the risk of member complaints and legal challenges related to ESG issues.

To view all of the podcasts in this series click here https://hsfnotes.com/pensions/?m=podcasts. And to receive future episodes direct to your inbox subscribe to our UK pensions blog. https://hsfnotes.com/pensions/

In this podcast, Ashley Hamilton-Claxton, Head of Responsible Investment at Royal London Asset Management, shares her:

• views on how pension schemes and asset managers are responding to recent legal and regulatory changes relating to pensions and ESG
• insights on how attitudes to ESG risks are being affected by Covid-19
• tips on how trustees should go about preparing their new investment implementation statements
• expectations for how this area is likely to develop in the coming years, and
• thoughts on what the DWP's proposed new requirements regarding climate-relate risks would mean for trustees and asset managers. 

Speakers: Tim Smith, Professional Support Lawyer, Herbert Smith Freehills and Ashely Hamilton-Claxton, Head of Responsible Investment at Royal London Asset Management

Fresh from presenting at the 12th Annual Sustainable Innovation Forum (SIF) which took place alongside COP26 in Glasgow, Timothy Stutt, Partner and Australian ESG Lead will share his key takeaways from the conference, in discussion with Graham Phelan, ESG specialist from Frontier Economics, Rebecca Maslen-Stannage, HSF Chair and Senior Partner and Melanie Debenham, HSF Partner in our environment, planning and communities practice.

In this episode, Tim and Mel are joined by expert third wheel guest, Lewis McDonald, Global Head of Energy for Herbert Smith Freehills. Fresh from presenting at the 12th Annual Sustainable Innovation Forum (SIF) which took place alongside COP26 in Glasgow, Lewis observes the number of zeros committed to net zero, at least $133 trillion as announced by Mark Carney’s Glasgow Financial Alliance. He asserts that the real challenge is creating enough investable net zero projects for the money – through a public / private blend of government support to achieve scale and efficiencies, and the legal mechanisms to make novel projects work.

Contact the speakers:
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In this episode, Mel and Tim are joined by expert third wheel guest, Brooke Massender, Global Head of Pro Bono for Herbert Smith Freehills. Brooke discusses how ESG could be the roadmap that makes corporate purpose more meaningful - and why ESG is different this time around. Recorded on the cusp of the Australian Reconciliation Convention, she shares her optimism around cultural competency in organisations, and the need for increased representation of First Nations voices where decisions are being made anywhere and everywhere in Australia. Brooke closes with some practical tips for those prepared to move ‘from safe to brave’ – and the importance of asking uncomfortable questions.

Contact the speakers:
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Following the launch of the Future of Work Report 2021: Remote/Controlled, Barbara Roth and Tyler Hendry sit down to discuss the Future of Work in the US and the rise of ESG and employee activism following #metoo, Black Lives Matter and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speakers: Barbara Roth, Partner, Employment and Tyler Hendry, Senior Associate, Employment, Herbert Smith Freehills

In this episode, Tim and Mel are joined by expert third wheel guest, Dr Cameron Kelly, head of the Legal, Governance and Secretariat team at the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. Dr Kelly discusses Australia’s role in the global hydrogen economy, renewable technologies of the not too distant future and the role of micro-grids in delivering not only environmental, but social benefits for regional communities.

Contact the speakers:
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In this episode, Mel and Tim are joined by expert third wheel guest, Mark Smyth, a partner in our litigation practice advising companies in relation to environmental, climate change and ESG issues, including responding to shareholder activism and defending ESG litigation. Mark shares the litigation themes he is seeing regionally and globally, including regulatory movements on greenwashing and the latest activity in the Federal Court regarding Environment Minister v Sharma case.

Contact the speakers:
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In this episode, Tim and Mel are joined by two representatives from the Human Rights Resources and Energy Collaborative, Shaeron Yapp (South32) and Gemma Wilford (Fortescue Metals), who talk about practical approaches to implementing human rights diligence and remediation in significant global businesses.

Contact the speakers:
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In this second episode of our podcast series, Mel and Tim are joined by their expert third wheel guest, Antony Crockett, partner in our Hong Kong office. He leads HSF’s global Business and Human Rights practice and is a member of the firm's ESG leadership group. Antony shares with our hosts what ESG means to him, mandatory ESG due diligence developments in the EU and Human Rights due diligence, along with some practical tips.

Contact the speakers:
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