Investing responsibly is not a fad. For us, it is an investment belief.
By building responsibility into all our investment processes, we aim to improve our risk management and investment performance while at the same time help to create more sustainable investment solutions fit for the future. As an active owner of capital, our scale and influence help us drive the change required to build a future our clients are able to retire into.
Our contribution to a changing world
We’ve been using our voice to drive positive change for five decades. The business and investment cases for acting responsibly are hard to dispute these days. Companies that conduct their business in a respectful and sustainable way are more likely to succeed over time, benefiting both you and society. Bad practices don’t just hit the headlines, they hit the bottom line as well.
I believe investors have a vital role to play in pushing for change on society’s biggest issues, from climate change to diversity; from environmental degradation to human rights. I am proud that Aviva Investors has long been at the forefront of investor action on these issues.
It is only through commitment, passion and genuine collaboration that we can bring our sustainable aspirations to life. By acting collaboratively across asset classes, locations and our multiple stakeholders, we are able to instigate change through continual active engagement, voting and market reform initiatives.
Our highlights
Delivering a sustainable future will only happen if we all take action to create positive change. We have delivered for our clients by making active sustainable choices in how we invest and drive change in the world.
Taking action on climate change
In 2022, we voted in favour of 80% of climate and social shareholder proposals
Commitment to voting
In 2022, we voted on 73,438 resolutions at 6,732 shareholder meetings, representing 27% of votes against management resolutions including 49% of pay proposals.
Engaging at scale
In 2022, we undertook 3,328 company engagements and carried out engagements with 41 sovereigns.
Proprietary ESG research
We have a dedicated team of 30+ ESG analysts that act as a centre of excellence, as well as delivery of proprietary quantitative ESG scoring tools which are predictive of performance.
Investing in green infrastructure
In 2022, we invested over £500 million in green assets and a further £1 billion in social assets. We have continued to grow our sustainable lending programme, delivering a further £300 million of sustainable transition real estate loans.
New sustainable solutions
We can help you understand and manage your ESG and climate risk. Developing products is part of our sustainable outcomes approach.
Shaping a sustainable world
Aviva Investors scored 5 stars for Strategy & Governance in the 2021 Annual United Nations Principles for Responsible Investing (UNPRI) report. We are a founding signatory to the UNPRI and catalysed the development of the SSE and World Benchmarking Alliance that aims to publicly rank 2000 companies on ESG credentials.
Accelerating a low-carbon economy
In 2020, we committed to delivering £1bn of climate transition-focused loans by 2025, accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy in real estate. In 2022, we exceeded this target.
Global recognition
Aviva Investors received an A rating from ShareAction2 on our approach to responsible investment in 2020, 1 of only 5 asset managers to achieve this rating out of 75 worldwide.
Responsible Investment Annual Review 2022
This year’s Responsible Investment Annual Review seeks to demonstrate how Aviva Investors has turned talk into action in 2022. We are proud advocates of the Financial Reporting Council's (FRC) UK Stewardship Code and this report details the impact that our responsible investment approach has had on our clients and on the society we serve.
Our unique approach to responsible investing
We are united by a firm-wide ambition to work with and for our clients to do what is right for them, society and the world around us.
Powering change
As an active owner with scale and global reach, we use engagement, voting and investment decisions to drive a transition to a sustainable future.
Responsibility built-in
We employ systematic and robust consideration of material ESG factors in investment decisions, led by insight that goes beyond the conventional. Beyond any applicable binding criteria, our portfolio managers are empowered to make the right decision for the best client outcome, supported by ESG research integrated into our investment franchises via specialist teams.
Shaping our future
Making a difference does not stop with our investments. We work in partnership with clients, policymakers and regulators, sharing knowledge and collaborating to build a sustainable future for us all. We are committed to reforming capital markets and empowering our clients to make informed choices.
Powering Change: ESG Video Shorts
This video series highlights some of the key challenges facing People, Climate, and Earth. Find out how Aviva Investors is lobbying for change among governments and industry leaders and engaging with stocks to develop more sustainable business practices.
See change in action
Climate change is the biggest systemic challenge of our time. Discover how we're approaching climate action and supporting the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient world.
Responsibility built-in
Find out how we integrate ESG into our investment processes as a firm and in every asset class.
Investment risk
The value of an investment and any income from it can go down as well as up. Investors may not get back the original amount invested.
Note: ESG and Climate related engagement, goals and exclusions can vary at the investment strategy and portfolio level depending upon country, jurisdiction and individual client needs.
Our latest views
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Equities
The war on bugs: Climate change contributes to growth in the pest-control industry
13 Mar 2024
Pest control has become a growing priority for city residents and authorities all year round, as rising temperatures and other factors boost the populations of many pest species. But in creating adaptation solutions, the sector could also represent a long-term investment opportunity.
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Equities
Multi-asset allocation views: What’s behind Japan’s stock-market sugar rush?
8 Mar 2024
Following unsuccessful attempts in the past, the Japanese government’s structural reforms now seem to be bearing fruit. This has contributed to a record high on the Japanese stock-market, but is it sustainable?
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Responsible Investing
Common ground: Earning a social licence to operate in real asset investing
18 Jan 2024
Successful real asset investing requires acceptance of asset managers’ practices and procedures from a variety of stakeholders. We explore what this means for managers, their clients and investment outcomes.
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Pensions
Plus ça change…The outlook for infrastructure debt in 2024
11 Jan 2024
Infrastructure demonstrated characteristic resilience in 2023 in the face of significant macroeconomic headwinds. Darryl Murphy from our infrastructure team explains why he expects current themes to persist in 2024.
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Real Assets
Tech, trees and tailwinds: The outlook for climate transition real assets
9 Jan 2024
In this Q&A, James Tarry and Luke Layfield explore the themes shaping the landscape for real asset investors with a climate transition focus.
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Responsible Investing
Changing course: Creating a stable investment framework for offshore wind
30 Nov 2023
Better market mechanisms and grid connection arrangements are essential to restore a stable investment environment in the offshore wind sector, as Nick Molho explains.
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Economic Research
The tipping point for climate finance: Making financial flows consistent with the Paris Agreement
29 Nov 2023
Transition plans, including from governments in response to the Global Stocktake, will be crucial to bring about the shift to a low-emissions, climate-resilient world. Markets need clear implementation signals to align capital with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Our in-depth report calls for the creation of a transition-plan ecosystem connecting all levels of the global economy.
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Fixed income
The time to lead: Reforming multilateral development banks through a climate lens
28 Nov 2023
To have a chance of limiting global warming to less than two degrees, the world must unlock huge investments in emerging markets. This is prompting calls for the reform of multilateral development banks, but will this be enough?
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Responsible Investing
Paying fair: The living wage comes of age
31 Oct 2023
Paying employees a living wage is a growing concern for companies and regulators. As this concept gains traction, it should be viewed as a long-term investment in workers and businesses rather than a cost.
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Economic Research
Gender balance in the workplace: Levelling up
25 Oct 2023
Despite progress on female representation in senior financial roles, the industry is nowhere near parity. We explore how finance can create a level playing field for all genders to thrive.
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Economic Research
Fairness, climate action and nature protection: Our key takeaways from AGM season
18 Oct 2023
Investing to create a more sustainable, stable and prosperous world should be a core part of the purpose of any responsible asset manager. Louise Piffaut reviews our recent engagement activity designed to hold investee companies to account.
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Economic Research
Race, ethnicity and investing: Developing an inclusive culture
13 Oct 2023
Since 2020, we have taken action to improve our own performance on diversity, equity and inclusion and engaged with investee companies on the key issues. On black representation specifically, building an inclusive culture and pipeline of talent are long-term efforts, as Mark Versey explains.
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Fixed income
Integrating net zero in sovereign bond portfolios: Understanding the impacts, risks and opportunities
2 Oct 2023
Investing in climate transition and adaptation plans today adds to governments’ funding needs, but over time should make for stronger, more resilient economies. How should investors approach this to embed net-zero considerations into their sovereign bond portfolios?
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Economic Research
Disability inclusion in the workplace: Taking down the barriers
28 Sep 2023
Disabled employees continue to face a variety of hurdles to cope with in addition to their day job. We look at how employers can help remove those barriers to allow everyone to thrive.
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Fixed income
Navigating uncertainty and avoiding underperformers: Plotting a course for the long term in buy-and-maintain credit
13 Sep 2023
As the current economic cycle draws to a close, our buy-and-maintain team discuss opportunities and risks in credit markets.
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Equities
The big dig: How mining could power a greener future
12 Sep 2023
Clean energy technologies are set to drive growth in demand for critical minerals over the next two decades, throwing up a rich seam of investment opportunities – and challenges.
Our team
Our people embedding ESG across Aviva Investors
Mirza Baig
Chief Sustainable Investing Officer
Steve Waygood
Chief Responsible Investment Officer
Abigail Herron
Global Head of Health and Nature Policy
Edward Vaughan Dixon
Head of Responsible Investment, Real Assets
Andy Ford
Head of ESG Investment Directors
Louise Piffaut
Head of ESG, Liquid Markets
Richard Butters
Head of Stewardship
Thomas Dillon
Head of ESG – Sovereign
Sam Tripuraneni
Head of Sustainable Investments
Vaidehee Sachdev
Social Stewardship Lead
Eugenie Mathieu
Nature Stewardship Lead
Saloni Shah
ESG Investment Specialist
Candice Thorpe
ASA Director – Aviva’s Sustainability Ambitions
Jess Foulds
ESG Strategy Director