Scientific Beta

At the beginning of 2021, the Paris Aligned Investment Initiative (PAII) Net Zero Investment Framework Implementation Guide (the “Framework”) and the 2025 Target Setting Protocol of the United Nations-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance (the “Protocol”) were published. This webinar, presented by Felix Goltz, Research Director, and Erik Christiansen, ESG & Low Carbon Solutions Specialist, at Scientific Beta, will discuss the philosophy and practical recommendations of Net-Zero investment frameworks with a focus on equity portfolio management.

Responsible Investor, in partnership with Scientific Beta, will be hosting a webinar on the theme "Understanding Net-Zero Investment Frameworks" on 22 November, 2021 at 2.00pm GMT, moderated by Mina Tümay, Strategic Content Associate at Responsible Investor. 

At the beginning of 2021, the Paris Aligned Investment Initiative (PAII) Net Zero Investment Framework Implementation Guide (the “Framework”) and the 2025 Target Setting Protocol of the United Nations-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance (the “Protocol”) were published. These landmark Net-Zero investment frameworks aim to assist investors in defining investment management strategies that may be presented as in line with the most ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and to encourage investors to implement portfolio alignment in a manner that promotes progress in the real economy.

This webinar, presented by Felix Goltz, Research Director, and Erik Christiansen, ESG & Low Carbon Solutions Specialist, at Scientific Beta, will discuss the philosophy and practical recommendations of Net-Zero investment frameworks with a focus on equity portfolio management.

Topics covered include:

• Background of investor coalitions and genesis of net-zero investment frameworks

• Presentation of the three channels that investors may use to try and alter activity
• What is the evidence on the interactions and impact of the company engagement and capital allocation channels?
• Frameworks’ recommendations for equity investment management

Erik Christiansen is an ESG & Low Carbon Solutions Specialist with Scientific Beta. He was previously Head of Investment Strategy with the Etablissement de Retraite Additionnelle de la Fonction Publique (ERAFP), the mandatory pension scheme for French civil servants, where he was responsible for implementing the equity and ESG strategies. He has also previously worked as a Methodology Coordinator and Analyst at Vigeo Eiris, the ESG rating agency. Erik holds a Master’s degree in Management from the ESCP Business School and is a CFA charterholder. 

Felix Goltz is Research Director, Scientific Beta and also a member of the EDHEC Scientific Beta research chair. He carries out research in empirical finance and asset allocation, with a focus on alternative investments and indexing strategies. His work has appeared in various international academic and practitioner journals and handbooks. He obtained a PhD in finance from the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis after studying economics and business administration at the University of Bayreuth and EDHEC Business School.