The South Yorkshire Pensions Authority (SYPA) has proactively participated in responsible investment since developing its policy in 2012. Over the years, SYPA has progressively enhanced its commitment to sustainable and impactful investments. They adopted the Stewardship Code in 2016-2017, began reporting under the Taskforce on Climate-related Finance Disclosures framework in 2017-2018, and initiated place-based impact investing (PBII) in 2018-19. SYPA is a member pension fund of the Border to Coast Pensions Partnership and collaborates with other councils including the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to bolster regional economic growth.

In 2020, a workshop with Pensions for Purpose helped SYPA refine their investment beliefs, aligning them with the UN sustainable development goals and setting targets of net-zero emissions by 2030 and a 1% allocation of the fund to PBII in South Yorkshire, focusing on projects like affordable housing and the adaptive reuse of buildings.

SYPA's approach involves a phased integration of PBII into their portfolio, supported by a member working group, including colleagues from Pensions for Purpose, which was established in 2022 to meet the UK's 'levelling up' agenda and a desire by elected members and the South Yorkshire Mayor to achieve more local impact from the pension fund's investments. Their strategy aims to enhance local investments, gradually increasing PBII allocations to 5%, with a focus on generating sustainable financial returns and addressing regional inequalities.

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