In January 2025, we published our latest Impact Lens research report, ‘Integrating nature and biodiversity into investment: an asset owner perspective’. The report revealed insights into how asset owners worldwide are progressing in incorporating and reporting on nature-related issues. Notably, 67% of those interviewed were already incorporating integrating nature and biodiversity into their sustainability strategies, and 22% were actively working to do this, with many expecting to finalise these efforts within the 12 months. What lessons can we draw from these interviews?
In this roundtable Pensions for Purpose discussed some of the findings:
First Sentier MUFG Sustainable Investment Institute commented on the nature and biodiversity research findings and draw conclusions based on their own experience. We then spoke to Laura Chapman of London CIV and Katharina Lindmeier of Nest, who participated in the research to discuss how they are addressing biodiversity and TNFD reporting; drawing attention to obstacles they have overcome, and outlining strategies they are using, or implementing, to overcome the problems. We also heard from Barbara Sanderson from TNFD and heard how TNFD plan to help asset owners build capacity and expertise.
We ended this roundtable discussion with audience Q&A.
Who was this event open to?
This event was open to asset owners such as pension fund trustees and in-house executives, independent investment advisers, professional trustees, professional bodies, government representatives and consultants.
Sponsor
Speakers
Joanne Lee, Responsible Investment Director, First Sentier Investors
Joanne Lee is a sustainable finance expert with over 14 years of experience in environmental finance. As a Responsible Investment (RI) Specialist at First Sentier Investors (FSI), Joanne works on the strategic development and implementation of the firm’s RI initiatives and is leading FSI’s work on nature and biodiversity. Based in Hong Kong, she develops thematic content related to sustainability, and provides advice and analytical support on this topic for all teams.
Before joining FSI, Joanne was a Sustainable Finance Specialist at WWF, driving the research and advocacy on net-zero portfolio alignment, natural capital and green financial solutions. She also worked on renewable energy financing at the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi and climate consultancies in the US. Joanne is a CFA Charterholder with a master’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.
Sudip Hazra, Director of the First Sentier MUFG Sustainable Investment Institute
Sudip Hazra is Director of the First Sentier MUFG Sustainable Investment Institute, which publishes research on a variety of ESG themes relevant to investors, corporates and the sustainability community. Previously, he was Director of ESG Research at asset manager Invesco and Co-Head of ESG Research at financial services firm Kepler Cheuvreux, in London. He has led teams at the forefront of sustainable investing, covering regulatory changes such as the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), global engagement practices, ne-zero implementation and broad ESG integration.
His thematic reports have been regularly shortlisted for the City of London Farsight awards and his study ‘Tax me if you can: game over’ previously won the prize for best long-term oriented investment research. At Bloomberg, in London, his team launched ESG functionality on the Bloomberg terminal, globally. Before this, Sudip worked with Arthur Andersen, 3M and Henkel. He has a BA from Oxford University and an MA from QMUL and was a student mentor at these universities.
Laura Chapman, Interim Chief Sustainability Officer, London CIV
Laura Chapman is Interim Chief Sustainability Officer at London CIV, a pensions pool representing 32 London Boroughs. Laura joined in September 2024 having previously been head of Responsible Investment for Tesco Pension Investment. Laura’s background is in Private Markets investment. She qualified as a Chartered Surveyor with CBRE Investors and spent 17 years in property investment and equity raising roles with CBRE Investors, Henderson Global Investors, and Tesco Pension Investment. With Tesco Pension Investment, her role broadened to cover exposure to infrastructure, private credit and real assets, as a Senior Fund Manager. Laura chose to specialise in Responsible Investment in 2020 and has worked across all asset classes including equities and fixed income, developing policy and stewardship approaches and implementing reporting.
Katharina Lindmeier, Head of Sustainability Strategy, Nest
Katharina’s role includes leading the pension scheme's approach to managing climate change risks and opportunities within the £44bn portfolio. She joined Nest in 2019 and previously worked at Railpen and Aberdeen Standard Investments. She holds an MA in Philosophy and Economics from the University of Edinburgh, and an MSc in Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment from UCL. Katharina is also a CFA charterholder.
Barbara Sanderson, Chief Operating Officer, TNFD
Barbara has significant experience in governance, change management and driving international expansion, gained within the commercial and not-for-profit sectors.
For over 20 years, Barbara held a variety of leadership roles in international investment management, specialising in product development, strategic marketing, and governance. She helped launch an award-winning green bond fund in partnership with Affirmative Investment Management before joining Climate Bonds Initiative to help mobilise global capital for climate action.
Before joining TNFD, at Pure Leapfrog a UK charity, Barbara collaborated with several government departments and local authorities on financing climate action and nature restoration.
Having acted as Vice-Chair of the Paris Chapter of a global professional network “100 Women in Finance”, Barbara now serves on the Technical Board of a pioneering rewilding carbon standard, Wilder Carbon. She is also an enthusiastic contributor to the Financing a Just Transition Alliance at the Gresham Research Institute/LSE.
Host
Karen Shackleton, Chair and Founder, Pensions for Purpose
Karen has worked in the finance sector for over 30 years. As well as being Founder of Pensions for Purpose, she is Chair of the Strategic Investment Board for the Ministry of Justice and a Non-executive Director and Chair of the Board of Resonance Ltd, a social impact investment company. She sits on the Advisory Council of the Impact Investing Institute.
Karen also provides independent investment advice to the London Boroughs of Islington and Camden through Apex Group. She was the Chief Executive/Managing Director of AllenbridgeEpic Investment Advisers from 2010 to 2013. Prior to that, she had ten years’ experience as a fund manager and director for County NatWest and BZW Investment Management (now BlackRock).
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