Aviva Investors has announced that it has invested or financed £1.4 billion in sustainable infrastructure as it states it is making “strong progress” towards its net zero targets for its Real Assets business.
This sum has been invested directly or financed to low carbon and renewable energy infrastructure and buildings, a 56% progress rate against its 2025 target of £2.5 billion.
The asset manager, which has set out five targets for its £47 billion Real Assets business by 2025 as part of its net-zero transition pathway, has already achieved one of the targets this year.
It stated it had originated £1.04 billion in climate transition-focused real estate loans, surpassing its 2025 target of £1 billion.
The firm also provided updates on its progress on the other targets.
It said that had expanded its total renewable energy capacity to 1.1 gigawatts (GW). This is a 48% progress towards its 2025 commitment of 1.5GW.
Aviva Investors has also launched its Climate Transition Real Assets Fund, aiming to deliver on its commitment to launch new pooled strategies aligned to Article 8 of the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (SFDR) framework.
Finally, Aviva Investors has achieved a 25% reduction in carbon intensity, against its 2025 target of 30% and a 6% decrease in energy intensity for direct investments against its 10% target.
Daniel McHugh, CIO of Real Assets at Aviva Investors, commented: “Net zero targets must move on from being pledges to attract investor capital and instead be grounded in action if the real assets sector is to fulfil its potential in tackling the climate crisis.”
He continued: “The five interim goals of our Pathway are arguably the most important aspect of our commitment to net zero. They provide proof-points against which our progress can be measured and are designed to give clients confidence in the investments we make on their behalf, and their impact in supporting the transition towards a low carbon future.”
This update follows Aviva Investors’ announcement last year of its pathway to reach net-zero emissions across the entire Real Assets platform by 2040.
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