Global equity mandate of €800 million given to newly-appointed manager by Ircantec
Ircantec, a prominent French supplementary pension scheme, is taking a proactive approach to decarbonizing its investment portfolio. The pension plan, which manages over €17bn in assets, has recently announced several key partnerships with asset managers specializing in sustainable investing.
Ircantec's Decarbonization Strategy
The strategy, designed to help Ircantec achieve a 7% annual reduction in CO2 emissions, focuses on integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into investment decisions. The primary goal is to reduce exposure to carbon-intensive assets and increase investments in low-carbon, sustainable companies, thereby supporting the transition to a net-zero economy.
Appointment with Nordea Asset Management
In January 2025, Ircantec appointed Nordea Asset Management (NAM) to manage an €800m global equity mandate. The mandate will be managed by NAM's Multi Assets Team, which has over 15 years of experience with BetaPlus strategies and €60bn in assets under management. NAM will manage the mandate using its BetaPlus Responsible Enhanced Equities Strategies, which incorporate proprietary decarbonisation tools.
NAM's Responsible Investments Team will also play a key role in evaluating companies based on their sustainability contributions. This enhances Ircantec's ability to steer capital towards low-carbon transition leaders, reducing portfolio carbon intensity and improving resilience against climate-related risks.
Appointment with Nomura’s Sustainable Equity Strategy
Ircantec has also committed €250m to Nomura's sustainable equity strategy. The mandate will be structured within a French-domiciled fund hosted by ODDO BHF Asset Management. The strategy set to be scaled to reach €1.8bn is focused on decarbonisation and employs a sustainable equity approach that integrates carbon footprint reduction targets while maintaining financial performance.
Overall Impact
These appointments reinforce Ircantec's commitment to lowering the carbon intensity of its investment portfolio. Collaboration with specialized asset managers ensures advanced ESG considerations are embedded systematically. By directing investments towards sustainable strategies, Ircantec contributes to the global effort to limit global warming and promotes environmentally responsible corporate behavior.
Moreover, sustainable investing can reduce exposure to future regulatory risks related to carbon emissions and may improve risk-adjusted returns over time. Ircantec plans to divest from fossil fuel assets by 2030 and has pledged to invest 15% of its assets in the transition.
In summary, Ircantec's partnerships with Nordea Asset Management and Nomura highlight a proactive and concrete move towards decarbonizing its portfolio, reinforcing its role as a responsible institutional investor playing a part in the global transition to sustainable finance.
- Ircantec's strategy for decarbonizing its investment portfolio includes integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into investment decisions, focusing on reducing exposure to carbon-intensive assets and increasing investments in low-carbon, sustainable companies.
- Nordea Asset Management (NAM) was appointed by Ircantec to manage an €800m global equity mandate, using its BetaPlus Responsible Enhanced Equities Strategies, which incorporate proprietary decarbonisation tools and evaluate companies based on their sustainability contributions.
- Ircantec has also committed €250m to Nomura's sustainable equity strategy, which employs a sustainable equity approach that integrates carbon footprint reduction targets while maintaining financial performance, contributing to the global effort to limit global warming and promote environmentally responsible corporate behavior.
