Schroders Tops Forest 500 Assessment for Second Consecutive Year, Urgent Action Needed on Deforestation

Schroders Tops Forest 500 Assessment for Second Consecutive Year, Urgent Action Needed on Deforestation

(IN BRIEF) Schroders celebrates its recognition as the leading financial institution in Global Canopy’s Forest 500 annual assessment, reaffirming its commitment to addressing deforestation in investment operations and supply chains. The report, evaluating companies and financial institutions across key commodities, underscores the critical need for stronger regulations to combat deforestation effectively. Schroders emphasizes its proactive engagement with portfolio companies and advocacy for clearer regulations, reflecting its ongoing dedication to sustainability and risk management amidst growing social and political attention to nature loss.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 29-Feb-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Schroders is proud to announce that it has once again been recognised as the highest scoring financial institution in Global Canopy’s Forest 500 annual assessment. The Forest 500 is a global initiative that assesses the efforts of companies and financial institutions in addressing deforestation in their operations and supply chains.

The Forest 500 Report, published by Global Canopy, an environmental not-for-profit, evaluates the deforestation policies and commitments of major companies and financial institutions across four key commodities: palm oil, soy, cattle products, and timber products. Schroders’ commitment to transparency has earned the company the top position among financial institutions for the second consecutive year.

This year’s report highlights the urgent need for action to address deforestation, emphasising that voluntary efforts alone are not sufficient. Global Canopy has called for stronger regulations to ensure that companies and financial institutions take responsibility for their role in driving deforestation. Schroders acknowledges the importance of this message and remains committed to managing the risks and opportunities we expect to result from this regulatory and policy focus.

Sarah Woodfield, Biodiversity Engagement Lead at Schroders, said:

“Deforestation poses a critical risk to investment, as laid out in our Managing Deforestation risk within our investment portfolios report. A key focus for us is to use our voice as an active owner to encourage the companies we invest in to proactively manage the risks deforestation presents. We are proud to be raising the bar in what can be achieved and look forward to continuing our action in this area.”

Schroders has been committed to managing the risks and opportunities created by a growing social and political focus on nature loss and deforestation for several years, including a commitment to using best efforts to end commodity-driven deforestation made at COP26 in 2021. With a robust deforestation policy covering all four commodities assessed by the Forest 500, Schroders actively engages with portfolio companies. Schroders will continue to work with stakeholders, industry leaders, and policymakers to advocate for clearer regulations and policies.

Earlier this year, Schroders joined the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Early Adopters and Nature Action 100, reflecting the firm’s commitment to managing risks associated with nature loss and ecosystem decline. Schroders also recently updated its Engagement Blueprint to include requests for companies to conduct nature-loss scenario analysis and integrate the findings into their business strategy, to keep pace with evolving best practices and the Global Biodiversity Framework established at COP-15.

For more information about Schroders’ commitment to sustainability and its deforestation policy, please visit Schroders Sustainability.

Schroders plc

Schroders is a global investment management firm with £726.1 billion (€846.1 billion; $923.1 billion) assets under management, as at 30 June 2023. Schroders continues to deliver strong financial results in ever challenging market conditions, with a market capitalisation of circa £7 billion and over 6,100 employees across 38 locations. Established in 1804, the founding family remains a core shareholder, holding approximately 44% of Schroders’ shares.

Schroders has benefited from a diverse business model by geography, asset class and client type. It offers innovative products and solutions across four core growing business areas; asset management, solutions, Schroders Capital (private markets) and wealth management. Clients include insurance companies, pension schemes, sovereign wealth funds, high net worth individuals and foundations. Schroders also manages assets for end clients as part of its relationships with distributors, financial advisers and online platforms.

Schroders aims to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. It also channels capital into sustainable and durable businesses to accelerate positive change in the world. Schroders’ business philosophy is based on the belief that if we deliver for clients, we will deliver for our shareholders and other stakeholders.

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Media Contacts:

Andy Pearce, Head of Media Relations
+44 20 7658 2203
Andy.Pearce@Schroders.com

Justine Crestois, PR Executive
+44 20 7658 5186
Justine.Crestois@Schroders.com

SOURCE: Schroders plc