Responsible investment

Keep up to date with news about responsible investment

The Kent Pension Fund Responsible Investment (RI) Policy sets out how Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) issues will be considered when making investment decisions. Find out about the responsible investment policy (PDF, 624.1 KB)

The policy explains the approach we expect our Fund Managers to take on our behalf to engage with and encourage responsible investment behaviour from the companies we invest in. This can be in the form of shareholder voting or meetings with the companies regarding ESG issues.

Net zero commitment

The Kent Pension Fund Committee has agreed an ambitious policy package to address climate risk, including a headline net zero target of 2050; interim emission reduction goals aligned with limiting global temperature increases to 1.5°C; and a 15% target allocation to sustainable investment assets by 2030.

In addition to adopting a net zero target of 2050, the Fund will also target a 43% reduction in emissions arising from its equity investments by 2030, and a 69% reduction by 2040. This pathway is consistent with the pace of decarbonisation required by the latest science to limit global warming to 1.5°C, as assessed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. As the global economy moves away from fossil fuels over the coming decades, the interim milestones will be critical in helping the Fund to navigate transition risk safely.

Read the full net zero commitment statement

Responsible Investment Working Group (RIWG)

To increase its capacity for the consideration of responsible investment issues, the Kent County Council Pension Fund Committee has created a responsible investment working group. This group is tasked with development and implementation of the Fund’s RI policy and to make recommendations to the Pension Fund Committee where appropriate.

Terms of reference

The RIWG is a non-decision-making group. It supports the Kent Pension Fund Committee in researching, developing and reviewing the Fund’s approach to all aspects of Responsible and Sustainable Investment. It includes, but not limited to:

  • Reviewing the Fund’s Responsible Investment Policy.
  • Review and consider approach to Stewardship (Voting and Engagement).
  • Review progress toward the Fund’s Net Zero commitment.
  • Research and review the Fund’s Taskforce for Climate Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) reporting.
  • Research and evaluate the Fund’s approach to Impact investment.
  • Receive updates on the ACCESS RI approach.
  • Receive updates from, and consider memberships of external RI related groups such as LAPFF, Pensions for Purpose, Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).
  • Review the Fund’s Stewardship Code reporting.
  • Review the findings of the Fund’s periodic PRI assessments.
  • Any other RI and sustainable related activity.

Voting

The Fund’s RI Policy requires our managers to report on their voting decisions. In addition we also receive reports relating to how our investments in our ACCESS pool are being voted on.

Voting summaries

We collate the summaries received from our Fund Managers on a quarterly basis. The information details the results of votes made on the Fund’s behalf by our investment managers at a variety of meetings at the companies in which they invest in. Some examples of issues that are voted upon are:

  • election of board members
  • distribution of bonuses
  • diversity issues
  • approval of financial statements
  • environmental issues.

Find out the voting summaries for the periods:

Find out voting summaries in previous periods

Contact us

For enquiries relating to responsible investment, please email PFresponsible.investment@kent.gov.uk