The FCA has recently shared insights from a review on fund managers’ compliance with regulatory standards in ESG and sustainable investment funds.
ESG Today stated that this review is particularly significant as it precedes the FCA’s finalization of its Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) and investment labels regime. These initiatives are integral to the UK’s Green Finance Strategy, which aims to position the country as a global hub for green finance and align financial activities with broader climate and environmental goals.
The FCA’s review identified a disconnect between the ESG and sustainability goals stated by investment products and their actual alignment with these goals. Despite some progress in areas like developing ESG scoring systems and thorough due diligence on third-party data providers, the review revealed that many firms still fall short of expectations, especially regarding clarity and disclosure to retail investors.
Key issues highlighted include inconsistencies in products’ alignment with their stated ESG goals, discrepancies in fund holdings compared to their ESG objectives, and inadequate explanation or inclusion of key ESG information in disclosures
The FCA also plans to implement an investment labelling system to provide clear information on the sustainability characteristics of investment products. This move aims to improve transparency and help investors navigate the complex landscape of sustainable investments, while also combating the risk of greenwashing.
Despite the progress in some areas, the review by the FCA suggests that substantial work is needed to ensure that ESG and sustainable investment products are transparent and aligned with their advertised goals.
Camille Blackburn, Director of Wholesale Buy-Side at the FCA, commented on the UK’s asset management sector, highlighting the country’s leadership in the field and the upcoming regulatory changes. Blackburn stated, “The UK’s asset management sector is world leading and we want to keep it that way. The changes we are making to the regulatory regime through upcoming rules on labelling will help retail investors and consumers understand and be confident in knowing exactly what they are investing in.”
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