By investing in climate-aligned real assets, defined-contribution pension schemes can help propel the transition while also benefiting from portfolio diversification and attractive risk-adjusted returns, says Mark Meiklejon.

UK regulators and policymakers are increasingly keen to channel private-sector capital into infrastructure and other long-term projects designed to boost economic growth. In this environment, there are opportunities for the trustees of defined-contribution (DC) pension schemes to begin offering their clients access to real assets.

Investing directly in real assets has historically been the preserve of large institutional investors, which are typically able to commit large amounts of capital to a single investment. These investors also usually provide patient capital, which means they recognise the illiquidity inherent in the asset class and are accepting of the long-term nature of investments to deliver additional investment returns.

Evidence suggests that while the market is still nascent, most DC pension schemes have been underinvested in this area, with default strategies overwhelmingly favouring lower-cost equity and bond funds.

There are several arguments for DC schemes to increase allocations to real assets, since they offer many characteristics that set them apart from public-market investments and offer some distinct advantages in a diversified portfolio.

They help diversify members’ exposure to public markets and offer the potential for attractive long-term returns, capturing illiquidity premia. Moreover, in some cases, they offer the only means of gaining pure exposure to sectors such as life sciences, renewable energy, and social housing, areas with strong growth potential that enable members to feel more connected to their capital.

DC schemes can play their part in helping accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral economy

By investing in real assets, DC schemes can also play their part in helping accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral economy, and not just by investing in renewables, but via other investments too, notably real estate and direct natural capital investments.

After all, the built environment is a major contributor to climate change, with around 37 per cent of global carbon emissions associated with the construction and maintenance of buildings.1

Inefficient, carbon-intensive assets are likely to be affected by new green regulations and shifting demand patterns over the coming years. They may also be vulnerable to the physical risks of climate change, from extreme heat to floods and wildfires.

Aviva Investors’ Climate Transition Real Assets strategy aims to mitigate specific risks and take advantage of the opportunities associated with the climate transition while also realising key financial outcomes for clients in the form of diversification, illiquidity premia and uncorrelated returns. We can do this by proactively decarbonising existing assets; acquiring and developing new, climate-friendly real estate; developing new infrastructure assets, including socially beneficial assets like fibre broadband and electric vehicle (EV) charging networks; and by identifying opportunities to capture carbon via nature-based solutions.

Download Building better: Opportunities for DC schemes to invest in the climate transition through real assetsto understand:

  • Some of the main benefits real assets have to offer defined contribution pension schemes.
  • The limitations of strategies focused solely on public markets.
  • The role real asset investments have to play in helping tackle climate change.

Climate Transition Real Assets

A real assets strategy that seeks to deliver capital growth and income and make a positive contribution to the transition to a low-carbon economy. 

Find out more

Key risks

Investment risk

The value of an investment and any income from it can go down as well as up and can fluctuate in response to changes in currency and exchange rates. Investors may not get back the original amount invested.

Real estate risk

Investments in real estate may not be able to be sold, realised or liquidated when you want because real estate assets may not always be readily saleable. If this is the case, we may defer your request or instruction regarding your investment. Investors should also bear in mind that the valuation of real estate is generally a matter of valuers’ opinion rather than fact.

Sustainable investing risk

The level of sustainability risk to which the strategy is exposed, and therefore the value of its investments, may fluctuate depending on the investment opportunities identified by the Investment Manager.

Subscribe to AIQ

Receive our insights on the big themes influencing financial markets and the global economy, from interest rates and inflation to technology and environmental change. 

Subscribe today

Related views

Important information

THIS IS A MARKETING COMMUNICATION

Except where stated as otherwise, the source of all information is Aviva Investors Global Services Limited (AIGSL). Unless stated otherwise any views and opinions are those of Aviva Investors. They should not be viewed as indicating any guarantee of return from an investment managed by Aviva Investors nor as advice of any nature. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but has not been independently verified by Aviva Investors and is not guaranteed to be accurate. Past performance is not a guide to the future. The value of an investment and any income from it may go down as well as up and the investor may not get back the original amount invested. Nothing in this material, including any references to specific securities, assets classes and financial markets is intended to or should be construed as advice or recommendations of any nature. Some data shown are hypothetical or projected and may not come to pass as stated due to changes in market conditions and are not guarantees of future outcomes. This material is not a recommendation to sell or purchase any investment.

The information contained herein is for general guidance only. It is the responsibility of any person or persons in possession of this information to inform themselves of, and to observe, all applicable laws and regulations of any relevant jurisdiction. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation to any person in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorised or to any person to whom it would be unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

In Europe this document is issued by Aviva Investors Luxembourg S.A. Registered Office: 2 rue du Fort Bourbon, 1st Floor, 1249 Luxembourg. Supervised by Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier. An Aviva company. In the UK this document is by Aviva Investors Global Services Limited. Registered in England No. 1151805. Registered Office: 80 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 4AE. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm Reference No. 119178. In Switzerland, this document is issued by Aviva Investors Schweiz GmbH.