NH Amundi Asset Management said on the 31st that it held a roundtable on the 13th with David Atkin, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), a global responsible investment initiative.
PRI is the largest global responsible investment initiative, established in 2006 under the leadership of the UN to support integrating ESG (environmental, social and governance) into the investment decision-making process. More than 5,000 institutional investors worldwide are managing $12.8 trillion (about 18,310.4 trillion won) in asset in accordance with PRI principles.
The two sides shared global responsible investment trends, including Korea, and discussed ways to expand cooperation going forward.
At the roundtable, CEO David Atkin said concerns had grown about an ESG rollback after the launch of the U.S. Trump administration, but the seriousness of climate change and the economic advantage of renewable energy are driving the energy transition, so responsible investment will continue.
He went on to share an internal policy change marking PRI's 20th anniversary next year, easing the signatory onboarding requirements and reporting obligations from 240 items to 40. He also said PRI would consider ways to share NH Amundi Asset Management's "Say on Climate" shareholder engagement and other strong responsible investment cases with global signatories.
The Say on Climate shareholder engagement is a stewardship activity that checks the level of a target corporations' response to climate change and urges improvements. Chief Executive Gil Jeong-seop said responsible investment in Korea is in its early stages, but a positive environment is forming with the new administration's push for ESG policies. He also emphasized that the company would strengthen cooperative activities with PRI to advance responsible investment in Asia, including Korea.
Gil said, "As a leading responsible investment manager in Korea, we will continue to work closely with PRI," adding, "We will strive together to spread best practices not only in Korea but across Asia and to build a responsible investment ecosystem that aligns with global standards."