Pri Podcasts

In this episode, Nathan Fabian, Chief Sustainable Systems Officer at the PRI, examines what happens to the world’s ageing, high-emitting infrastructure—and why the way we decommission these assets is central to a just and orderly transition. He is joined by Julien Halfon, Head of Corporate and Pensions Solutions at BNP Paribas Asset Management, whose team estimates there are at least US$7.5 trillion in unfunded decommissioning costs embedded in today’s energy and industrial systems. Together, they explore how responsible investors can move from walking away from “brown” assets to actively stewarding them through end of life, clean-up and repurposing.OverviewThe conversation begins with Julien outlining the research behind the US $7.5–8 trillion decommissioning liability estimate, drawing on global studies from regulators, multilateral institutions and sectoral assessments. He explains how decommissioning liabilities emerged from the nuclear sector and is now a critical but underfunded obligation across oil an

In this episode, Nathan Fabian, Chief Sustainable Systems Officer at the PRI, explores the deep interconnection between climate and nature and what it means for investors. Joining him are Laura Bosch, Senior Engagement Specialist at Robeco and member of the Advisory Committee for the PRI’s Spring Initiative, and Graham Stock, Managing Director at RBC BlueBay Asset Management and co-chair of the Investor Policy Dialogue on Deforestation (IPDD). Together, they unpack the financial and systemic risks of biodiversity loss, the emerging opportunities in sustainable investment, and the growing need for investors to act on the climate–nature nexus during COP30 and beyond.Overview The conversation begins by defining the climate-nature nexus as more than a conceptual link it’s an integrated system of feedback loops that shape economies, markets, and societies. Graham explains how deforestation and ecosystem degradation feed directly into sovereign credit risk, citing Brazil’s forests as a clear example of natural capi

Extreme weather events are reshaping the investment landscape. How can investors protect portfolios—and communities—from the rising physical risks of climate change? In this episode, Kate Webber, Chief Solutions and Technology Officer at the PRI, speaks with Dr Calvin Lee Kwan of Link Asset Management and Simon Whistler, PRI’s Head of Real Assets, to explore how investors can turn climate resilience into both risk management and value creation.Overview Physical climate risk is no longer theoretical—it’s here. Floods, fires, and black-rain events are increasing in frequency and intensity, with real financial consequences. Simon Whistler outlines how investors are beginning to quantify and address these risks, yet highlights that fewer than one-third of PRI signatories currently report on physical climate risk metrics. Calvin Lee Kwan shares how Link Asset Management has moved from reactive recovery to proactive resilience—reducing insurance premiums by 11.7% and strengthening investor confidence in the process

Is the transition to a sustainable economy happening to us or because of us? Associate Professor Ioannis Ioannou (London Business School) joins host Kate Webber to unpack the recent ESG backlash and why today’s “disorderly transition” must become an orderly one. We explore how investors can push markets toward aligned capitalism - a system that lives within planetary and social boundaries - while unlocking “trapped competencies” and long-term value.Overview Ioannou argues we don’t choose whether to transition—the system is already shifting amid climate change, biodiversity loss, and widening social inequalities. The real choice is whether that transition is orderly (policy-led, long-term, and integrated) or disorderly (reactive, crisis-driven). He outlines how investors can re-center long-termism, integrate sustainability into core strategy (not a side product), and restore the original purpose of capital markets: scaling real-economy solutions.Detailed coverageOrderly vs. disorderly transition: Planetary bou

A decade on from the Paris Agreement, COP30 in Brazil is shaping up to be the implementation COP. For investors, this means not only understanding the risks of inaction but also seizing the opportunities that climate and nature-based solutions present. In this episode, Tamsin Ballard, Chief Initiatives Officer at the PRI, speaks with Wendy Walford, Head of Climate and Nature Risk at Legal & General and Policy Track co-lead for the Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance, about why institutional investors are engaging in the UN climate negotiations and what they hope to achieve Wendy Walford explains how Legal & General integrates climate and nature considerations into decision-making and why COP30 represents a pivotal moment. She highlights the role of private finance in achieving the Baku to Belém Roadmap commitment of mobilising $1.3 trillion for emerging and developing economies. The conversation explores why investors must be at the table, how alliances can amplify their voice, and why policy stability is

As geopolitical tensions rise, responsible investors are asking tough questions: Is there a case for responsible investment in defence? In this episode, Nathan Fabian, Chief Sustainable Systems Officer at PRI, is joined by Mark Wade (Allianz Global Investors), Estelle Parker (Responsible Investment Association Australasia), and Torben Möger Pedersen (Danish Foreign Policy Society; former CEO, PensionDanmark) to explore whether defence can be considered part of responsible investment, and if so, under what conditions. Overview The discussion examines the complexities of defence in the environmental, social and governance context. With NATO members increasing their budgetary commitments and European states boosting spending, defence is becoming a more prevalent part of the investment landscape. Yet reputational, human rights, and environmental risks remain at the forefront of investor concerns. The panel unpacks exclusion versus inclusion approaches, the rise of dual-use technologies, transparency challeng

With just weeks to go until COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the world’s attention is turning to how global climate commitments can move from promise to practice. Investors are central to this shift — from financing the transition to engaging with policymakers - all of which we’ll be discussing at PRI in Person in São Paulo, just days before COP30 kicks off. In this episode, Tamsin Ballard, Chief Investor Initiatives Officer at the PRI, speaks to Ana Toni, CEO of COP30, about the critical role of the investment community in shaping outcomes at this year’s UN Climate Conference.OverviewCOP30 marks a pivotal moment: the first time all elements of the Paris Agreement’s “full cycle” come into play. Countries must submit their decarbonisation and adaptation plans through to 2035, setting the framework that will guide both public and private capital flows. Against the backdrop of worsening climate impacts — and all this as the Amazon rainforest hosts — the stakes for implementation have never been higher.Ana Toni outlines h

Intro / HookThe PRI Awards showcase the very best in responsible investment — but they also reveal much more. In this episode Paul Van Eynde, Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at the PRI chats to award judge Claire Hierons of the Laudes Foundation and Dan Neale from the Church Commissioners for England, shortlisted for recognition. The conversation highlights how investors are embracing stewardship, system-level thinking, and accountability to drive real-world impact.OverviewThe PRI Awards are designed to spotlight leadership and innovation among PRI signatories, spanning asset owners, investment managers, and service providers. With over 139 submissions this year across categories including climate, nature, human rights, stewardship, and communications, the awards reflect the diversity and maturity of responsible investment worldwide.Claire Hierons shares insights from her experience as a judge, noting the evolution of systemic stewardship and the growing sophistication of entries. Dan Neale discusses t

How does a leading investment fund fully integrate stewardship and sustainability into its strategy?In this episode of The Responsibility of Investing, Cambria Allen-Ratzlaff, Chief Responsible Investment Ecosystems Officer at the PRI, is joined by Jonathan Grabel, Chief Investment Officer for the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA). They discuss how LACERA incorporates responsible investment principles across all asset classes, driven by a strong fiduciary duty to its beneficiaries.Jonathan shares insights into LACERA’s governance structure, investment beliefs, and the operational integration of stewardship and the TIDE (Towards Inclusion, Diversity & Equity) programme. The conversation explores the role of data, proxy voting, and climate scenario analysis in managing risk and generating durable, risk-adjusted returns. Listeners will gain a clear understanding of how sustainability is embedded at every level of LACERA’s investment process to protect and grow assets for current an

Can sustainability truly redefine the landscape of private markets and drive unprecedented financial value? In this episode of The Responsibility of Investing, Kate Webber, Chief Solutions & Technology Officer at the PRI is joined by Aditya Vikram, Head of Private Equity at the PRI to explore a topic that’s transforming private markets: sustainability as a driver of financial value. Discover how sustainability has shifted from a mere buzzword to an essential element of business resilience and capital formation. With insights drawn from over 400 global investors, Aditya demonstrates how sustainability's role as a key driver for financial value transcends geographical boundaries. Learn how tools like AI and data analytics are revolutionising the identification of sustainability risks and opportunities, making them a cornerstone of modern investment strategies. Hear insights into the PRI's ‘sustainability value creation framework’, developed with Bain & Company and NYU Stern Centre for Sustaina

How is AI revolutionising the way we approach responsible investing? In this episode, Paul Van Eynde, Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at the PRI is joined by Lorenzo Saa, Chief Sustainability Officer at Clarity AI, to explore how technological innovation is reshaping the investment landscape. Lorenzo shares his journey from microfinance to becoming a front-runner in sustainable investments, offering insights into the transition from traditional analyst-driven models to pioneering data and technology-driven solutions at Clarity AI. Hear how AI can be used as a collaborative tool to enhance understanding of sustainability issues and opening new avenues for improved investment outcomes, particularly in emerging markets, leveraging alternative data sets and using AI for environmental monitoring. Focusing on the interplay between human and artificial intelligence in the investment realm, Lorenzo explains that AI tools not only enhance productivity but also offer deeper insights, likening AI’s capabilities t

With more than 5,000 PRI signatories navigating different mandates, asset mixes, and sustainability priorities, a one-size-fits-all approach to responsible investment no longer works.In this episode, our host and Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer Paul Van Eynde speaks to our Chief Sustainable Systems Officer, Nathan Fabian, to unpack the thinking behind the PRI’s Pathways framework, designed to reflect the real-world complexity of responsible investment and support signatories in ways that make sense for them.Later, our Chief Solutions and Technology Officer, Kate Webber, explains how her team is bringing that framework to life, turning it into a product signatories can use and interact with through MyPRI, our new digital portal launching in November.For more on Pathways and MyPRI, visit: https://pathways.unpri.orgNew episodes released fortnightly. Subscribe to The Responsibility of Investing wherever you get your podcasts.

In the inaugural episode of the relaunched The Responsibility of Investing podcast Paul Van Eynde, Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at the PRI chats with José Pugas, Partner & Chief Sustainability Officer at Regia Capital about the upcoming COP30  in Belem, Brazil in November 2025 to explore the critical intersection of finance and environmental responsibility . José shares the pivotal role of nature in investment strategies and offers invaluable insights into Regia Capital’s establishment as a joint venture between Brazilian giants JGP Asset Management and Banco do Brasil Asset Management, highlighting their pioneering role in green finance within Brazil's ecological transition framework.With a focus on Brazil, explore the challenges and opportunities associated with nature-based solutions. José highlights the importance of collaborating with experts outside the financial sector and emphasizes the potential for global investors to support emerging markets in their transition to low-carbon

The Responsibility of Investing (formerly The Principles for Responsible Investment) is a podcast by the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the world’s largest global body on responsible investment, representing over $128 trillion in assets under management. Each episode features conversations with thought leaders and experts from around the world, exploring how sustainable factors are transforming the investment landscape. Listen for unique insight into how climate, nature and human rights issues are affecting asset classes and responsible investment policies.  The series helps PRI signatories - and the wider investment community - navigate responsible investment with greater precision and confidence, for the benefit of both investors and society. No matter your size, market, nor stage of the responsible investment journey, The Responsibility of Investing will bring you a new perspective every fortnight.Join us in São Paulo for the world’s leading responsible investment event, as we retur

In this episode of the PRI podcast, we discuss implementing net zero commitments in listed equity portfolios. Joined by Anna Cala, Assistant Vice President, ESG, ClearBridge Investments, and Maia Becker, Senior Director, RBC Global Asset Management, we explore: Net zero ambition & commitments Challenges and issues on the path to net zero Steps taken towards achieving these targets The role of divestments in achieving net zero targets Download full transcript.  

In this week's podcast, we look at the social licence of infrastructure investing. Joined by Gwen Colin of Vauban Infrastructure and Antoine Tréboz of ALiS, we explore: ·       How the social licence delivers better infrastructure projects for investors and their stakeholders ·       How to conduct effective stakeholder engagement Find the transcript here: https://bit.ly/3FQ5sAn  

 In this episode, Sebastien Akbik, Corporate Governance Analyst at the PRI spoke with Kiran Aziz, Head of Responsible Investments from KLP and Daniel Mulé, Policy Lead, Extractive Industries Tax and Transparency from Oxfam America.  They discussed the importance for responsible investors to consider tax both from a risk mitigation and positive impact perspective. The speakers also discussed the increasing momentum on tax, including the shareholder proposals on tax transparency filed by Oxfam America and KLP.     Find transcript here: https://bit.ly/3YMKuJ8           

Many governments are turning to labelled sustainable bonds, and Latin American sovereigns have been particularly innovative. The PRI’s latest podcast delves into the issuer and investor perspective, and the different types of bonds coming to the market. In this podcast we discuss: The state and evolution of the sovereign sustainable bond market How Latin America have approached this market and how Columbia, Mexico, and Chile have been the leaders in this space. Weighing up use-of-proceeds labelled bonds versus sustainability-linked bonds It features Esther Law, who is a Senior Investment Manager in Emerging Market Debt at Amundi and César Arias, the former Director of Public Credit and National Treasury at the Ministry of Finance of Colombia. Find podcast transcript here : https://bit.ly/3Xx5XGm 

In this episode, the PRI’s head of fixed income, Carmen Nuzzo speaks with Adam Heltzer of Ares Management and Faith Rosenfeld of HPS Investment Partners, to discuss how private debt investors are incorporating ESG into their investment practices.    With this, they discuss the ESG opportunities for private debt and private equity investors to collaborate and the regulatory implications on reporting with limited partners. 

In this special episode of the PRI podcast, we shine the spotlight on COP27. Host Liz Barnes speaks with Habib Abdur-Rahman, Head of ESG at Investcorp, and Prudential's Liza Jansen, Head of Responsible Investment at Prudential, and member of the UN-Convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance. With just a week to go until the highly anticipated climate conference, they discuss their expectations for COP27, the role of investors in scaling up actions to deliver on a just transition to net zero, and how blended finance can be leveraged to mobilise capital into where finance is needed the most.