Real business and economic risks are associated with climate change and transitioning to a carbon-neutral economic future. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report, Impacts, Adaptations and Vulnerabilities, released in 2022 states the risks clearly.

In September 2022, we reemphasized our views on climate risk and the value of an active approach to net zero investing in “There Is Nothing Passive Net Zero in Fixed Income.” We wrote, “Breckinridge believes there is a solid investment case for long-term investors to transition portfolio holdings to net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, consistent with global ambitions to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.”

Our conviction about material climate risks is consistent with our decision more than a decade ago to systematically integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) analysis into our investment process. As with most ESG risks, we believe that climate and transition risks are not adequately assessed or priced into many investments and, that these financially material risks will increase over time.

As a corporate bond investor, Breckinridge is responsible for evaluating the reliability of future cash flows, which requires us to focus on the evolving risks and opportunities associated with a carbon-neutral economy. In our discussions with corporate and municipal bond issuers, we are often impressed by the growing understanding of the need to manage, mitigate, and adapt to climate risk.

In December 2021, we signed the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative (NZAMi), an international group of asset managers committed to supporting the goal of net zero (GHG) emissions by 2050 or sooner. Today, nearly 300 asset managers with more than $66 trillion in assets under management have joined us as NZAM signatories.

We believe the NZAMi is facilitating the addition of important new frameworks for the analysis of a company’s progress in transitioning from carbon. NZAMi signatories are developing investment approaches independently that recognize the financial materiality of climate risk and an associated economic transition, including efforts to benchmark the progress of security issuers toward their own net zero goals.

In the year since signing NZAMi, we developed our own bottom-up corporate issuer and alignment assessment and an engagement program to support our NZAMi commitments. Our NZAMi investment case is defined by the Breckinridge investment team and integrated within a net zero investment framework that is focused on financial materiality.

Corporate Climate Transition Risk Framework

Our Corporate Climate Transition Risk Framework serves as the foundation for our net zero assessments. Our analysts created the framework leveraging the guidance found in the Implementation Guide published by the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC). Employing the process, our security analysts can assess exposure to climate risks, track emissions reductions, evaluate the climate related goals of a company and their strategies to achieve the goals, and the quality of a company’s climate governance approach.

NZAMi also asks asset managers to assess strategies and feasibility of emissions reductions initiatives, capital expenditures, research and development alignment, and to conduct an engagement process with issuers to gain further insights onto their net zero progress. Our assessments are summarized in company-level net zero categorizations that indicate progress along net zero pathway (Figure 1).

Companies can achieve net zero through a combination of reducing their GHG emissions and neutralizing any remaining GHG emissions by removing an equivalent amount from the atmosphere through the purchase of carbon credits.

Net Zero Targets

We set three targets:

Portfolio Coverage Target: We commit to attaining a minimum of 90 precent (by market value) of all corporate fixed income assets under management in the achieving, aligned, or aligning categories by 2030. Our analysts will measure progress using our Corporate Transition Risk Framework.

Portfolio Decarbonization Target: We seek to reduce fair share emissions intensity in net zero aligned portfolios, as requested by clients, by 50 percent by 2030 from our 2019 baseline. The target is inclusive of operational emissions (Scope 1 and 2) at the portfolio level, calculated in line with Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) emissions accounting standards. We expect to outline a separate scope 3 target over time as data availability and consistency improves.

Engagement Threshold Target: We believe forward-looking investing demands a strong sense of stewardship, engagement, and collaboration. We will engage with at least 70 percent of financed emissions annually starting in 2023, increasing to 90 percent by 2030.

Net Zero Customization Capabilities

We can customize portfolios to align with our NZAMi commitment, consistent with our broader investment approach. To learn more, please contact a member of our consultant relations team.

Our Operational Emissions

Beyond our investment approach, each business unit within the firm is working to understand the NZAMi commitment and its business implications for their teams. Governance of the commitment is top down, formed by the firm’s senior leadership team and supported by the Board of Directors.

While there are no set targets in the NZAMi for operational emissions, it’s expected that firms take this into consideration in their overall goals. In 2021, we set a goal for more meaningful and accurate measurement of our own emissions, making incremental moves in that direction. For example, a new managed travel program includes the ability to track emissions more accurately using data directly from airlines, and estimated emissions from hotel stays and rental cars.

The program was officially activated in January 2022, just as business travel was increasing post COVID restrictions. We plan to report on our progress in our 2022 Corporate Social Responsibility report.

The Commitment Is Growing, So Too Is the Urgency

For many years, resistance from investors to examining climate risk was based on the lack of consistent disclosure and proper frameworks. The NZAM helps to overcome this by setting clear targets and facilitating the development of new frameworks for assessing a company’s progress in reducing emissions and transitioning from carbon.

While we take a cautious view of issuers’ net zero aspirations—and may consider selling corporate bond holdings with materially weak or lagging climate transition performance over time—we are encouraged to see the growing understanding of the net zero movement.

We also are keenly aware of the finite time available to investors to get ahead of the risks posed by GHG emissions and advancing climate change, as well as to identify opportunities to invest in and advance the efforts of companies that are pursuing net zero operations.

The net zero movement provides a well-defined path for issuers, investors, and asset owners to follow and at Breckinridge, we look forward to working diligently and collaboratively with all towards achieving its goals.

DISCLAIMER

This material provides general and/or educational information and should not be construed as a solicitation or offer of Breckinridge services or products or as legal, tax or investment advice. The content is current as of the time of writing or as designated within the material. All information, including the opinions and views of Breckinridge, is subject to change without notice.

Any estimates, targets, and projections are based on Breckinridge research, analysis, and assumptions. No assurances can be made that any such estimate, target or projection will be accurate; actual results may differ substantially.

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Breckinridge makes no assurances, warranties or representations that any strategies described herein will meet their investment objectives or incur any profits. Any index results shown are for illustrative purposes and do not represent the performance of any specific investment. Indices are unmanaged and investors cannot directly invest in them. They do not reflect any management, custody, transaction or other expenses, and generally assume reinvestment of dividends, income and capital gains. Performance of indices may be more or less volatile than any investment strategy.

Performance results for Breckinridge’s investment strategies include the reinvestment of interest and any other earnings, but do not reflect any brokerage or trading costs a client would have paid. Results may not reflect the impact that any material market or economic factors would have had on the accounts during the time period. Due to differences in client restrictions, objectives, cash flows, and other such factors, individual client account performance may differ substantially from the performance presented.

All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. Diversification cannot assure a profit or protect against loss. Fixed income investments have varying degrees of credit risk, interest rate risk, default risk, and prepayment and extension risk. In general, bond prices rise when interest rates fall and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities. Income from municipal bonds can be declared taxable because of unfavorable changes in tax laws, adverse interpretations by the IRS or state tax authorities, or noncompliant conduct of a bond issuer.

Breckinridge believes that the assessment of ESG risks, including those associated with climate change, can improve overall risk analysis. When integrating ESG analysis with traditional financial analysis, Breckinridge’s investment team will consider ESG factors but may conclude that other attributes outweigh the ESG considerations when making investment decisions.

There is no guarantee that integrating ESG analysis will improve risk-adjusted returns, lower portfolio volatility over any specific time period, or outperform the broader market or other strategies that do not utilize ESG analysis when selecting investments. The consideration of ESG factors may limit investment opportunities available to a portfolio. In addition, ESG data often lacks standardization, consistency and transparency and for certain companies such data may not be available, complete or accurate.

Breckinridge’s ESG analysis is based on third party data and Breckinridge analysts’ internal analysis. Analysts will review a variety of sources such as corporate sustainability reports, data subscriptions, and research reports to obtain available metrics for internally developed ESG frameworks. Qualitative ESG information is obtained from corporate sustainability reports, engagement discussion with corporate management teams, among others. A high sustainability rating does not mean it will be included in a portfolio, nor does it mean that a bond will provide profits or avoid losses.

Net Zero alignment and classifications are defined by Breckinridge and are subjective in nature. Although our classification methodology is informed by the Net Zero Investment Framework Implementation Guide as outlined by the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change, it may not align with the methodology or definition used by other companies or advisors. Breckinridge is a member of the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials and uses the financed emissions methodology to track, monitor and allocate emissions. These differences should be considered when comparing Net Zero application and strategies.

Targets and goals for Net Zero can change over time and could differ from individual client portfolios. Breckinridge will continue to invest in companies with exposure to fossil fuels; however, we may adjust our exposure to these types of investments based on net zero alignment and classifications over time.

Any specific securities mentioned are for illustrative and example only. They do not necessarily represent actual investments in any client portfolio.

The effectiveness of any tax management strategy is largely dependent on each client’s entire tax and investment profile, including investments made outside of Breckinridge’s advisory services. As such, there is a risk that the strategy used to reduce the tax liability of the client is not the most effective for every client. Breckinridge is not a tax advisor and does not provide personal tax advice. Investors should consult with their tax professionals regarding tax strategies and associated consequences.

Federal and local tax laws can change at any time. These changes can impact tax consequences for investors, who should consult with a tax professional before making any decisions.

The content may contain information taken from unaffiliated third-party sources. Breckinridge believes the data provided by unaffiliated third parties to be reliable but investors should conduct their own independent verification prior to use. Some economic and market conditions contained herein have been obtained from published sources and/or prepared by third parties, and in certain cases have not been updated through the date hereof. All information contained herein is subject to revision.  Any third-party websites included in the content has been provided for reference only. Please see the Terms & Conditions page for third party licensing disclaimers.