Insights
Latest Insights
Our team is committed to conducting innovative research.
From ESG to impact investing, here is our latest thinking.
Annual impact bond market review
Published: December 2022
In our market review we take a deep dive into the evolution of the impact bond market this year, and our thoughts on the perceived ‘greenium’. As regulation around sustainability continues to increase globally we also provide an overview of the key developments we are seeing across Australia, Europe, Japan and the UK.
Regulations & Sustainability Reporting
Published: October 2022
As investor appetite for sustainable investment solutions continues to grow, we are seeing a proliferation of regulations and reporting standards coming to the market globally. In this insight, we provide an overview of what these disclosure frameworks currently entail, how we believe they will evolve going forward and how we at AIM are addressing them.
Fiona Reynolds interview: a discussion with our Senior Advisor
Published: May 2022
Fiona Reynolds, CEO of Conexus Financial and former CEO of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) joined AIM as a senior advisor late last year. During a recent visit to our London office, we sat down with her and had an engaging conversation around the development, challenges and area of focus she foresees for responsible investing, as well as her return to Australia.
Positive selection vs negative screening
Published: February 2022
In this insight, we outline the different approaches investors are employing to incorporate impact and sustainability considerations into their portfolios. We take a deep dive into the two main approaches – positive selection and negative screening – and outline why we believe positive selection is a powerful tool to build client portfolios which deliver our mission: generating mainstream returns with impact.
Stephen Fitzgerald speaks on CCA panel at COP26
Published: November 2021
At COP26 the Australian Climate Change Authority hosted a panel to launched a new report, Trade and investment trends in a decarbonising world, The report presents insights into how Australia can respond by viewing reducing emissions not as a cost but as a source of competitive advantage
Stephen Fitzgerald, AIM Managing Partner joined the panel along with speakers from the private and finance sectors, to discuss what it will take for Australia to continue to prosper in a decarbonising world.
Screening for impact: Spotlight on Sovereigns
Published: November 2021
Sovereign impact bonds are a key tool that governments can leverage to finance the implementation of national climate and social development action plans and to support international cooperation efforts. Issuance of sovereign impact bonds has boomed in recent years and we expect this trend to continue, spurred by what we hope will be ambitious outcomes of COP26.
Archives
Impact investing to finance the net zero transition
Published: October 2021
In this piece, we reflect on 2021. exploring the developments in our business and the impact investing market. We also look forward to the year ahead and our thoughts for the continued growth of the impact bond market.
Iain Lindsay interview: Thoughts from our newest team member
Published: July 2021
We are delighted to welcome Iain Lindsay to our team. Iain brings over 30 years of fixed income market experience and has joined AIM as a member of the Management Committee and co-Chair of the Investment Committee. Iain also has a PhD in Physics, is a proficient French speaker and a keen cyclist.
Greenium – fact or fiction?
Published: March 2021
Since the inception of the green bond market there has been a debate around the concept of a green bond yield discount, or ‘greenium’. Jonny Giles from our Portfolio Management team takes a look at what the latest research suggests and what this means for those looking to invest in impact bonds.
2020: A year in review
Published: December 2020
In this piece, we reflect on 2020. exploring the developments in our business and the impact investing market. We also look forward to the year ahead and our thoughts for the continued growth of the impact bond market.
ESG is about risk: Impact is about outcomes
Published: December 2020
The past decade has seen increasing awareness of ESG integration among investors as well as issuers. We believe ESG analysis is critical when investing in the fixed income market, but that ESG analysis does not go far enough. We believe the future is impact investing.
Sustainable impact investing in real estate: an investor’s view
Published: November 2020
If we are to transition to a low-carbon economy, decarbonising real estate will be essential. Buildings account for around a third of total final energy consumption globally. Katie House, from our sustainability team, outlines why investors choose sustainable real estate and the challenges to investing in this asset class.
Justin Eeles interview: Observations from the desk
Published: May 2020
With so much uncertainty in markets at present, many investors are wondering what this means for green, social and sustainable bonds. We have asked Justin Eeles, our CIO, to share his latest perspective on markets and the future outlook with a short Q&A.
From Molten Brown to Liquid Green
Published: November 2019
The green bond market was born in the midst of the global financial crisis of 2008 – a liquidity-driven crisis culminating in a credit crunch and worldwide recession. General concerns about bond liquidity have persisted ever since.
Market Comment: Combating COVID-19 through Impact Bonds
Published: April 2020
In response to the pandemic, many countries around the world have announced initiatives to support employment, public health and individuals, including those with existing vulnerabilities and underlying health problems.
Risk Levels in Corporate Debt
Published: July 2019
In this piece, we discuss risk levels in corporate debt and its potential future effects on the wider market. We outline what we believe to be the reasons behind the decline in credit quality, and how we are taking this into account within our own portfolios.
Assessing Physical Risk of Green Bonds
Published: April 2019
AIM partnered with South Pole to produce this case study as part of our continued commitment to pioneering best practice in green bond verification, impact measurement and reporting.
Launching the Carbon Yield Methodology
Published: October 2018
The Carbon Yield is a new metric looking to quantify the environmental impact of a Green Bond in terms of GHG emissions avoided through the financed activities. In this piece, we go deeper into the methodology.
Tales from the High Arctic: Navigating Climate Risks
Published: October 2018
In 2018, we participated in the annual Ny-Ålesund Symposium, which focused on climate risks. We explore here how the green bond market can help investors navigate climate risk.
Opening the Flood Gates for Green Water Bonds
Published: May 2018
4.5 billion people globally are without access to adequate sanitation and 2.1 billion lack access to clean drinking water. If water management is so critical, why haven’t we seen more labelled Green Water Bond issuance?
Sovereign Green Bond Rules Supreme
Published: January 2018
Sovereign bonds deserve investors’ attention for the unique sustainability gains they can bring. A close analysis reveals how scale, synergies and sovereigns’ exclusive access to specific sectors can create some unique sustainability benefits. What are the drawbacks that could reduce impact?
Seeking Shelter From the Storm
Published: October 2017
Estimated projections for population and the carbon intensity of economic growth make it increasingly clear that we may be locked into at least a 2.0°C warming scenario. With extreme weather events expected to become more frequent and ferocious with global warming, we must begin to adapt and build for resilience.