Left to their own devices, capital markets cannot save the planet: KPMG survey

• Only 14% of asset management leaders believe equities are pricing in climate risks

• Policy confusion and lack of clarity is slowing progress on green portfolios

• COP26 and a shift towards ‘the green agenda’ could be key catalysts for change
  

28 October 2021 - Despite attracting a wall of money, capital markets are failing to price in climate risks due to policy confusion and a lack of clarity on financial impact, according to a global survey by KPMG, CREATE-Research and the CAIA Association.

Based on interviews with almost 100 leaders from large investment houses and pension plans with $34.5 trillion of assets, the “Can capital markets help save the planet?” survey found that only 14% of respondents believed equities are currently pricing in climate risks. The corresponding figure for alternative investments was 11%, and for bonds, 8%.

Respondents also indicated that progress is more evident in public equities because the stewardship opportunities they offer are now believed to be critical to value creation in the transition to a low-carbon future. Overall, climate pricing is more evident in the energy sector and least evident in capital-intensive projects that have a longer time horizon to commercialization.

“There is currently no clear line of sight between climate investing and its impacts. Green portfolios have not yet equated to a green planet,” said Anthony Cowell, co-author and Head of Asset Management, KPMG Islands Group.

The key barrier appears to be the inexact nature of climate science and its resulting effect on GDP. No historical record or experience exists of how our economic and financial systems can or will react to these effects. The problem is only compounded by the seeming lack of clarity in policy pathways from governments and regulators that should be incentivising a low-carbon future. Intentions run ahead of actions. The opportunities and risks inherent in climate change have been hard to assess.

“The invisible hand of markets needs to be matched by the visible boot of governments,” said Amin Rajan, the report’s co-author and the chief executive of CREATE-Research.

As yet, no jurisdiction has an established set of rules that properly integrate environmental and social costs into companies’ financial reporting, particularly in ways that can assist the price discovery of climate risks. Because of this, market-based incentives and investment in low-carbon technologies are slow to evolve. Progress is also hindered by the lack of uniform carbon price in the current generation of emissions trading systems, which remain at the forefront of tackling climate change.

However, two events are noted as being critical turning points. One is the new green agenda of the key economies, involving, among others, the adoption of clean energy standards, the mandatory reporting of the carbon footprint of listed companies and a revision of the fiduciary rules on the inclusion of environmental, social and governance factors in the portfolios of pension plans; the other is the United Nations COP26 in Glasgow starting on October 31, 2021. “Respondents see this as vital to the carbon-pricing debate, but sustainable action in the home port of the Parties is an essential next step,” said William Kelly, the third co-author of the report and the CEO of CAIA Association.

According to 84% of survey respondents, more coordinated intergovernmental actions are likely following the Glasgow summit, and capital markets are bracing themselves for stronger tailwinds following progress on three key fronts: carbon pricing, innovation in alternative energy and mandatory data reporting.

When asked whether capital markets are likely to start factoring in climate risks on a notable scale, 42% of respondents said ‘yes’, 30% said ‘maybe’ and 28% said ‘no’. Over 60% of respondents expect all asset classes to advance further towards pricing in climate risks over the next three years.  

The report concludes that channelling trillions of dollars of capital toward the technologies needed to power a low-carbon economy requires a huge, concerted effort in policy as well as incentives. Without these, some respondents fear that if the policy inertia of the recent past continues to allow risks to build up in the global financial system, a ‘Minsky moment’ will take place: a collapse in securities’ prices due to sudden panic at some future date. 

Ng Huiwen

Associate Manager, Marketing & Communications
KPMG in Singapore 
E: huiwenng1@kpmg.com.sg

Jeanie Lee

Associate Director, Marketing & Communications
KPMG in Singapore
E: jeanielee@kpmg.com.sg

About KPMG International:
KPMG is a global organization of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We operate in 146 countries and territories and in FY20 had close to 227,000 people working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such.

KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients.

About CREATE-Research:
CREATE-Research is an independent research boutique specializing in strategic change and the newly emerging business models in global asset management. It undertakes major research assignments from prominent financial institutions and global companies. It works closely with senior decision makers in reputable organizations across Europe and the US. Its work is disseminated through high profile reports and events that attract wide attention in the media. Further information can be found at create-research.co.uk.

About CAIA Association:
CAIA Association is a global professional credentialing body dedicated to creating greater alignment, transparency, and knowledge for all investors, with a specific emphasis on alternative investments. A Member-driven organization representing more than 11,000 professionals in more than 100 countries, CAIA Association advocates for the highest ethical standards. The organization provides unbiased insight on a broad range of investment strategies and industry issues, key among them being efforts to bring greater diversification to portfolio construction decisions to achieve better long-term investor outcomes. To learn more about the CAIA Association and how to become part of the organization’s mission, please visit https://caia.org/.