Part one of three. Thoughts on the TCFD reports that the largest UK pension schemes have prepared.
In part one, we outline some of the key findings from TPR's review along with more detail on the governance aspects of the reports.
Scheme governance
Welcome to our reflections on the experiences of the schemes that published "Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) reports" in 20221. These reports represented the UK's largest schemes – those with assets of £5bn or more. The Pensions Regulator (TPR) published its review of the reports in March 2023, and this three-part series includes their key findings alongside our reflections, having advised many of the 71 schemes that published reports in this first wave.
In part one, we outline some of the key findings from TPR's review along with more detail on the governance aspects of the reports.
In part two, we will dive deeper into the reports' often-complex strategy, scenario analysis and risk management sections.
In part three, we will discuss the metrics and targets section of the reports before concluding with our thoughts on what schemes of all sizes should do next.
Introduction
To set the context, the world's climate is in a perilous state. It is already over 1 degree warmer than it was in pre-industrial times and temperatures are expected to continue to increase based on current climate policies2. Several tipping points have passed or will be passed soon, with potentially vast and irreversible damage to our world and irreversible changes to how we live3.
Therefore, large asset owners, like pension schemes, must manage the risks associated with climate change. It is equally important that they take positive action to support a timely and orderly transition to a net-zero carbon future. In this context, legislation was introduced via the Pension Schemes Act 2021 to compel trustees of the largest UK pension schemes to publish reports in compliance with TCFD requirements.
Preparing TCFD reports has been a significant undertaking for trustees. TPR noted that many were "substantial" documents (of up to 85 pages), demonstrating an encouraging level of engagement. TPR further stated that most of the reports complied with all the basic legislative requirements. However, there is still considerable work to do to ensure that schemes' responses to climate change risks and opportunities do not stop at reporting.
Our view: Tackling climate risk and embracing climate opportunities is not just about reporting. Instead, it should be part of the daily operation of the scheme and integrated into wider strategic decision-making.
Governance
Good governance leads to better outcomes for members. Only through good governance will trustees be able to take appropriate actions that address the risks and opportunities presented by climate change. TPR was pleased with how many schemes had integrated climate into their existing governance structures. TPR recognised the importance of educating trustee boards on climate issues, and praised the boards that had undertaken a gap analysis to identify specific areas where further training was needed.
It is a requirement for TCFD reports to explain how trustees ensure that the advice they receive, and those taking decisions on their behalf, take climate-related risks into account appropriately. TPR felt that this aspect of the reports sometimes fell below the required standard. For example, how are trustees assessing the competence and knowledge of in-house teams? And are trustees considering the abilities in this area of their actuarial and covenant advisers as well as their investment adviser?
Our view: Most trustees have taken positive first steps in educating themselves on climate change and the associated risks before preparing their first TCFD report. This is a complex and fast-changing area and we encourage trustees to keep their knowledge on climate matters up to date. It is also essential that trustees ask advisers to demonstrate their credentials on climate matters and explain how these issues are integrated into their advice. We are already seeing trustee boards making climate and wider Environmental, Social and Governance factors a key metric in decision-making on the choice of advisers and providers, for example, when selecting a bulk annuity provider.
Conclusion
A key requirement for any well-run scheme is to have robust processes in place to identify, assess, manage and monitor risks and it's crucial that this now includes climate-related risks. Adjustments (for example, on responsibility for the assessment, management and reporting of climate-related risks on an ongoing basis) could potentially be made to existing processes alongside governance reviews in response to TPR's upcoming new General Code of Practice. Climate-related risks and the implications for the scheme's assets, liabilities and sponsors are some of the key risks to consider. Schemes that recognise this will be best placed to take advantage of the opportunities that arise along the path to a low carbon future. Part two of this series will cover the strategy, scenario analysis and risk management sections of the TCFD reports, which have provided considerable food for thought for many trustee boards.
Footnotes
1. Climate reports prepared following the Occupational Pension Schemes (Climate Change Governance and Reporting) Regulations 2021, which were based on the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
2. Source: Massive gas expansion risks overtaking positive climate policies, Climate Action Tracker.
3. Source: a id="footnote-ref-3" href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abn7950" target="_blank">Exceeding 1.5°C global warming could trigger multiple climate tipping points, Science.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.