
Short Term
Within the next one to five years, we expect regulation and policy to be the predominant climate-
related risks facing the business. These are managed under the Level 2 Compliance Risk and will
primarily be driven by changes in the pension industry regulatory regime and continuously evolving
policy actions. Associated legal risks will also increase, as the expertise and resource needed to meet
increasing climate-related regulatory, mitigation, and adaptation demands also rises.
In time, we also expect increased opportunities through greater capital availability driven by demand
from investors for more sustainable investment products, as is evidenced by the launch of our newest
Impact Plan, as well as increases in public-sector incentives such as the Business Climate Challenge
Programme from the Mayor of London Office.
Medium Term
In the next five to ten years, climate-related risks will focus more on the potential market and
reputational risks associated with indirect exposure to high-emitting sectors through investee
companies or sectors otherwise exposed to climate risk. This will be managed under the Level 2
Liability Risk and addressed through the asset managers.
Over this time horizon, opportunities will develop as the market grows. We will continue to monitor
consumer trends, which currently point towards increased demands for low-carbon products. We
will proactively seek the views of our customer base through regular engagement to make sure the
investment plans continue to meet our customers’ needs, and access new markets where appropriate.
Long Term
Over the next 10 to 30 years, which comprises our longer-term horizon, we recognise that there are
difficulties in accurately predicting the specific market, policy or environmental context in which our
business will operate. As a pension provider interested in the long-term financial performance of our
investments, the exposure of our investee companies to both Climate Risk and climate opportunity is
of great importance.
We do expect to see an increased Level 2 Business Continuity and Third Party Supplier Risk through
business interruption and damage across operations and supply chains, with consequences for input
costs, revenues, asset values and insurance claims. Crucially, the amount of assets which may be
stranded may rise, the longer the transition to net zero is delayed. However, over this time horizon
we also see a significant opportunity to be seen as a leader in our field, in addressing the challenges
of climate change, through our products and services, resilience and risk management strategy.
Leadership will be shown in the field of addressing the challenges of climate change through both
our asset base (choice of investment plans), our corporate citizenship (strong ESG ratings) and our
voting record (on environmental issues).
2.2 Impact on the Business
Of the key climate-related risks identified with the greatest potential to impact our business, all have
had some impact on the organisation’s business, strategy, or financial planning.
As evidenced through our stakeholder engagement, climate-related issues are important for our
customers and have therefore impacted the products offered by the business. Minimising Liability
Risk in our investment portfolio, resulting from changes in climate-sensitive investment exposures,
or from failure to communicate our climate change strategy and targets, is a priority for the business
and our customers.
The Tailored Plan, our largest plan by customers and assets, is fully screened for thermal coal. We also
introduced the Fossil Fuel Free Plan in response to data from customer surveys that highlighted a
preference to exclude fossil fuel producers fully. The Fossil Fuel Free Plan screens out companies with
proven or probable fossil fuel reserves and companies that provide services to the fossil fuel industry.
The index is overweighting (more money being directed towards) companies that are better prepared
for the transition to a low carbon economy, as per the Transition Pathway Initiative methodology. The
Fossil Fuel Free plan tracks the FTSE All-World TPI Transition ex Fossil Fuel ex Tobacco ex Controversies
Index. Our intention is to increase baseline screens in all our screenable plans over time, and we have
a commitment from our asset managers to do so as the products become available.
As trillions of pounds are invested in companies that can improve or harm the planet and society
through their business models, pensions have the collective power and potential to change the world
for the better. By applying baseline ESG exclusionary screens, where both the asset class and the plan
investment objectives allow it, we are working with our asset managers to reduce our holdings in
companies that harm the environment through their business activities. In addition to the baseline
screens, we are reducing our overall exposure to thermal coal over time. Our full set of Company
policies are reviewed annually and include elements of the Environmental, Social and Governance
Policy, which can be found on the Company’s website.
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Beyond our products and services, we have also taken steps in our direct operations to reduce waste
and increase our use of renewable electricity, as well as reducing energy use through our participation
in the Mayor of London’s Business Climate Challenge, as well as adopting our Responsible Supplier
Policy and Code of Conduct.
2.3 Resilience of PensionBee Strategy to Climate Change
PensionBee has a relatively small environmental footprint, being an office-based organisation that
primarily uses cloud-based technology. We offer fully flexible/remote working to all employees and are
a paperless pension provider. The focus of our efforts in FY23 will be to gain a better understanding of
105. www.pensionbee.com/investor-relations/esg
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2022
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Strategic Report