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Top asset owners’ US$23 trillion the real key to unlocking net zero

November 23, 2021

Investments
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ASIA, November 23, 2021 - The world’s 100 largest asset owners (AO100) grew by 15.7% last year to reach US$23.5 trillion, according to new research from the Thinking Ahead Institute (TAI). Pension funds remain the single biggest group of asset owners globally accounting for 58.1% of assets, followed by sovereign wealth funds (34.7%) and Outsourced Chief Investment Officers (OCIOs) and Master Trusts combined (7.2%).

Roger Urwin, co-founder of the Thinking Ahead Institute, commented: “This relatively small group of investors are right on the front line of the investment community’s fight to become net zero, and their power is even more concentrated among the top 20, which are responsible for nearly US$13 trillion.”

According to the research, there are three accredited net zero committed organisations in the top 20 and only 14 in the top 100.

Jayne Bok, Head of Investments, Asia at Willis Towers Watson, said: “Over US$8.3 trillion is concentrated within the top 20 APAC asset owners, making it a hugely impactful sum of capital to be used for positive change. Leading APAC asset owners have the power to drive change in the investments industry and hold the keys and the pathways to net zero. By thinking about the investment ecosystem* as a whole, and collaborating across it, this group can have even greater impact than their large asset size implies.”

Roger Urwin said: “While the pledges from Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) organisations are critical, the largest asset owners hold the ‘keys to the castle’. Their allocations, ownership muscle and trickle-down influence will be important in opening the door to net zero pathways. But to successfully manage the complexity and challenges of sustainable investment and net zero pathways, asset owners will need to develop enhanced governance and investment sophistication. The Glasgow COP summit has highlighted how asset owners can work together as part of a wider collaboration framework to produce better long-term outcomes for the whole system.”

According to the research, the development of systems-leadership** practices – those that acknowledge the size and interconnectedness of the climate challenge – will support much-needed innovation and collective action. However, asset owners will need to face up to and overcome numerous impediments, including narrow interpretations of fiduciary standards, that have pushed them to maintain established practices.

Roger Urwin added: “The research highlights how some asset owner groups have attempted to overcome these impediments by ‘maturing’ their governance, investment and sustainability models and revamping their organisational purpose. As part of this they have built their capacity to innovate in readiness for the imminent transformational change,and other asset owners should take note.”

The new research also covers other key themes for asset owners to address, which include:

  • Lower future expected returns driving funds to adapt their investment model
  • Broader stakeholder management becoming a much bigger task to address
  • Diminishing reliance on the networks of external asset managers
  • A rise in regulatory requirements as a factor influencing their practices, particularly in ESG and stewardship

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Jayne Bok continued: “Lower future expected returns has been a challenge in Asia as well. With rates in many Asian countries now at their lowest levels, the need to work the portfolio harder is really coming to the fore. At the same time, Asia is now catching up on ESG practices and climate issues are now front and center for most Asian funds. We expect this trend to continue. The challenges that asset owners face are therefore immensely broad and deep. We are concerned that the resources will be stretched by having so many strands to cover. The need for a clear-eyed strategy has never been more important.”

Roger Urwin added: “This is a defining moment for asset owners and it’s decision time. They can stay in their narrow mandates or step up with a systems-leadership mindset to play a galvanising industry role that unleashes a torrent of net zero aligned capital.”

Top 20 APAC asset owners (in US$ million)

Top 20 APAC asset owners (in US$ million)

1 As of February 28, 2021
2 As of September 30, 2020
3 Estimate
4 As of March 31, 2021

Global Rank Organisation Country Total Assets Primary Category
1 Government Pension Investment Japan $1,719,987 Pension Fund
3 China Investment Corporation1 China $1,045,720 SWF
5 SAFE Investment Company China $817,000 SWF
6 National Pension South Korea $765,446 Pension Fund
10 GIC Private Limited Singapore $550,000 SWF
11 Hong Kong Monetary Authority Investment Portfolio Hong Kong $517,000 SWF
12 National Social Security3 China $448,427 Pension Fund
18 Central Provident Fund Singapore $349,787 Pension Fund
22 Temasek Holdings2 Singapore $283,000 SWF
24 Employees Provident Fund Malaysia $248,203 Pension Fund
25 Local Government Officials Japan $248,094 Pension Fund
32 Employees' Provident3 India $193,801 Pension Fund
35 Korea Investment Corporation South Korea $183,100 SWF
39 BLF Taiwan $177,000 Pension Fund
42 Future Fund Management Agency Australia $168,000 SWF
46 AustralianSuper Australia $156,265 Pension Fund
53 Pension Fund Association4 Japan $121,292 Pension Fund
58 National Federation of Mutual Aid Japan $118,015 Pension Fund
59 MPFA Hong Kong $115,000 Pension Fund
63 Aware Super Australia $106,947 Pension Fund

Notes to editors

*The investment ecosystem is defined by the network of organisations and stakeholders that connect the investment industry and the technologies, forces and value chains that drive their inter-actions

**Systems-leadership is defined by efforts to collaborate and find joint solutions to common problems based on an understanding that everything connects and incentives and behaviours matter.


The Thinking Ahead Institute’s Asset Owner 100: The most influential capital on the planet research can be found here.

The Thinking Ahead Institute definition of ‘asset owners’ is that they:

  • Work directly for a defined group of beneficiaries/savers/investors as the manager of their assets in a fiduciary capacity (upholding loyalty and prudence) under delegated responsibility
  • Work with a sponsoring entity, usually a government or part thereof, company or not-for-profit
  • Work within explicit law and possess an implicit societal license to operate because of their societal trust and legitimacy
  • Deliver mission-specific outcomes to beneficiaries and stakeholders in the form of various payments or benefits

About the Thinking Ahead Institute

The Thinking Ahead Institute was established in January 2015 and is a global not-for-profit investment research and innovation member group made up of engaged institutional asset owners and service providers committed to mobilising capital for a sustainable future. It has over 50 members around the world and is an outgrowth of the Thinking Ahead Group which was set up in 2002. Learn more at www.thinkingaheadinstitute.org.

About Willis Towers Watson

Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW) is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has 45,000 employees serving more than 140 countries and markets. We design and deliver solutions that manage risk, optimize benefits, cultivate talent, and expand the power of capital to protect and strengthen institutions and individuals. Our unique perspective allows us to see the critical intersections between talent, assets and ideas – the dynamic formula that drives business performance. Together, we unlock potential.

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