We believe bonds are the foundation of a sustainable global recovery: the bonds that serve as investments and sources of capital, and also the human bonds that endure across communities, between nations, and among industries and investors. These are the bonds from which the world is building a more sustainable future.

In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic has helped focus attention on core issues in ESG (environmental, social, and governance) investing: inclusive economies, healthy communities, safe and equitable workplaces, resilient supply chains, and alternative and cleaner energy. At PIMCO, these and other factors have long been embedded in our research, engagement, and investment decisions.

As we discuss in detail in PIMCO’s annual ESG Investing Report, we believe there is enough global capital to support a more sustainable global economy. To effect meaningful change, however, we need greater alignment among bond issuers, asset owners, and asset managers; all need to focus on achieving healthy and inclusive global growth.

Here, we highlight key takeaways from the report, with a focus on global partnerships and issuer engagement.

Partnerships: setting industry standards and driving market innovation

In order to drive a more globally coordinated sustainability effort, PIMCO contributes to key industry groups and multinational organizations. As one of the world’s leading fixed income investors, we are actively involved in innovating and growing the market for sustainable bonds, and we also advocate for improved climate and other sustainability disclosures. Transitioning the global economy to a more inclusive and lower-carbon future will require trillions of dollars of investment, representing a significant opportunity for investors, particularly in fixed income.

One important partnership is with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) CFO Taskforce for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which engages global CFOs on sustainable development, leveraging the nearly 10,000 companies participating in the UNGC. Scott Mather, CIO overseeing PIMCO’s ESG investing efforts, is co-chair of the taskforce, and in August 2020, PIMCO co-launched the “CFO Principles on Integrated SDG Investments and Finance.”

In the ESG Investing Report, learn more about PIMCO’s involvement with other industry groups, including the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), the International Capital Market Association (ICMA), the One Planet Asset Manager initiative, the Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD) Alliance, the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC), and FAIRR (Farm Animal Investment Risk & Return), and how PIMCO helped advance their goals over the past year.

Bonds for change: issuer engagement

Issuer engagement is a cornerstone of PIMCO’s approach, given the strength and history of our platform. Unlike with stocks, bond issuers come back to the market regularly. Our credit research analysts engage regularly with the companies they cover; their discussions include ESG-related topics such as climate targets, human capital management, and board qualifications and composition, with a focus on positive impact and quantifiable outcomes. In 2020, PIMCO’s credit analysts engaged with more than 1,500 companies around the world on environmental, social, and governance topics. This engagement represents more than 80% of PIMCO’s firmwide holdings of corporate debt.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic dominated many conversations. When engaging with issuers, we often focused on their pandemic-related resilience and responsibility: board and management oversight of COVID response, processes to review and adjust pandemic-related measures for the workforce and business operations, and coordination with suppliers to minimize pandemic-related disruptions.

For in-depth case studies of PIMCO’s ESG engagement with issuers across a range of industries and around the world, please read the ESG Investing Report.

Conclusion

For 50 years, PIMCO’s investment process has been dedicated to helping millions of investors pursue their objectives, regardless of shifting market conditions. We believe ESG integration and sustainable solutions are an essential part of our commitment to delivering on our clients’ objectives while supporting long-term, sustainable economic growth globally. Together with investors, issuers, asset owners, and asset managers, we can help align efforts to bring cohesive and meaningful change even sooner.

You can visit our website dedicated to ESG investment approaches.