These firms are being recognized for thriving and being leaders in the institutional investing market.

Mirova Winner

Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, “is a conviction-based management company that offers its clients investment solutions combining the search for financial performance with environmental and social impact,” according to its website.

A firm spokesperson tells CIO that the primary driver of its success in sustainable finance has been its strong commitment to integrating environmental, social and governance principles into its investment portfolios. The firm has a dedicated in-house team of 25 ESG experts, which the spokesperson says enables it to effectively identify sustainable opportunities and risks, ensuring long-term value creation that aligns with positive environmental and social impacts.

Mirova has initiated a global database for avoided emissions factors (which quantify gains resulting from lower-carbon solutions), enhancing investment assessments by fostering transparency and comparability in understanding the carbon impact of financial activities.

“Our unwavering dedication to climate adaptation and care for people and the planet, even amidst recent ESG challenges and geopolitical tensions, underscores the innovative spirit that defines our investment philosophy,” the company spokesperson says.

The Mirova Research Center launched in Paris in September 2024, partnering with Columbia University and ENSAE Paris. The MRC concentrates on three key areas:

• Developing new asset-level indicators to understand just transition topics;
• Exploring methods to measure the contribution of investment strategies to sustainable development goals; and
• Reflecting on finance’s role in transitioning to a sustainable economy.

In addition, Mirova has significantly enhanced its use of technology over the past several years and has integrated artificial intelligence-based solutions to optimize portfolio management and ESG analysis, which includes enhancing the reliability of ESG models and collaborating with partners who are already utilizing AI, particularly in the analysis of controversies.

The firm is also supporting academic research initiatives that leverage AI to tackle major challenges in sustainable finance, such as assessing the credibility of companies’ environmental transition plans and ensuring the accuracy of reported physical footprint measurements. AI technologies are also being utilized to manage assets related to forests, renewable energies and sustainable infrastructures, allowing for the deep analysis of large volumes of unstructured data.

Mirova provides clients with quarterly impact reports detailing the portfolio’s contribution to sustainable development goals and key impact measurements. Its annual “Impact Report” provides a comprehensive and transparent overview of how the firm’s strategy has met its sustainability objectives over the past year.

Mirova collaborates with asset owner clients to enhance their understanding of sustainable finance through training programs and shares its expertise and insights gained from the MRC.

Finalists

• Principal Asset Management