Environment

Aon pumps half a billion into climate transition investment fund

Denis Lyons, the head of investment at Aon, said the fund will provide clarity for investors and strong long-term financial returns

Denis Lyons, the head of investment at Aon Ireland, said that investors increasingly want to support the transition to a low-carbon economy and ‘make a positive social impact’. Picture: Fennell Photography

Aon, the professional services giant, will invest €500 million in a climate transition fund in Ireland, the company has announced.

The insurance and consulting firm, in partnership with Irish Life Investment Managers (ILIM), will make an initial investment of €330 million into the fund, aimed at companies that are working to achieve the United Nation’s (UN) sustainable development goals relating to climate action, resource scarcity, healthy ecosystems and basic social needs.

The investment strategy will use environmental data to help business decarbonise in line with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) 1.5°C warming limit and goal of reaching net-zero global emissions by 2050.