Kiran Aziz, Head of Responsible Investments, KLP

HOW DID YOU GET INTO IMPACT INVESTING?

I have always been driven by actual impact. And with my background as a lawyer, where you learn about protecting rights and seeking justice, the path was already set. Since my graduation, I have worked with corporate responsibility as it is a good combination of a purpose about improving responsible practices, but at the same time, I enjoy the commercial aspects of businesses. After some years as a lawyer – I decided to join academics. I gained interest in investments through a research program where I conducted research on how institutional investors such as KLP work with responsible practices for tax and transparency towards the investee companies.

IS THERE ONE THEME WITHIN THE SDGS THAT YOU SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFY OR SYMPATHIZE WITH?

I would say a holistic approach is important. We are dependent on all SDGs in order to proceed towards a responsible and sustainable future.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR THE FIELD OF IMPACT INVESTING, CURRENTLY?

The biggest challenge would be that measurability as an impact measurement is vital, finding the balance between generating returns and making a positive social and environmental impact. At the same time, I am convinced that impact investing is something that can tackle the world’s problems. It requires that one looks beyond the operations of a business and assesses the good or harm caused by its products or services.

WHAT DO YOU IDENTIFY AS AN INVESTMENT TREND THIS YEAR?

The investment trend this year would be to pay much more attention to nature risk and biodiversity. We need to protect nature and reverse the degradation of ecosystems as the UN biodiversity agreement is expected this year. In addition, a lot of investors would take geopolitical risk more into consideration in relation to investments.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU IN WHAT YOU ARE DOING ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?

The engagement with investee companies all over the world, stakeholders and media, and I gain special motivation when companies can show positive progress. KLP are quite broad invested in over 7000 companies in 70 countries, and you have the opportunity to engage with a very diverse group of people with different backgrounds and cultures. And at the same time securing the future pensions for KLPs one million members. There is never a boring moment in this job, that’s why I enjoy it so much.