Make My Money Matter (MMMM) has teamed up with Count Us In and announced the launch of the Green Pensions Charter, which will campaign to ensure pensions are invested more sustainably.

The charter will see 50 initial member companies, including major brands and organisations such as IKEA, EY, Octopus Group, Brewdog, TED, WWF and Oxfam, work with their pension providers or trustees to secure a green pension and support the growing call for all providers to commit to net-zero emission targets in the lead up to COP26.

The group of initial signees even includes football club Forest Green Rovers, who have taken the further step of ensuring that their pensions do not invest in industries that harm the planet.

MMMM said the campaign was calling on all businesses across the UK to sign up to the Green Pensions Charter and harness the power of their company pension schemes in the fight against climate change.

MMMM co-founder, Richard Curtis, said: “The launch of the world’s first Green Pensions Charter brings together a pioneering mix of brands, organisations and even football teams all of whom have one thing in common – a commitment to make their money matter.

“This charter supports the growing demand across society for pensions we can be proud of, and acts as a critical reminder to the industry that the £2.6trn circulating in UK pension schemes must be invested in ways which build a healthy planet, as well as deliver healthy returns.

“With a UK hosted COP26 on the horizon, we hope our charter encourages companies to follow in the footsteps of IKEA, EY and Octopus Energy to green their pensions, and show the pensions industry that their customers want them to take serious action on the climate crisis.”

Count Us In leadership, Eric Levine, noted that “billions could be directed towards clean energy, affordable housing, medical research and green infrastructure” if companies simply “aligned their pensions with their values”.

He continued: “This collective call to action will drive change from the heart of the economy – finance – and deliver long-term results. We're excited by the large uptake of the charter, which clearly indicates a society-wide demand for a cleaner, thriving future for all – and we look forward to welcoming more signatories in this commitment.”

Forest Green Rovers chairman, Dr Dale Vince OBE, said: “Money makes the world go round and we get to choose where ours goes when we make a spending decision. One of the biggest decisions we all make is where to invest our pension - so it’s very important we all repurpose the pension industry and make sure it invests our money in better outcomes that protect the future of our planet.”

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