#Brazil #São Paulo #PRI #E Fund

PRI in Person 2025: Enhancing Sustainable Investment Strategies

From November 4 to 6, 2025, São Paulo, Brazil, played host to the highly anticipated PRI in Person 2025, organized by the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). This annual gathering represents a pivotal moment for the global community focused on responsible investing, this year themed around 'Global Challenges, Resilient Strategies, Investment Opportunities.' Significantly, it was also recognized as part of the COP30 Business Finance Forum, highlighting its importance in the current sustainability discourse.

The conference welcomed nearly 1,300 attendees from diverse sectors, including regulatory bodies, leading financial institutions, and academia, all united in their quest to fast-track sustainable economic solutions through responsible investing practices. Among the prominent participants was E Fund Management Co., Ltd., a pioneering asset manager from China that has been at the forefront of responsible investment since its early inception in the country. Joining PRI in 2017 as one of the first Chinese institutions, E Fund has been integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) research deeply into its investment strategy. The firm supports Chinese enterprises in enhancing their ESG performances and actively shares insights from its sustainable investment experiences in global forums.

E Fund's participation at the conference was particularly significant as it marked the third consecutive year the organization was invited, reflecting its established reputation as a leading voice in the sustainability space. During the sessions, discussions centered on major themes such as 'Navigating Risk and Unlocking Opportunities in Asia's High Growth Markets.' This critical segment analyzed the sustainability trends and challenges within the Asian region, with a focus on how these elements contribute to global economic expansion.

Representing the Chinese investment sector, Jane Cheng, head of ESG research at E Fund, contributed her insights alongside professionals from firms like Neuberger Berman, Seviora Group, and India's DSP Asset Managers. She highlighted that while Asia's progress in ESG initiatives might have lagged compared to other regions, recent years have seen substantial improvements in regulatory frameworks and innovations. In particular, China has made great strides in ESG-related policies, data accessibility, and the expertise of asset managers, leading to heightened corporate awareness regarding responsible investing practices.

The transition is largely driven by China's commitment to 'Dual Carbon' objectives, aimed at achieving peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality, which has catalyzed a significant shift in the industrial framework towards environmentally friendly, inclusive, and low-carbon developmental paths. This evolving landscape sees asset managers growing from merely academic understanding of ESG concepts to incorporating them into tangible investment decisions. As corporate governance improves, the investment outlook remains optimistic.

Emerging markets are also becoming vital players in the narrative surrounding sustainable development. A notable side event was dedicated to 'Emerging Market Responsible Investment Practice - China and Brazil,' where Wilson Wei, E Fund’s Chief ESG Analyst, moderated a panel featuring representatives from FAIRR, HSBC Asset Management, Itaú Asset Management, and B3 (the Brazilian stock exchange). By leveraging the interconnected supply chains between China and Brazil, the session aimed to merge global insights with local perspectives to identify innovative ESG practices and enhance cross-border collaborations in sustainability.

Additionally, E Fund and Itaú Asset Management released a joint white paper titled 'Responsible Investment in China - Brazil,' outlining recent advancements and practical examples in sustainability frameworks, taxonomy standards, and product guidelines across both countries. This publication underscores the growing synergy and mutual learning opportunities shared between these two major markets.

Overall, PRI in Person 2025 not only facilitated robust discussions on pressing sustainability issues but also cultivated an environment ripe for collaboration and innovation among global investors, policy makers, and industry experts. The event solidified its role as a cornerstone in advancing sustainable investment practices that address today's challenges for a resilient tomorrow.