Standard Life has adopted Sustainability Improvers labelling, part of the FCA’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements regime, for customers invested in its Future Advantage fund range.
In December 2024, the group announced that having received the regulatory green light it intended to be the first mainstream provider to adopt Sustainability Improvers labelling to promote high standards in sustainable investing, integrity and transparency.
Since then, it has undertaken its labelling, creating what is believed to be the industry’s first multi asset fund range that broadly aligns to the Sustainability Improvers label.
Standard Life is also investing in these labels across its pension defaults offered to workplace and retirement income customers using Investment Pathways.
It follows research from Standard Life that found 79% of intermediaries’ advised clients expect their pension provider to be investing responsibly on their behalf.
Warren Bright, head of retail intermediary and private client distribution at Standard Life, said: “With our Future Advantage solution targeting a sustainability objective, our approach is intended to improve investment outcomes while providing high levels of transparency through enhanced disclosures. It’s an iterative process where we expect future developments to be part and parcel of our focus.
“In line with the Sustainability Improvers label, our underlying funds are being invested mainly in transitioning companies. We’re optimising outcomes: enhancing how we manage climate-related risks and opportunities, while establishing a more explicit alignment towards net zero by 2050.
“The changes we are making are explicitly designed to deliver good investment outcomes and allow advisers to access responsible investment options on behalf of their clients. These evolved component funds are designed to give broad market returns.”
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