Climate change is a major issue for the economy, societies and the environment. As a long-term investor, CNP Assurances works to support the economy in a low-carbon transition and protect its portfolios from climate risks.

A long-term commitment

Since 2006, we have implemented a global approach to responsible investment, adapted to each type of asset and regularly strengthened.  

2006

First “best-in-class ”  ESG integration for the equity portfolio

2011

Signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) 

2015

First climate strategy with quantified targets Signing of the PRI’s Montreal Pledge 
First coal policy 

2016 et 2017

Commitment to the CDP 
Member of Climate Action 100+ 

2019

Commitment to achieving a carbon-neutral investment portfolio by 2050 
Member of the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance1 (NZAOA) 

2020 à 2022

Support for the TCFD 
Adoption of a coal exit plan 
Strengthening of fossil fuel exclusions 

2023 à 2026

New decarbonisation targets for end-2029 
Membership of the Forum for Responsible Investment (FIR) 
Publication of a green investment target 

Clear and measurable climate commitments

As part of the NZAOA, CNP Assurances undertakes to: 

  • Reduce the carbon footprint of the investment portfolio:
    -53% for directly-held equity, corporate bonds and infrastructure portfolios between 2019 and 2029, 
    -32% for the real estate portfolio held directly, through club deals or via majority-owned funds by the end of 2029. 
  • Dialogue with companies and asset management firms:
    Encourage companies and management companies to align with a 1.5°C trajectory, 
    Objective: carbon neutrality by 2050, with credible intermediate targets.
  • Investing heavily in the transition:
    €33 billion invested in the transition by the end of 2025
    €10 billion in new green investment flows by the end of 2030.  

A strategy based on three pillars

1. Exclude the most climate-incompatible business activities 

We exclude from our investments the most climate risk-exposed companies and projects, including: 

  • Thermal coal: exclusion of companies heavily dependent on coal or developing new coal projects 
  • Fossil oil and gas: exclusion of any new investment in companies exploring or developing new fossil-fuel projects. We make highly regulated exceptions for projects clearly dedicated to the transition (renewable energy, green bonds) 


2. Act as a responsible shareholder  

CNP Assurances uses its voting rights at general meetings to defend credible climate strategies on the part of the companies in which it is a shareholder. 

  • The criteria for this support are strict and transparent. 

For example, our Group opposes TotalEnergies’ “Say on Climate” resolutions, believing that the company’s strategy remains overly dependent on oil and gas. We believe that the company’s strategy is insufficiently aligned to a 1.5°C scenario, particularly as concerns indirect emissions. 

  • In addition, we engage with companies and management companies to encourage ambitious and socially responsible transition trajectories. 

To find out more: download the CNP Assurances shareholder engagement policy 


3. Select investments according to demanding ESG criteria

Our investment decisions incorporate the principles of the United Nations Global Compact, including the fight against climate change. We apply these ESG criteria across all major asset classes. 

For example, the ESG selection/integration strategy for all the listed equities and bonds of directly-held companies is based in particular on the “GREaT” rating. GREaT is an ESG rating that measures the commitment and responsibility of investments on four key pillars, one of which relates to the energy transition. The aim with this pillar is to assess the management of transition risks and physical risks as well as the contribution to the energy transition.

To find out more: download the CNP Assurances Responsible Investment Report 

Green investments central to the transition

Green investments are key to financing the energy transition and managing transition risk. We finance: 

  • renewable energies, 
  • sustainable mobility, 
  • sustainable real estate, 
  • forests, water and waste treatment. 

This translates into investments in: 

  • private equity funds: eco-energy, cleantech, eco-industry, 
  • in green and sustainable bonds to finance projects supporting the ecological transition,
  • renewable energy infrastructure and environmental solutions.
1  Launched in September 2019 at the United Nations Climate Action Summit, the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance brings together insurers and pension funds that are committed to carbon neutrality in their investment portfolios by 2050.