PR90545

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 14, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

- On track to achieve operational carbon neutrality in 2021

Barings, one of the world's leading investment managers, today announced it

would achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in operations by 2030,

with plans to fully offset emissions beginning in 2021 and implement reduction

programs over the remaining period. Barings also unveiled key steps in its

roadmap to long-term sustainability.

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"Helping build a sustainable future in service to our clients, colleagues and

communities is core to our mission and good for the long-term growth and

profitability of our business," said Mike Freno, Barings Chairman and CEO.

Barings has been committed to achieving environmental and social operational

targets for many years. With this announcement, it is setting out the path to

achieve net zero in its global operations by 2030.

"While we will need to utilize carbon offsets to achieve neutrality in 2021,

our true focus is on changing the behaviors of our employees and partners that

will allow us to achieve our net zero target," said Sarah Munday, Barings

Director of Sustainability. "For instance, we intend to set an internal tax on

carbon for air travel by the third quarter of this year and hope to expand that

to other carbon generating areas of our business in the coming years."

Munday said Barings embraces transparency as a core value and will publish

progress on its journey to Net Zero, working from a 2019 baseline of 21,688

tons of GHG overall or 10.83 tons per employee. "Only through rigorous

measurement and reporting will we achieve accountability that drives real

change," she said.

Other milestones on the road to reduction include moving all facilities which

we manage to renewable energy sources, targeting 100% reduction in Scope 1 and

2 emissions by 2022.  

Progress towards its GHG reduction targets will be tracked and communicated

through annual, public reporting aligned with global reporting standards. The

company's commitments were developed in coordination with parent company

MassMutual, which published its Net Zero targets earlier this year, and align

with Article 4.9 of the Paris Agreement. Barings is working actively to support

MassMutual's climate commitments of being operational net zero by 2030 and GIA

net zero by 2050.

Barings has been a signatory of the UN's Principles for Responsible Investment

(PRI) since 2014, a member of Climate Action 100+ since 2019, and is a public

supporter of the TCFD and member of the UN Global Compact.

These commitments expand upon the company's existing sustainability activities.

For instance, Barings Global Technology and Operations team has already reduced

the firm's European data center footprint by 74% and the Barings London office

operates on 100% renewable energy and green gas. In addition:

    -- Barings' London office was awarded the IWFM Positive Climate Action

       award in 2020 for their evidence-based application, showcasing 11

       environmentally impactful initiatives that had been implemented since

       moving into the 20 Old Bailey office space in 2018. The office received

       a BREEAM Excellent rating for both the pre-design and fit-out stages of

       the construction process and was awarded ISO 14001 certification

       in 2021.

    -- In New York city, Barings' office building at 340 Madison is Energy

       Star and Fitwel certified, and was the recipient of the 2021 Fitwel

       Best in Building Health award.

    -- Barings global headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina is certified

       LEED Gold for Interior Design and Construction. The building, 300 South

       Tryon, is also LEED Gold Certified for Core and Shell, Energy Star

       certified, and is pursuing Fitwel certification and LEED Gold for

       Operations and Maintenance.  

You can learn more about Barings' sustainability policy and practice at

https://www.barings.com/about-us/investing-responsibly/. You can view a video

of Barings Director of Sustainability Sarah Munday discussing Barings'

Operational Net Zero commitment at

https://www.barings.com/viewpoints/the-road-to-net-zero.

About Barings

Barings is a $326+ billion* global investment manager sourcing differentiated

opportunities and building long-term portfolios across public and private fixed

income, real estate, and specialist equity markets. With investment

professionals based in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, the firm, a

subsidiary of MassMutual, aims to serve its clients, communities and employees,

and is committed to sustainable practices and responsible investment. Learn

more at www.barings.com.

*Assets under management as of March 31, 2021

Contact: Cheryl Krauss

         Barings

         +1-980-417-5858

         Cheryl.Krauss@barings.com

SOURCE : Barings