European asset managers face dilemmas over ESG priorities, including nuclear energy and military investments, according to the debut edition of the Funds Europe Asset Managers’ Carbon Impact Research Report.

The report shed light on the challenges of integrating debatable issues like nuclear energy and military investments into ESG portfolios.

On nuclear energy, firms expressed a range of opinions, underscoring its controversial status in ESG investing. Several respondents acknowledged its role in reducing carbon emissions and advancing energy transition goals. As one firm stated: “Nuclear energy has a part to play in the energy transition and decarbonising to net zero by 2050.” Another firm, while excluding nuclear from some portfolios, revealed it is reconsidering this stance in light of the EU’s inclusion of nuclear as an eligible activity under the EU Taxonomy.

However, the risks associated with nuclear power, particularly in the context of climate change, remain a sticking point for others. One firm cited the increasing unpredictability of physical climate risks as a challenge for nuclear power generation. These perspectives highlight the industry’s struggle to reconcile nuclear’s low-carbon benefits with its potential downsides.

When asked how the Ukraine-Russia conflict has shaped their views on including weapons in ESG portfolios, asset managers revealed similarly divided positions. While the majority maintain exclusion policies for controversial weapons, defense, and nuclear stocks, some are open to reevaluating these restrictions. Only one asset management firm has acknowledged that some of its funds allow military equipment. Most firms have explicitly stated that defence and nuclear stocks and controversial weapons are excluded from their portfolio. However, some are open to rethinking their stance based on how things change over time.

Some firms pointed to investor interest in the defence sector as a factor driving this reconsideration. However, challenges like the defence industry’s complexity and alignment with state interests complicate engagement efforts. Others emphasised human rights concerns and global disarmament, reaffirming their commitment to exclusion policies in line with international treaties.

The responses show asset managers are grappling not just with the details of ESG investing but also with its deeper purpose.