BlackRock, the world’s largest fund manager, has for a few years been talking about climate change, but taking only limited action. Now that seems to be changing. BlackRock this week announced a new ambition to “put sustainability at the centre of our investment approach”, and a series of specific commitments to implement that strategy. Its new approach does not mean divestment from fossil fuels, except for companies heavily dependent on revenues from thermal coal, but it will mean a profound shift in BlackRock’s involvement with the companies where it invests. In other news, China has agreed to buy $52.4bn worth of ... (full story)