What's in a name? Navigating the UK's sustainable fund-labelling regime

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has put simplicity and consumer testing at the centre of its efforts to roll out fund labels to improve transparency of sustainable investment products. For managers that are in the middle of applying labels to their funds, the process has in many ways proved more challenging than first expected – so far, only two funds have publicly announced that they have secured a label. The FCA has recognised this, and this week pushed back the deadline for compliance. In this episode, Responsible Investor senior reporter Dominic Webb talks to deputy editor Elza Holmstedt Pell about how investors are grappling with the process and expectations for the months ahead. Drawing on insights from conversations with key UK investors, the discussion delves deeper into the strategies of early movers, key challenges in applying the labels, but also why many investors, broadly, are happy with the FCA’s approach.