Responsible Investment News and Views - Q4 2025

In this quarter's Responsible Investment News and Views, we're exploring stewardship in artificial intelligence (AI).

Artificial intelligence is transforming the investment landscape and environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations. While the potential environmental impacts deserve detailed analysis, this article focuses on the social risks and related governance challenges that AI presents, and how stewardship can be used to address them.

In this edition, our experts answer the questions: 

• What are the social and governance risks of AI?
• What should ‘good’ AI governance look like?
• How can stewardship be used effectively?

Significant votes

In the significant votes section, our experts bring AI into focus highlighting the reasons why the responsible use of AI, AI ethics and transparency is a growing area of concern for investors that made its way onto the ballot over 2025.

ESG snippets 

In the ESG snippets, they cover a variety of topics, such as: 

• Delays to The European Union’s implementation of its deforestation regulation.
• The High Seas Treaty, an international agreement to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in the areas of ocean beyond national jurisdiction, will become law in January.
• The recent closure of the government's consultation on climate-related transition plans. Although it's still reviewing responses, there’s a clear direction of travel towards mandating UK asset owners, including pension schemes, to develop and implement credible, action-oriented plans to support the climate transition.

You can download the full publication below: 

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If you have any questions, on anything covered in this publication please get in touch. 

Important information
This communication has been compiled by Hymans Robertson LLP, and is based upon their understanding of events as at 10 December 2025 and therefore may be subject to change. This publication is designed to be a general summary of topical investment issues and is not specific to the circumstances of any particular employer or pension scheme. The information contained herein is not to be construed as advice and should not be considered a substitute for specific advice in relation to individual circumstances. Where the subject of this note refers to legal matters please note that Hymans Robertson LLP is not qualified to give legal advice therefore we recommend that you seek legal advice. Hymans Robertson LLP accepts no liability for errors or omissions. Your Hymans Robertson LLP consultant will be pleased to discuss any issue in greater detail.