Aviva Investors’ chief responsible investment officer was on the advisory committee that helped create the Principles for Responsible Investment in 2006 — the UN-backed network of financial institutions that promotes environmental, social and governance factors. It was the same year he joined the £221bn asset manager.

In March 2022, Aviva published its first climate transition plan, setting its sights on achieving net zero by 2040, a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s 2050 target.

Waygood says Aviva Investors will own up if it fails to meet that commitment. “It’s something we want to do and put our best foot forward in trying to achieve. But we’re not saying we’re going to do it at all costs no matter what the circumstances are in the future. And if we don’t deliver it, we’ll be very open and honest about that and say why.”