- On track to achieve operational carbon neutrality in 2021

Barings, one of the world's leading investment managers, today announced it 
would achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in operations by 2030, 
with plans to fully offset emissions beginning in 2021 and implement reduction 
programs over the remaining period. Barings also unveiled key steps in its 
roadmap to long-term sustainability.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1573331/Roadmap_NetZero.jpg 
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/722786/Barings_Logo.jpg

"Helping build a sustainable future in service to our clients, colleagues and 
communities is core to our mission and good for the long-term growth and 
profitability of our business," said Mike Freno, Barings Chairman and CEO. 

Barings has been committed to achieving environmental and social operational 
targets for many years. With this announcement, it is setting out the path to 
achieve net zero in its global operations by 2030. 

"While we will need to utilize carbon offsets to achieve neutrality in 2021, 
our true focus is on changing the behaviors of our employees and partners that 
will allow us to achieve our net zero target," said Sarah Munday, Barings 
Director of Sustainability. "For instance, we intend to set an internal tax on 
carbon for air travel by the third quarter of this year and hope to expand that 
to other carbon generating areas of our business in the coming years."

Munday said Barings embraces transparency as a core value and will publish 
progress on its journey to Net Zero, working from a 2019 baseline of 21,688 
tons of GHG overall or 10.83 tons per employee. "Only through rigorous 
measurement and reporting will we achieve accountability that drives real 
change," she said. 

Other milestones on the road to reduction include moving all facilities which 
we manage to renewable energy sources, targeting 100% reduction in Scope 1 and 
2 emissions by 2022.   

Progress towards its GHG reduction targets will be tracked and communicated 
through annual, public reporting aligned with global reporting standards. The 
company's commitments were developed in coordination with parent company 
MassMutual, which published its Net Zero targets earlier this year, and align 
with Article 4.9 of the Paris Agreement. Barings is working actively to support 
MassMutual's climate commitments of being operational net zero by 2030 and GIA 
net zero by 2050.

Barings has been a signatory of the UN's Principles for Responsible Investment 
(PRI) since 2014, a member of Climate Action 100+ since 2019, and is a public 
supporter of the TCFD and member of the UN Global Compact. 

These commitments expand upon the company's existing sustainability activities. 
For instance, Barings Global Technology and Operations team has already reduced 
the firm's European data center footprint by 74% and the Barings London office 
operates on 100% renewable energy and green gas. In addition:

    -- Barings' London office was awarded the IWFM Positive Climate Action 
       award in 2020 for their evidence-based application, showcasing 11 
       environmentally impactful initiatives that had been implemented since 
       moving into the 20 Old Bailey office space in 2018. The office received 
       a BREEAM Excellent rating for both the pre-design and fit-out stages of 
       the construction process and was awarded ISO 14001 certification 
       in 2021. 
    -- In New York city, Barings' office building at 340 Madison is Energy 
       Star and Fitwel certified, and was the recipient of the 2021 Fitwel 
       Best in Building Health award. 
    -- Barings global headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina is certified 
       LEED Gold for Interior Design and Construction. The building, 300 South 
       Tryon, is also LEED Gold Certified for Core and Shell, Energy Star 
       certified, and is pursuing Fitwel certification and LEED Gold for 
       Operations and Maintenance.  

You can learn more about Barings' sustainability policy and practice at 
https://www.barings.com/about-us/investing-responsibly/. You can view a video 
of Barings Director of Sustainability Sarah Munday discussing Barings' 
Operational Net Zero commitment at 
https://www.barings.com/viewpoints/the-road-to-net-zero.

About Barings
Barings is a $326+ billion* global investment manager sourcing differentiated 
opportunities and building long-term portfolios across public and private fixed 
income, real estate, and specialist equity markets. With investment 
professionals based in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, the firm, a 
subsidiary of MassMutual, aims to serve its clients, communities and employees, 
and is committed to sustainable practices and responsible investment. Learn 
more at www.barings.com.

*Assets under management as of March 31, 2021

Contact: Cheryl Krauss
         Barings
         +1-980-417-5858
         Cheryl.Krauss@barings.com 

SOURCE : Barings