Despite challenges facing sustainability investing, 2025 to 2026 highlight a pivotal shift in Asia-Pacific finance, where decarbonization and intergenerational equity now drive institutional strategy.

As sustainable investing matures from compliance to alpha-generation, leaders like Robeco navigate complex regional transitions. Simultaneously, pension giants like National Pension Service (NPS) of Korea and Taiwan’s Private School Faculties Service Pension Fund (PSFSPF) are redefining stewardship, leveraging aggressive tech allocations and diversified alternatives to secure long-term retirement stability.

SUSTAINABLE INVESTING LEADERSHIP AWARD

Robeco

Robeco is the hands-down winner of The Asset's 2026 Sustainable Investing Leadership Award for Asia-Pacific for its pioneering integration of ESG principles, innovative transition strategies, and measurable real-world impact tailored to the region's unique dynamics.

Since pioneering sustainable investing in 1995, Robeco has consistently demonstrated leadership. It topped ShareAction’s Responsible Investment Benchmark for the third time in 2025, earning the highest A-grade among 76 global asset managers with a 76% score. This reflects its rigorous, science-based approach that goes far beyond compliance.

In Asia-Pacific, the asset manager has expanded its footprint with targeted products such as the Robeco Sustainable Asian Stars Equities strategy, which aims for a 20% lower carbon footprint and superior ESG characteristics relative to benchmarks, while the Transition Asian Bonds strategy prioritizes lower-emission issuers and those that enable the energy transition. These offerings capitalize on Asia’s leadership in renewables, AI, smart grids, and distributed solar, generating alpha while driving sustainability.

Robeco’s proprietary Climate Analytics toolbox, including its “traffic light” methodology and Sector Decarbonization Pathways, enables precise identification of credible transition leaders. In 2024-2025, it launched new equity and fixed income strategies focused on emerging markets and Asia, broadening access to climate-conscious investing.

Its emphasis on “Just Transition” and social themes, such as human rights and inclusive growth, addresses the “S” in ESG, which is often overlooked in the region.

Active ownership amplifies this impact. Robeco engages hundreds of companies annually through voting and dialogue, closing a high percentage of cases successfully. Its focus on Asia’s transition journey – rather than rigid net-zero targets – aligns perfectly with regional needs, where high-emitting sectors require investment to evolve.

Clients and peers recognize Robeco’s consistent excellence, including multiple awards for ESG distribution and innovation. By delivering superior returns alongside genuine sustainability outcomes, Robeco sets the benchmark for responsible investing in Asia-Pacific. It earns the 2026 Leadership Award through proven expertise, regional relevance, and unwavering commitment to a sustainable future.

As part of the Sustainable Investing Leadership Award, the “Robeco Smart Energy Strategy” is also recognized as the leading sustainable fund for its exceptional alignment of impact and performance. As an SFDR Article 9 fund, it targets the full decarbonization of the global energy value chain – investing in renewables, smart grids, storage, electrification, and efficiency solutions across transportation, buildings, and data centres.

With over 90% sustainable investments and rigorous ESG integration, the firm delivers credible real-world decarbonization while generating strong alpha. In 2025, it posted robust YTD returns amid energy-transition tailwinds, backed by a proven multi-year track record and active ownership.

Its forward-looking approach positions it as the benchmark for thematic sustainable investing.

INVESTOR OF THE YEAR, ASIA

National Pension Service (NPS) of Korea

The National Pension Service (NPS) of Korea stands out as the clear choice for Pension Fund of the Year in Asia-Pacific. As the world’s third-largest public pension fund, NPS delivered an extraordinary performance that combined record-breaking returns, robust asset growth, and strategic foresight in a volatile global environment.

In 2025, NPS achieved a provisional almost 19% return (money-weighted), generating a staggering 231.6 trillion won (US$160 billion) in investment gains – 4.7 times its annual pension payouts. Some estimates placed the return near 20%, eclipsing the prior record of 15% set in 2024.

This marked the third consecutive year of record performance, driven by strong domestic equities (up 78%), particularly in semiconductors and AI, alongside solid 25% gains in foreign stocks. Assets swelled to approximately 1,458-1,540 trillion won (US$1.02-1.1 trillion) by early 2026, with cumulative investment income now surpassing contributions.

Beyond raw returns, NPS demonstrated disciplined diversification into alternatives (including a notable 30% jump in private equity AUM) and continued responsible investment practices, incorporating ESG factors while maintaining long-term stability.

Its cumulative annualized return since 1988 exceeds 8%, underscoring prudent stewardship for its over 22 million participants.

In a year when many regional peers faced headwinds, NPS’s scale, agility in capitalizing on tech-driven rallies, risk management, and unwavering commitment to intergenerational equity set a new benchmark. Awarding NPS Pension Fund of the Year recognizes not just exceptional 2025 results, but its pivotal role in securing Korea’s economic future.

INVESTOR OF THE YEAR, TAIWAN

Private School Faculties Service Pension Fund

The Private School Faculties Service Pension Fund (PSFSPF) is Taiwan’s first open-architecture self-directed retirement platform that commits to driving innovation in retirement planning, investment strategies, and service offerings to provide Taiwan’s private school educators with a comprehensive and efficient pension system.

PSFSPF currently offers its participants three diversified investment portfolio options: conservative, steady, and aggressive, whose AUM in 2025 increased by 8.02%, 9.3%, and 17% year on year, respectively. All portfolios have exposure to both Taiwan and global markets to capture return-enhancing opportunities.

Throughout most of 2025, the fund maintained a relatively higher allocation to equity investments, which contributed to both portfolio returns and overall asset growth. Despite facing global challenges such as US interest rate hikes, the Russia-Ukraine war, and trade policy uncertainties, the fund has consistently delivered stable and competitive investment results.

Through these efforts, the fund aims not only to enhance the retirement security of private school educators but also to contribute to the long-term sustainability of Taiwan’s retirement system and serve as a benchmark institution for pension fund management in Asia.

Please click here for the full list of winners,

To learn more about these awards please go here. 

To join the in-person annual celebratory dinner in Hong Kong on June 30, 2026, please contact us at celebrate@theasset.com.