Jenn Hui Tan has been Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) at Fidelity International since 2023, and is responsible for integrating sustainability into all areas of the company. With a background in corporate finance and law, he began his career at Norton Rose Fulbright in London before joining Fidelity in 2007. Here he progressed from Director of Corporate Finance to Global Head of Stewardship and Sustainable Investing before taking on the role of CSO.

Tan emphasises the diverse requirements of a CSO, noting that "the role of a CSO has many facets, including both hard and soft skills.“ His legal training helps him to interpret the increasing ESG regulations, and integrate them into Fidelity's strategic direction. Under his leadership, Fidelity has revised its sustainable investing framework to respond to evolving investor demands and regulatory changes.

Tan sees both opportunities and limitations in the area of sustainable investing. „Overall, sustainable finance initiatives alone are unlikely to bring about the systemic change required to achieve net zero and positive nature goals," he says. The main focus must therefore be on policy. This realistic assessment emphasises the need for a political framework to promote comprehensive change.

An important aspect of his work is investing in „brown“ companies that are currently heavily dependent on fossil fuels. „Brown-to-green investments are extremely important - especially in polluted sectors where emission reductions are difficult to implement.," says Tan.

He sees these investments as a necessary challenge to achieve long-term climate goals, but emphasises the risks involved. Tan's work at Fidelity is characterised by a balancing act between market requirements and political framework conditions. He views sustainable investing as an integral part of Fidelity International's overall strategy, and recognises the challenges involved in implementing sustainable investment strategies. He always keeps an eye on the long-term impact on the environment and society, and emphasises the need for continuous adjustments in order to meet the complex challenges of sustainable finance.