The transition to a lower-carbon economy continues to create significant opportunities for institutional investors. Energy transition investments can include renewable power generation, energy storage, grid infrastructure, clean technologies and projects that support the decarbonisation of industry, transportation, buildings and other forms of infrastructure.

The judges will be looking for evidence of a clear and effective energy transition strategy that delivers both financial and sustainability outcomes while supporting long-term portfolio objectives.

Ideally, you should show:

• how your energy transition strategy is structured and implemented
• how energy transition investments support your long-term objectives and complement your wider portfolio
• the sectors, technologies and markets in which you invest
• the size and structure of mandates and how they are managed
• examples of recent investments, projects or portfolio developments
• how you source opportunities and gain exposure to relevant assets
• how you measure, monitor and report performance and progress against objectives or targets
• the risks associated with energy transition

Digital infrastructure has become an essential component of modern economies, supporting connectivity, data storage, cloud computing and the growing demand for digital services. More recently, the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence has created significant investment opportunities across AI-enabling infrastructure, including data centres, high-performance computing facilities, semiconductor-related infrastructure, energy solutions supporting AI workloads and other technologies that facilitate the development and deployment of AI.

This category is aimed at investors that have built up significant investments in fibre networks, data centres, cell towers and other forms of digital infrastructure, as well as infrastructure that supports the growth and adoption of artificial intelligence.

Ideally, for this award, the judges would be keen to see:

• a clear outline of your approach to digital and AI infrastructure investments
• how your digital and AI infrastructure portfolios enhance and complement your overall long-term objectives and other asset classes 
• how you seek exposure and details of mandates, recent deals and holdings
• examples of investments in AI-related infrastructure, including data centres, computing capacity, connectivity networks, energy infrastructure or other enabling technologies
• how you assess long-term demand trends associated with digitalisation and AI adoption
• how you manage the risks associated with digital and AI infrastructure investments, including technology, operational, cybersecurity, regulatory and energy-related risks
• how your investment approach addresses the significant power, resource and sustainability considerations associated with AI infrastructure
• how you monitor performance and measure value creation across your digital and AI infrastructure portfolio

Sustainability considerations are increasingly embedded throughout real assets and infrastructure investment strategies. Institutional investors are seeking opportunities that generate long-term value while supporting environmental and social objectives, improving resilience and contributing to the transition to a more sustainable economy.

For this award, the judges will be looking for evidence that sustainability principles are integrated throughout the investment lifecycle and are delivering measurable outcomes alongside financial performance.

Ideally, you should show:

• your overall approach to sustainable real assets and infrastructure investing
• how sustainability considerations are integrated into investment selection, management and monitoring
• how your sustainable investment strategy supports your long-term objectives and complements your wider portfolio
• examples of mandates, investments, projects or initiatives that demonstrate your approach
• how you identify, measure and report sustainability outcomes and performance
• how you engage with managers, operators and other stakeholders to improve outcomes
• how you manage sustainability-related risks, including climate and regulatory risks
• evidence of measurable environmental and/or social benefits achieved through your Investments

Core infrastructure assets are typically characterised by stable cash flows, strong downside protection and long-term contracted or regulated revenues. These assets often form the foundation of institutional infrastructure portfolios and play an important role in delivering predictable long-term returns.

The judges will be looking for evidence of a disciplined and effective approach to building and managing a core infrastructure portfolio, together with clear demonstrations of value creation and risk management.

Ideally, you should show:

• your overall approach to investing in core infrastructure
• how core infrastructure supports your long-term investment  objectives and portfolio construction
• the sectors and geographies in which you invest and the rationale behind these allocations
• examples of key holdings, recent transactions or portfolio developments
• how assets are sourced, acquired and managed
• how you assess and manage operational, regulatory and market risks
• how you measure performance and monitor portfolio resilience
• any examples of stewardship, governance improvements or  operational enhancements that have strengthened outcomes

Direct investment strategies can provide investors with greater control over assets, stronger governance, improved alignment of interests and enhanced opportunities for value creation. Such approaches often require significant internal expertise, scale and the ability to build long-term partnerships with other investors, operators and industry participants.

The judges will be looking for evidence of a well-developed direct investment strategy, effective partnership management and strong asset stewardship.

Ideally, you should show:

• a clear explanation of your direct investment strategy and its objectives
• how direct investments support your long-term goals and overall portfolio construction
• the sectors, asset types and geographies you target
• examples of recent transactions, portfolio activity and investment outcomes
• how opportunities are sourced and partnerships are developed and managed
• how assets are governed and managed both financially and operationally
• any institutional, regulatory or governance considerations that influence your strategy
• how you assess and manage the risks associated with direct investing

Social infrastructure plays a vital role in supporting communities and economies through assets such as housing, healthcare facilities, hospitals, schools and other essential public services. These investments can deliver stable long-term returns while also generating meaningful social outcomes.

The judges will be looking for evidence of a well-defined social infrastructure strategy that balances financial objectives with positive societal impact.

Ideally, you should show:

• a clear outline of your social infrastructure investment strategy
• how social infrastructure investments support your long-term objectives and complement your wider portfolio
• the sectors, geographies and asset types in which you invest
• examples of recent investments, developments or portfolio activity
• how opportunities are sourced, structured and managed •
• how social impact considerations are incorporated into investment decisions and asset management
• how you measure and report both financial and social outcomes
• how you manage the risks associated with social infrastructure investments

Forestry and timber investments can provide attractive long-term returns, diversification benefits and exposure to growing demand for sustainable materials, while also supporting carbon sequestration and broader environmental objectives.

For this award, judges will be interested in understanding how your forestry and timber strategy balances financial performance with responsible land management and sustainability considerations.

Ideally, you should show:

• a clear explanation of your forestry and timber investment strategy
• how forestry investments support your long-term objectives and complement other portfolio assets
• the types of forestry assets, regions and timber markets in which you invest
• details of mandates, holdings, acquisitions or recent activity
• how forests are managed, monitored and maintained over the long term
• your approach to sustainable forest management, certification and environmental stewardship
• how you assess and manage risks, including climate, wildfire, biodiversity and market risks
• how you measure both financial performance and wider environmental outcomes

Nature-based solutions are increasingly recognised as an important means of addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation while generating long-term value for investors and society. These investments can include projects focused on ecosystem restoration, biodiversity enhancement, carbon sequestration, watershed protection and sustainable land management.

For this award, judges will be particularly interested in how investors are using capital to deliver measurable environmental outcomes alongside financial returns.

Ideally, you should show:

• your overall approach to nature-based solutions within your real assets strategy
• how nature-based investments support your long-term investment objectives and sustainability ambitions
• examples of projects involving ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection or enhancement, reforestation, regenerative land use or habitat creation 
• how investments are structured, managed and monitored
• how biodiversity considerations are integrated into investment decision-making and asset management
• the environmental and financial outcomes you seek to achieve and how these are measured
• how you manage the risks associated with nature-based investments, including regulatory, environmental and operational risks
• how your approach aligns with relevant national and international frameworks, standards or nature-related disclosure initiatives

Value-add infrastructure strategies seek to enhance returns through active asset management, operational improvements, redevelopment, expansion projects or selective exposure to assets with greater complexity and growth potential.

The judges will be looking for evidence of how investors identify opportunities to create value while managing the additional risks associated with these strategies.

Ideally, you should show:

• a clear explanation of your value-add infrastructure strategy and objectives
• how value-add investments complement your broader infrastructure portfolio
• the sectors, regions and asset types you target
• examples of recent investments, redevelopment projects or operational improvements
• how opportunities are sourced and assessed
• how value is created through asset management, repositioning, expansion or other initiatives
• how you manage the additional risks associated with value-add investments
• how performance is measured and how value creation has translated into improved outcomes for stakeholders and beneficiaries

Infrastructure debt has become an increasingly important source of stable income and downside protection for institutional investors. It can provide access to essential infrastructure assets while offering attractive risk-adjusted returns across a range of sectors and markets.

The judges will be looking for evidence of a well-defined infrastructure debt strategy, strong underwriting discipline and effective portfolio management.

Ideally, you should show:

• a clear outline of your infrastructure debt strategy and investment objectives
• how infrastructure debt complements your overall portfolio and long-term investment goals
• the types of debt investments you pursue, including senior, subordinated, private or public debt
• the sectors, geographies and borrower profiles you target
• examples of recent transactions, mandates or portfolio activity
• how investment opportunities are sourced and assessed
• your approach to credit analysis, due diligence and risk management
• how performance is monitored and how risks such as refinancing, default and interest rate exposure are managed

Transport infrastructure remains a core component of institutional portfolios, providing exposure to essential assets that facilitate the movement of people and goods. Investments can include airports, ports, toll roads, rail networks, rolling stock, shipping and aircraft leasing.

The judges will be looking for evidence of a transport infrastructure strategy that delivers long-term value while adapting to changing economic, environmental and technological trends.

Ideally, you should show:

• a clear outline of your transport infrastructure investment strategy
• how transport investments support your long-term objectives and complement your wider portfolio
• the sectors, regions and asset types in which you invest
• examples of recent transactions, projects or portfolio developments
• how investment opportunities are sourced and managed
• how you incorporate ESG, sustainability and net-zero considerations into investment and asset management decisions
• how you assess and manage operational, regulatory, environmental and market risks
• how you measure performance and demonstrate value creation across your transport portfolio

Agriculture and farmland have become increasingly important components of institutional real assets portfolios, offering long-term income generation, inflation protection, diversification benefits and exposure to global food production. Investors are also increasingly seeking opportunities that support sustainable farming practices, resource efficiency and food security.

For this award, the judges will be keen to understand how your agriculture and farmland strategy is designed, implemented and managed, and how it contributes to your wider investment objectives.

Ideally, you should show:

• a clear overview of your agriculture and farmland investment strategy and objectives
• how agriculture and farmland investments complement your broader portfolio and long-term goals
• the types of assets and regions you target
• how investments are sourced, structured and managed
• examples of recent acquisitions, developments or portfolio activity
• how you manage operational, environmental and climate-related risks
• how you monitor performance and measure success against investment and sustainability objectives
• any innovative approaches to improving productivity, sustainability or resilience within your portfolio