Asset manager Nuveen is restructuring its Real Assets platform by bringing together its private real asset capabilities and launching two new business units focusing on natural capital and infrastructure.

Over two-thirds of institutional investors are planning to increase allocation to infrastructure, natural resources investments and other alternative assets, as they seek to reduce climate-related financial risk exposure and align portfolios with the transition to a sustainable low-carbon economy, according to research by Nuveen, which has US$15 billion in assets under management.

The newly structured platform will consist of capabilities in real estate, farmland, infrastructure, timberland, agribusiness, and commodities, which will be organized under three core pillars, including the two newly launched units: natural capital and infrastructure. These two pillars will sit alongside real estate and will be enhanced by targeted and complementary capabilities across the company’s private impact and commodities segments.

Its sustainable investment philosophy will underpin the entire platform’s approach, offering investors access to alpha-driven strategies that are deployed via a responsible investing lens.

“Investor demand for real assets is increasing at an extraordinary pace and by bringing together our unrivalled expertise in alternatives, we will be better positioned to respond to meet growing global investor demand for long-term sustainably managed investments,” says Mike Sales, CEO, real assets, Nuveen. “The strengthening of the platform represents the next step in our evolution in becoming the leading land-based asset manager, investing in a sustainable way for the enduring benefit of our clients and society.”