ESG

  • Capital Group launches multi-thematic Article 8 funds

    Capital Group launches multi-thematic Article 8 funds

    Capital Group has launched a set of multi-thematic sustainable funds that are available for investors in Europe, writes Christian Mayes. The Capital Group Sustainable Global Opportunities fund (LUX) will invest in global equities, while the Capital Group Sustainable Global Corporate Bond fund (LUX) will target fixed income exposure. The launch also includes a multi-asset offering…

  • Quarter of Article 8 funds at risk of greenwashing – MainStreet Partners

    Quarter of Article 8 funds at risk of greenwashing – MainStreet Partners

    A quarter of all Article 8 funds could be accused of greenwashing based on their sustainability framework and practices, according to MainStreet Partners, writes Christian Mayes The 24% of funds classified as a greenwashing risk by the 2024 ESG Barometer report marks a four percentage point increase from the 20% flagged at the end of…

  • EU green rules could stymie decarbonisation projects – ExxonMobil

    EU green rules could stymie decarbonisation projects – ExxonMobil

    The European Union’s climate regulations may lead to it halting its investments in Europe, ExxonMobil has warned. Speaking to the Financial Times, Karen McKee, president of the product solutions division, said the oil and gas giant had struggled to begin decarbonisation projects in Europe due to the regulatory burden. The result, she added, was that…

  • ICE flags need for Europe to double green investment

    ICE flags need for Europe to double green investment

    Investments to modernise energy and transport must double by the end of the decade to reach 2030 climate targets, the EU has been warned. According to the Institute for Climate Economics (ICE), which has released the European Climate Investment Deficit report, the bloc lacks what it calls a “consistent tool” to ensure monitoring of the…

  • European Green Bond Standard ‘step in right direction’ but challenges remain

    European Green Bond Standard ‘step in right direction’ but challenges remain

    Michael Nelson addresses the IEEFA’s findings on the European Green Bond Standard The European Green Bond Standard (EUGBS) promises to boost investor confidence and support the long-term growth of the green bond market despite some limitations, according to findings from the latest report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). The report…

  • Europe first to shy away from ESG across Calastone network

    Europe first to shy away from ESG across Calastone network

    European investors were the first to begin turning away from ESG funds, according to data from across the Calastone fund network. The company made the assertion in its latest Global Fund Flows Report, suggesting the “backlash” against ESG products began on the continent. “European investors began selling out of ESG funds in January 2022 and…

  • EU scaling up green subsidies should help investors, says law firm

    EU scaling up green subsidies should help investors, says law firm

    Investors should benefit from new European Union support for green subsidies, according to global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright. In EU scales up green subsidies – how you can benefit from new support for clean investments – which comes on the back of the EC’s adoption of changes to its state aid framework supporting the…

  • Stephen Dover: Find alpha at the energy-water-food nexus

    Stephen Dover: Find alpha at the energy-water-food nexus

    Basic biology means energy, water and food remain the most important economic goods – and so significant themes for informed investors The energy-water-food ‘nexus’ is now widely recognised as a critical element in efforts to combat climate change. Crucially, the number of potential investment themes emerging from it is practically without limit, as are the…

  • French ‘ISR’ ruling to lead to ESG rethink

    French ‘ISR’ ruling to lead to ESG rethink

    A new ruling from the French government around ESG investing could potentially lead to forced divestments worth billions of euros. As the Financial Times recently reported, the country has decided funds under its ‘L’investissement socialement responsible’ (ISR) label will no longer be able to put money into hydrocarbon exploration, exploitation or refining projects. Companies that…

  • BNP Paribas launches green infrastructure debt fund

    BNP Paribas launches green infrastructure debt fund

    BNP Paribas has launched a portfolio aiming to help fund projects and businesses involved in energy transition and climate-change mitigation. The BNP Paribas Climate Impact Infrastructure Debt fund will be structured as a Luxembourg Reserved Alternative Investment Fund and classified as ‘Article 9’ under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. The bank added it would be…

  • COP28 closes with deal that ‘demands greater ambition’

    COP28 closes with deal that ‘demands greater ambition’

    Despite the positive mood music from the organisers of this year’s climate change conference, Michael Nelson finds many commentators more cautious about heralding victory COP28 has concluded in Dubai with a new deal calling on all countries to “transition away” from using fossil fuels – the first time any such deal on fossil fuels has…

  • North Macedonia launches EBRD-backed energy transition programme

    North Macedonia launches EBRD-backed energy transition programme

    North Macedonia has launched its own energy transition investment platform, making the announcement to coincide with COP28. The country said it now aimed, by the end of the decade, to have phased out coal, adding 1.7GW of renewable energy, and strengthened its grid. The move is being supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and…