ESG Investor’s weekly round-up of news on funds designed to meet sustainable investing criteria.
Mirae Asset has launched India’s first sustainable ETFs focused on ESG factors.The Mirae Asset ESG Sector Leaders ETF is an open-ended scheme tracking the Nifty 100 ESG Sector Leaders Total Return Index, while the Mirae Asset ESG Sector leaders Fund of Funds is an open-ended scheme investing in Mirae Asset ESG Sector Leaders ETF. Both funds will be benchmarked against the Nifty Sector leaders index, and are aimed to translate into sustainable profit in the long term.
French asset manager Amundi has expanded its ESG EFT range with the launch of the Amundi MSCI Japan SRI UCITS ETF, aiming to only include companies with high ESG scores. Comprised of large and mid-cap Japanese stocks, the JARI will track the MSCI Japan SRI Filtered ex-Fossil Fuels Index, removing companies that have significant involvement in the fossil fuel industry. Amundi is also switching its FTSE 100 ETF to an ESG index. The Amundi MSCI UK IMI SRI UCITS ETF will now track the MSCI UK IMI SRI Filtered ex-Fossil Fuels index, offering exposure to 130 UK stocks with high ESG scores relative to sector peers.
Close Brothers has launched two funds in response to demand for funds with a focus on ESG and sustainable investment strategies. Close Sustainable Balanced Portfolio Fund aims to provide capital growth with some income over the medium term, investing in shares, bonds, alternatives, ETFs, and third-party funds. Close Sustainable Bond Portfolio Fund, previously the Close Bond Income Portfolio Fund, aims to generate income while maintaining capital value over the medium term. The fund will invest in bonds, third party funds, and other fixed income securities, with a new investment approach and fund prospectus. Both funds are actively managed and follow a “robust three-stage process” using detailed analysis and sophisticated modelling techniques, uncovering investment opportunities which avoid unethical practices, have positive ESG ratings and sustainability records, and provide returns in line with the funds’ investment objectives.
Credit Suisse and The Conduit Connect, a London-based investment club, have partnered with Linklaters and Deloitte on a new platform aimed at providing members and clients with access impact investment opportunities. The offering, which currently matches potential investors, mentors and board members with early-stage investment opportunities, will be broadened, making use of onboarding support from Linklaters and a robust Impact Framework as the result of collaboration between The Conduit Connect and Deloitte.
Cazenove Capital has unveiled a new carbon offsetting scheme in a commitment to the protection of biodiversity and reforestation globally, appointing sustainability charity Ecologi to its Charity Responsible Multi-Asset Fund. The fund will combine a low-carbon investment approach with a commitment to offset the remaining carbon emissions from its equity investments. Investors will see the direct impact on their assets via transparent reporting on the fund’s carbon footprint, the environmental projects supported and the number of trees planted. Carbon offset cost will be absorbed by Cazenove Capital and not passed onto investors.
A specialist investment firm targeting direct investments in global energy infrastructure, Victory Hill Capital Group, has been launched by Anthony Catachanas, Richard Lum, Eduardo Monteiro and Michael Egan. The company will focus on sustainability trends, including energy market liberalization, energy access, climate change, energy efficiency and resilience, with an aim of facilitating a smooth transition to green energy in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
