Written by Anthony Walters – Clever‘s Head of ESG, ESG in 5 is a roundup of 5 key pieces of ESG news and performance, from the past week.
The MSCI ACWI ESG Focus Index was slightly down again for the week with a -0.95% return, against the MSCI ACWI Index return of -0.87%.
EU Bans Microplastics in Consumer Products
The EU announced the adoption of a series of measures aimed at fighting microplastics pollution, including banning the sale of a broad series of products to which microplastics have been added, including cosmetics, detergents, and toys.
Microplastics are often added to many products due to their use as filler, providers of texture, or as emulsifying agents, although they often are released into the environment and remain there for centuries, leading to negative health effects for humans and animals.
Number of climate-focused funds surges 600% in the past five years
The number of climate-focused open-ended portfolios available to investors has increased by approximately 600% since 2018, according to the latest study from Morningstar. Its fourth annual Investing in Times of Climate Change paper, which explores the progression of climate themed funds, found that as of June 2023, there were 1,407 open-ended and exchange-traded funds with a climate-related mandate. This compared with fewer than 200 portfolios five years ago.
Iberdrola Wins Best ESG Reporting Utility in the World
Iberdrola has won the best utility in the world in ESG (environmental, social and governance) information disclosure, and the first company in Europe in the Print-Based Alternative Reports category of the League of American Communications Professionals (LACP) world ranking. Iberdrola has been ranked as the world’s leading utility and has achieved for the second consecutive year the Platinum award, with a score of 99 out of 100, for its digital space “Annual Integrated Annual Report and ESG Information 2022”.
Northvolt to Build $5 Billion Gigafactory in Canada
Battery manufacturer Northvolt has announced plans to build a new US $5 billion gigafactory near Montreal, Canada, to begin operations in 2026. The project marks Northvolt’s first gigafactory outside of Europe.
Sweden-based Northvolt has pioneered a sustainable model for battery manufacturing, with a goal to deliver batteries with an 80% lower carbon footprint than those made using coal-based energy by powering factories with renewable energy, minimising resource use and recycling batteries.
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Sources.
Anthony Walters – Head of ESG at Clever Adviser Technology Ltd (Clever)
Data sourced from FE FundInfo & Koyfin (quoted in Pounds Sterling).
EU Bans Microplastics in Consumer Products by Mark Segal, ESG Today, 27/09/23
Number of climate-focused funds surges 600% in the past five years, By Eve Maddock-Jones, Investment Week, 28/09/23
Iberdrola Wins Best ESG Reporting Utility in the World, by ESG News, 26/09/23
Northvolt to Build $5 Billion Gigafactory in Canada, by Mark Segal, ESG Today 29/09/23
Risk Warning: These are Anthony’s views at the time of writing and should not be construed as investment advice. The opinions expressed are correct at time of writing and may be subject to change. Capital is at risk. The value and income from investments can go down as well as up and are not guaranteed. An investor may get back significantly less than they invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of current or future performance and should not be the sole factor considered when selecting funds.
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All information presented herein is considered to be accurate at the time of production, but no warranty of accuracy is given and no liability in respect of any error or omission is accepted. Issued by Marlborough Investment Management Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (reference number 115231). Registered office: PO BOX 1852 Lichfield, Staffordshire, England, WS13 8XU. Registered in England No. 01947598. The Clever Marlborough Model Portfolio Service (‘Clever MPS’) is a collaboration between Marlborough Investment Management Limited as the Discretionary Fund Manager and Clever Adviser Technology Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (company number 2910523) with registered office at Watergate House, 85 Watergate Street, Chester, Cheshire CH1 2LF (“Clever”). Clever is a technology and software provision company which developed a methodology and proprietary suite of algorithms for the monitoring, analysis, collation, and transmission of data on the performance of Investment Funds and related portfolios within the UK market which Marlborough utilises for investment purposes.
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