-
Canada Issues C$4 Billion Green Bond, Includes Nuclear Energy
-
Sunfire Sparks €315 Million Boost for Green Hydrogen Tech
-
EU Lawmakers Unwrap Plan to Tackle Packaging Waste: Recycling Goals by 2030
-
Geodis Puts Emission Reductions on the Express Lane
Market Recap
There are various ESG investment styles, with MSCI providing indices to rate several. We wanted to include additional indices here to provide a well-rounded view of strategy performance.
(1 week performance from 26/02/24 to 01/03/24)
The MSCI ACWI ESG Screened Index led for the week, gaining 1.40% whilst the unconstrained index added 1.32%. Interestingly, over the last 5 years, all 4 ESG strategies have outperformed the MSCI ACWI Index, which is unconstrained.
(5 year performance from 05/03/19 to 05/03/24)
A brief overview of the ESG methodologies are as follows:
ESG Universal – Excludes companies found to be in violation of international norms and involved in controversial weaponry.
ESG Screened – Excludes companies based on business involvement and targets a 30% reduction in carbon emissions relative to the parent index
ESG Leaders – Excludes companies based on business involvement and below a ‘BB’ ESG rating, whilst targeting a 50% reduction in carbon emissions relative to the parent index
ESG Focus – Excluding companies based on 4 areas of business involvement and designed to maximise exposure to companies involved in positive ESG trends
Canada Issues $4 Billion Green Bond
The Government of Canada announced that it has completed the issuance of a C$4 billion green bond, the country’s second, and the first by a sovereign issuer to include nuclear energy expenditures as an eligible use for proceeds.
The new offering follows the release late last year by the government of its updated Green Bond Framework, which added some nuclear energy expenditures in the list of eligible investment areas.
Sunfire Raises $340 Million for Clean Hydrogen Production Tech
German electrolyzer manufacturer Sunfire announced today that it has raised €315 million (USD$342 million), including €215 million in a Series E equity financing round, and a term loan of up to €100 million provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB), with proceeds aimed at accelerating the growth and industrialization of its green hydrogen technologies.
Sunfire produces industrial electrolyzers aimed at addressing a key clean energy challenge of providing renewable hydrogen and syngas as climate-neutral substitutes for fossil energy.
EU Lawmakers Agree to New Law Targeting 100% Recyclable Packaging by 2030
Lawmakers in the European Parliament and Council announced that they have reached a provisional agreement on new series of sustainable packaging rules aimed at addressing growing packaging waste in the EU, and boosting the circular economy, including a goal for all packaging to be fully recyclable by 2030.
The agreement follows a proposal by the European Commission in November 2022 to update the EU’s regulation on packaging and packaging waste. At the time, the Commission had noted that packaging waste had already reached 180 kg per person per year in Europe, and without action, this was set to grow to by a further 19% by 2030, with plastic packaging waste increasing by 46%.
Packaging accounts for 40% of plastics and 50% of paper used in the EU.
Geodis Targets 42% Emissions Reduction from its Fleet and Buildings
Global logistics provider Geodis has announced a series of climate goals, including a commitment to reduce emissions generated by its fleets of vehicles and its buildings by 42%. It also plans to reduce the carbon intensity of subcontracted transport by 30% by 2030, compared to 2022 figures. The launch of the new goals comes as companies globally increasingly focus on supply chain sustainability, including the climate impact of value chains, including shipping and logistics.
Download
Sources.
Anthony Walters – Head of ESG at Clever Adviser Technology Ltd (Clever)
Market recap – Data sourced from FE FundInfo & Koyfin (quoted in Pounds Sterling).
Canada Issues $4 Billion Green Bond, by Mark Segal, ESG today, 05/03/24
Sunfire Raises $340 Million for Clean Hydrogen Production Tech by Susan Lahey, ESG today, 05/03/24
TotalEnergies, Air Liquide Create New JV to Launch a Hydrogen Station Network for Heavy Duty Trucks by ESG Today 01/02/24
Geodis Targets 42% Emissions Reduction from its Fleet and Buildings, by ESG Today, 02/02/24
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.
Regulatory Information: This is a general communication provided for informational purposes only. It is educational in nature and not designed to be taken as advice or a recommendation for any specific investment product, strategy, plan feature or other purpose in any jurisdiction, nor is it a commitment from Marlborough or any of its subsidiaries to participate in any of the transactions mentioned herein. Any examples used are generic, hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. This material does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision and it should not be relied upon by you in evaluating the merits of investing in any securities or products. In addition, users should make an independent assessment of the legal, regulatory, tax, credit, and accounting implications and determine – together with their own professional advisers if appropriate – if any investment mentioned herein is believed to be suitable. Investors should ensure that they obtain all available relevant information before making any investment. Any forecasts, figures, opinions or investment techniques and strategies set out are for information purposes only, based on certain assumptions and current market conditions and are subject to change without prior notice.
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.
The post ESG in 5: 5 March 2024 appeared first on Clever.