AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) has launched the AXA World Funds Framlington Clean Economy fund, which provides investors with access to the long-term growth potential of clean technology.
The fund, managed by Amanda O'Toole, aims to provide long-term returns through investment in companies that promote a shift to clean energy, contribute to optimal resource use and address the issue of water scarcity. The investment approach goes beyond traditional sector classifications and identifies companies that benefit from long-term growth themes.
Clean Economy fund is part of AXA IM's growing impact fund range. The company's impact framework is an integral part of the overall investment strategy and helps to define the goals and outcomes that are consistent with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The strategy targets four challenges that the world faces with finite resources.
- Sustainable transport - the introduction of electric vehicles, significant advances in battery technology and the development of systems that reduce emissions.
- Smart Energy - Developing greener homes and buildings with digitalized power grids and energy storage solutions, as well as more efficient factories, which reduces energy consumption.
- Responsible Nutrition - Precision Farming, Reduction of High Demand for Animal Products, Innovations in Life Sciences; Companies whose technologies improve drinking water quality and reduce water consumption.
- Recycling and Waste Prevention - Companies that help reduce environmental damage by reducing waste, simplifying recycling, monitoring and remedying environmental damage.
Amanda O'Toole commented: "There is more urgency than ever to control CO2 emissions and limit global warming. Global population growth and increasing prosperity are also increasing demand for energy, transportation, food and water: the world's population is growing by 200,000 every day. At the same time, there is a growing realisation that natural resources are becoming increasingly scarce and greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced. At AXA IM, we have recognised these changes, as well as the opportunities that companies offer to support the transition from fossil fuels to CO2-free power generation and storage and reduce water scarcity.
"With a flexible multi-cap strategy, Clean Economy fund invests in publicly traded companies with high growth potential as it supports the global shift towards renewable energy, resource optimisation, and waste and emissions reduction efforts."
The fund is available to professional investors and private investors in the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Portugal (for residential customers only), Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Liechtenstein.
