Clean Economy
Innovative companies are creating solutions to address pressures on scarce natural resources and the need for greenhouse gas emission reduction.
What is the Clean Economy?
Each day, more than 200,000 additional people populate the planet1 , further challenging how far natural resources must stretch to sustain human life. Clean Tech companies strive to create genuine solutions to help address these challenges.
The Clean Economy is the rapidly growing universe of companies whose activities improve resource sustainability, support the energy transition (from fossil-based to zero-carbon energy production and storage) or address the issue of water scarcity.
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Why consider investing in the Clean Economy?
Consumers are demanding more of companies and governments as concerns over the sustainability of human civilisation on earth deepen. Consequently, we are seeing the growth of Clean Tech investing, as more companies embrace the circular economy and respond to the need for change.
We believe businesses that are prepared to adapt should have a sustainable, competitive advantage by reducing their input costs over the long-term, and, they could see significant growth potential in the decades to come. We believe that this could provide investors with exciting, new investment opportunities in companies that should stand the test of time.
The world is changing, and we have identified three reasons why we believe now is the time for the Clean Economy:
- Environmental pressure is rising: In recent years the rising potential for human suffering and huge economic loss due to climate-related disasters has been driving more urgency than ever to manage carbon emissions and limit global warming. A lot has happened since nearly every nation on earth committed to a low carbon future by signing the Paris Agreement in 2015 but there’s still a long way to go and the transition to a low carbon future requires carefully balanced social and economic transformation.
- Awareness is rising: Awareness of the impact of pollution is being increasingly driven by governments, consumers and corporates. There is strong regulatory support across the EU (Green Deal), US (Biden's administration) and even China (carbon neutral commitment by 2060).
- Action is rising: Consumers are changing their consumption habits at a faster pace, while companies are investing massively in new clean technologies to avoid the rising cost of taxes and penalties from emissions and to guard against the impact of potential non-financial risks arising from a climate crisis.
These three combined are encouraging governments and companies to reassess their policies and start to implement meaningful change and invest in the circular economy and new Clean Tech.
Research ratings
As at 3 March 2023*
*The rating issued 03/2023 is published by Lonsec Research Pty Ltd ABN 11 151 658 561 AFSL 421 445 (Lonsec). Ratings are general advice only, and have been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider your personal circumstances, read the product disclosure statement and seek independent financial advice before investing. The rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any product. Past performance information is not indicative of future performance. Ratings are subject to change without notice and Lonsec assumes no obligation to update. Lonsec uses objective criteria and receives a fee from the Fund Manager. Visit lonsec.com.au for ratings information and to access the full report. © 2023 Lonsec. All rights reserved.
Product Disclosure Statement
Reference Guide
Target Market Determination
Latest ESG Report
We aim to enable our clients to invest in the companies and projects leading the transition to a more sustainable world.
Green bonds
Green bonds are among the most interesting innovations of the last decade in the field of socially responsible investment products.
Sustainable Equity
An actively managed global equity strategy following a factor-based investment approach – while actively investing in a sustainable way.
Our Clean Economy strategy
Our approach to investing in the Clean Economy seeks to identify high-quality, growth-oriented companies operating across one of four key investment areas impacted by the finite amount of natural resources. We believe these are the areas which will provide innovative, new investment opportunities:
- Low Carbon Transport: Across the world, the demand for sustainable transport is increasing, providing investors with ample investment opportunities in electric vehicles, battery technologies and emission reduction systems.
- Smart Energy: The necessity and demand for greener homes is growing, helping to provide the impetus and resources for the development of energy efficient technologies. This is creating investment opportunities in renewables, greener homes and efficient factories.
- Agriculture & Food Industry: Companies are exploring new ways to meet the growing demand of rising populations while limiting the use of scarce water and land. This is providing copious opportunities to invest in firms that are developing food and agricultural technologies.
- Natural Resource Preservation: Public opinion is shifting and putting pressure on companies to better manage supply chains - and is providing investment opportunities in companies who are mitigating their environmental damage and evolving their practices.
We only invest in companies which demonstrably generate a share of their revenues from the clean economy through an investment approach combining fundamental stock selection with a proprietary impact framework.
We aim to provide transparent and measurable impact metrics focused on UN Sustainable Development Goals contribution towards environmental and societal issues, including:
- 6 - Clean water and sanitation (Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all)
- 7 - Affordable and clean energy (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all)
- 11 - Sustainable cities and communities (Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable)
- 12 - Responsible consumption and production (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns)
- 13 - Climate action (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts)
- 14 - Life below water (Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development)
The targeting of specific SDGs does not imply the endorsement of the United Nations of AXA Investment Managers, its products or services, or of its planned activities and does not constitute, explicitly or implicitly, a recommendation for an investment strategy.
What are some of the risks associated with this strategy
Currency management risk: The strategy will have exposure to foreign currencies. This means that changes in the value of the Australian dollar relative to other currencies may affect the value of the assets of the strategy. It is the Investment Manager’s intention to not hedge currency exposure to reduce the risk of adverse fluctuations in the value of the Australian dollar relative to other currencies.
Global investment risks: Investments in foreign securities may be affected by movements of exchange rates, changes in laws or restrictions applicable to such investments and changes in exchange control regulations (e.g. currency blockage).
Investments in small and/or micro-capitalisation universe: Investing in the small and/or micro capitalisation universe implies specific liquidity risk. The possible lack of a liquid market may inhibit the ability of the strategy to purchase or sell such investment at an advantageous price.
Please note all investments carry risks. Including but not limited to currency management risk, global investment risk, investments in small and/or micro-capitalisation universe risk, ESG risk, investments in specific sectors or asset classes risk, impact investments risk, emerging markets risk, company specific risk, market risk, liquidity risk, operations risk, please read the product disclosure statement.
Equity Trustees Limited (“Equity Trustees”) (ABN 46 004 031 298), AFSL 240975, is the Responsible Entity for the AXA IM Clean Economy Equity Fund. Equity Trustees is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited (ABN 22 607 797 615), a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT). This publication has been prepared by AXA Investment Managers Australia Ltd (ABN 47 107 346 841 AFSL 273320) (“AXA IM Australia”), to provide you with general information only. In preparing this publication, we did not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It is not intended to take the place of professional advice and you should not take action on specific issues in reliance on this information. Neither AXA IM, Equity Trustees nor any of its related parties, their employees or directors, provide and warranty of accuracy or reliability in relation to such information or accepts any liability to any person who relies on it. Past performance should not be taken as an indicator of future performance. You should obtain a copy of the Product Disclosure Statement before making a decision about whether to invest in this product.
Disclaimer
This website is published by AXA Investment Managers Australia Ltd (ABN 47 107 346 841 AFSL 273320) (“AXA IM Australia”) and is intended only for professional investors, sophisticated investors and wholesale clients as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
This publication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment research or financial analysis relating to transactions in financial instruments, nor does it constitute on the part of AXA Investment Managers or its affiliated companies an offer to buy or sell any investments, products or services, and should not be considered as solicitation or investment, legal or tax advice, a recommendation for an investment strategy or a personalized recommendation to buy or sell securities.
Market commentary on the website has been prepared for general informational purposes by the authors, who are part of AXA Investment Managers. This market commentary reflects the views of the authors, and statements in it may differ from the views of others in AXA Investment Managers.
Due to its simplification, this publication is partial and opinions, estimates and forecasts herein are subjective and subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee forecasts made will come to pass. Data, figures, declarations, analysis, predictions and other information in this publication is provided based on our state of knowledge at the time of creation of this publication. Whilst every care is taken, no representation or warranty (including liability towards third parties), express or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information contained herein. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the recipient. This material does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision.
All investment involves risk , including the loss of capital. The value of investments and the income from them can fluctuate and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.