AXA IM Embraces Global Energy Transition with Launch of Clean Economy Fund
- 08 April 2019
AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) today announces the launch of the AXA World Funds Framlington Clean Economy fund which seeks to provide investors with access to the long term growth potential of clean technologies.
Managed by Amanda O’Toole, the Sub-Fund of the Luxembourg-domiciled SICAV aims to deliver long-term growth by investing across the clean technology universe of companies, whose activities improve resource sustainability, support the energy transition (from fossil-based to zero-carbon energy production and storage), and address the issue of water scarcity.
The fund’s investment approach looks beyond traditional sector classifications, and identifies companies whose activities benefit from long-term, secular growth themes.
The fund also forms part of AXA IM’s growing impact fund range, and the company’s Impact Framework is a key feature within its investing strategy. In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the AXA IM Impact Framework helps define the impact objectives and outcomes across the range. Within the Clean Economy fund, the UN SDGs it focuses on are aligned with each of the strategy’s 4 sub-themes. Please see Fig 1. below for a comprehensive look at the SDGs the strategy measures against.
The strategy’s 4 sub-themes address and attempt to solve the problems we face due to fixed/finite amounts of resources.
- Sustainable Transport – electric vehicle adoption, significant advances in battery technology, and the development of emmision reduction systems.
- Smart Energy – renewable production costs, greener homes and buildings with digitalised electricty networks and energy storage solutions, and greater efficiency in factories reducing energy consumption.
- Responsible Nutrition – precision farming, reducing demand for excessive animal products, bioscience innovation and companies whose technology improves drinking water quality and reduces water usage.
- Recycling and Waste Reduction - businesses which mitigate environmental damage – by reducing waste, facilitating recycling, monitoring and resolving pollution.
Amanda O’Toole, portfolio manager, comments on why the Clean Economy is relevant for investors right now:
“There is greater urgency than ever before to manage carbon emissions and limit global warming. Every day the planet’s finite natural resources are further stretched: 200,000 more people populate the earth every day. In today’s interconnected society people are increasingly aware of these issues and are lobbying for change. At AXA IM we’ve recognised these changes and the opportunities they represent for the companies whose activities facilitate the transition to a more sustainable economy.”
“Using an unconstrained, multi-cap strategy, the Clean Economy fund invests in publicly-listed companies that have high growth potential as they support the world’s renewable energy transition and the drive towards resource optimisation, as well as waste and pollution reduction.”
The fund is registered and available to professional and retail investors in the UK, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Portugal (retail only), Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Liechtenstein.
Biography
Amanda O’Toole
Amanda is a Global Portfolio Manager at Framlington Equities. Amanda was previously a member of the Emerging Markets team with a focus on energy, utilities, consumer and healthcare. Prior to joining AXA IM, Amanda was an Investment Analyst at Nevsky Capital, covering Europe and then Emerging Markets across a range of sectors with emphasis on energy, utilities and consumer. Amanda began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, initially in Corporate Recovery and latterly in Corporate Finance. She holds a BA (Hons) in Economics from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne and is an Associate Chartered Accountant.
Disclaimer
Note to editors
Risks
Counterparty Risk: Risk of bankruptcy, insolvency, or payment or delivery failure of any of the Sub-Fund's counterparties, leading to a payment or delivery default.
Impact of any techniques such as derivatives: Certain management strategies involve specific risks, such as liquidity risk, credit risk, counterparty risk, legal risk, valuation risk, operational risk, and risks related to the underlying assets.
The use of such strategies may also involve leverage, which may increase the effect of market movements on the Sub-Fund and may result in significant risk of losses.
Geopolitical Risk: investments in securities issued or listed in different countries may imply the application of different standards and regulations. Investments may be affected by movements of foreign exchange rates, changes in laws or restrictions applicable to such investments, changes in exchange control regulations or price volatility.
About AXA Investment Managers
AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) is an active, long-term, global, multi-asset investor. We work with clients today to provide the solutions they need to help build a better tomorrow for their investments, while creating a positive change for the world in which we all live. With approximately €740 billion in assets under management as at end of September 2018, AXA IM employs over 2,390 employees around the world and operates out of 30 offices across 21 countries. AXA IM is part of the AXA Group, a world leader in financial protection and wealth management.
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AXA World Funds Framlington Clean Economy, sub-fund of AXA World Funds. AXA WORLD FUNDS’ registered office is 49, avenue J.F Kennedy, L-1885 Luxembourg. AXA World Funds is registered under the number B. 63.116 at the “Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés”. AXA World Funds is a Luxembourg SICAV UCITS approved by the CSSF.
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