Climate crisis: investors have a key role to play in shift to green finance
- Global summits and national targets to reduce carbon emissions are gathering momentum with the mobilisation of capital in support
- Investors have the techniques and data today to make the right call when it comes to having a climate-aware portfolio
Investors have a key role to play. Capital can be allocated to encourage activities with high carbon footprints to reduce them over time and to support new technologies and businesses that offer solutions to climate change and the preservation of the biosphere.
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Two sessions: How China's environmental policies are giving a boost to green industries
Achieving a net zero carbon economy in the decades ahead is the unifying goal for governments and the private sector. Failing to do so and allowing global warming to trigger extreme weather events, flooding and droughts will increasingly undermine the global economy and lead to humanitarian catastrophes.
Rising living standards and global economic growth can only be sustained if countries set out and stick to plans to reduce emissions and limit the rise in global temperatures. Indeed, the transition to a low-carbon economy can boost future growth.
Race to cut carbon emissions could be a gold mine for investors
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As China continues planting trees, 23% of the country is now covered in forest
Finally, the widespread deployment of renewable energy will massively reduce the dependence on oil, gas and coal. While these natural resources are found in multiple locations, they do not occur everywhere. Some countries have historically been energy poor and have needed to import energy, often at the expense of balance of payments stability.
Solar and wind resources are widespread. Given the appropriate investment, countries that have never had oil or coal could find themselves with abundant energy potential.
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Massive hybrid floating solar farm takes shape on hydropower dam reservoir in Thailand
Investors can contribute to this process today. More investment managers now offer low-carbon strategies. These take many forms, including some that focus on excluding high carbon-dioxide emitters and those that focus on companies leading the move to net zero and the technologies that will enable the transition.
When one hears of oil companies striving to reduce their carbon footprint and investing in alternative energy, we can be sure the journey is now well advanced. Investors have the techniques and data to make the right call when it comes to having a climate-aware portfolio.
Understanding how firms are adapting their business models and allocating capital appropriately should allow investors to reduce their exposure to risks (regulation and taxes related to carbon emissions) and benefit from the growth opportunities provided by new climate solutions.
Chris Iggo is the chief investment officer for core investments with AXA Investment Managers