Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva PLC, announces the launch of a new fund to support the transition to a low carbon economy as global temperatures continue to rise due to climate change.
The Aviva Investors Climate Transition European Equity Fund, which is supported by a €100 million seed investment from Aviva France and aims to outperform European equity markets, will be managed by portfolio manager Francoise Cespedes. She will work with Rick Stathers, senior global responsible investment analyst and climate change specialist, who will develop the methodology for defining the investment universe on the Fund.
The Fund will take a long-term, high conviction investment approach, targeting companies deriving material revenues from goods and services addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as investing in those companies aligning their business models for a warmer, low-carbon world.
According to the latest New Climate Economy report from the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, lowcarbon growth could deliver economic benefits of $26 trillion by 2030. Disasters triggered by weather and climaterelated hazards were responsible for thousands of deaths and $320 billion in losses in 2017 alone. 1
The Fund will not invest in stocks exposed to coal, unconventional fossil fuels, Arctic oil and gas production or thermal coal electricity generation, and limits exposure to those producing oil and gas or gas-fired power generation. It will also look to deliver strong performance for clients through a highly-integrated investment approach, connecting the ideas and analysis of the firm’s 18-strong global responsible investment team and over 40 equities investment professionals.
Euan Munro, Chief Executive Officer, Aviva Investors, said:
“Failure to act on climate-related risks represents a failure to act in the long-term interests of investors. It is vital that asset managers play their part in providing solutions for clients that will help address this critical issue.”
Francoise Cespedes, Portfolio Manager, Aviva Investors Climate Transition European Equity Fund, said:
The Fund is part of our strategic ambition to deliver superior investment performance and sustainable outcomes for clients through positive climate risk management. This agenda is aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, and the commitments made by world leaders in 2015 through the Paris Agreement to avoid the dramatic consequences of unaddressed climate change on societies and the world’s economy.”
1 Report Summary; Unlocking the inclusive growth story of the 21st century: accelerating climate action in urgent times; New Climate Economy 2018 report; Global Commission on the Economy and Climate.
For more information contact:
Steve Ainger
Head of Media Relations
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Phone
020 7809 8452
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Email
steve.ainger@avivainvestors.com
Laura Cocker
Media Relations Manager
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Phone
020 7809 6252
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Email
laura.cocker@avivainvestors.com
Important information:
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Except where stated as otherwise, the source of all information is Aviva Investors Global Services Limited (“Aviva Investors”) as at 19 March 2019. Unless stated otherwise any views, opinions expressed are those of Aviva Investors. They should not be viewed as indicating any guarantee of return from an investment managed by Aviva Investors nor as advice of any nature. The value of an investment and any income from it may go down as well as up and the investor may not get back the original amount invested.
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Aviva Investors
Aviva Investors is the global asset management business of Aviva plc. The business delivers investment management solutions, services and client-driven performance to clients worldwide. Aviva Investors operates in 14 countries in Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and the United Kingdom with assets under management of £346 billion as at 30 June 2019.
AVIVA PLC
- Aviva provides life insurance, general insurance, health insurance and asset management to 33 million customers.
- In the UK we are the leading insurer serving one in every four households and have strong businesses in selected markets in Europe, Asia and Canada. Our shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and we are a member of the FTSE100 index..
- Aviva’s asset management business, Aviva Investors, provides asset management services to both Aviva and external clients, and currently manages £346 billion in assets. Total group assets under management at Aviva group are £490 billion.
- Aviva helps people save for the future and manage the risks of everyday life; we paid out £34.6 billion in benefits and claims in 2017.
- By serving our customers well, we are building a business which is strong and sustainable, which our people are proud to work for, and which makes a positive contribution to society.