Ahren Lester

BNP Paribas launches first blue economy ETF

BNP Paribas Asset Management has launched the first exchange-traded fund focused on the blue economy, with the €35 million fund investing in listed equities that contribute to the sustainable economic use of the ocean resources

$20trn of investors urge firms to set science-based targets

ESG news round-up: BMO secures engagement mandate, NextEnergy makes maiden Portuguese investment, IETA urges UK ETS and more

Climate risk vulnerability significantly hikes emerging economy borrowing costs

Emerging economies that are highly vulnerable to climate risk have been hit with "significant rises" to their cost of borrowing, according to a report, more than doubling the sovereign bond yield premium compared with lower risk peers.

Sound climate risk management needs sound measurement, says Macklem

Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem said that robust measurement of climate risk in the economy is required to manage the "accelerating" risk posed by climate change and the transition to a low-carbon economy, with global initiatives starting to "bear fruit".

Hydrogen's explosive potential to green the economy

'Green' hydrogen promises many benefits to help decarbonise our economies, but it may need EU carbon prices to be five times higher by 2030. Ahren Lester reports.

ESG news round-up: Calvert joins Morgan Stanley; CofE drops ExxonMobil; HSBC in net-zero pledge

Green and sustainability-linked loan round-up: Colombina and Eureden

Confectionery and food maker signs first sustainable loan in Colombia

GPIF predicts equity boost and bond pain from more stringent climate policies

The largest pension fund in the world has estimated its equity portfolio could experience an accelerating valuation boost if more stringent climate policy restrictions are introduced to reach global targets, whereas its corporate bond portfolio could suffer deeper losses as policy tightens.

Green bond comment, October 2020: Automotive green bonds drive up corporate issuance

Issuance from car makers has shifted to a higher gear in recent months, and it is a sign that corporates more broadly are tapping the market, says Ahren Lester