Sept 9th: AIIB and Amundi Launch Climate Change Investment Framework: To Drive Asia's Green Recovery and Transition  

AIIB and Amundi Launch Climate Change Investment Framework 

To Drive Asia's Green Recovery and Transition  

The Framework is the first investment benchmark tool taking a holistic approach to analyzing issuer’s climate change performance based on the three objectives of the Paris Agreement

  

[SEPTEMBER 9, 2020] A new AIIB-Amundi Climate Change Investment Framework is being launched today by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Amundi, Europe’s largest asset manager. This benchmark investor tool will for the first time holistically assess climate change risks and opportunities in line with the three objectives of the Paris Agreement at the issuer-level.  

Endorsed by Climate Bonds Initiative, a major international certifier and industry thought leader in the green and climate bond market,  the AIIB-Amundi  Climate Change Investment Framework  translates  the three key objectives of the Paris Agreement into fundamental metrics, equipping  investors  with a new tool to  assess an issuer’s  level of alignment with climate change mitigation, adaptation and low-carbon transition objectives.  

While groups of leading institutional investors have responded   to the climate challenge by integrating climate change into investment processes, the Framework developed by AIIB and  Amundi  takes a holistic approach that  current  private-capital  mobilization  efforts  lack.  Equity capital markets  currently  focus on thematic funds  and commonly face strong sector bias,  while  low-carbon indexes have  a  pronounced focus on mitigation efforts.  In fixed income, green bonds have been  the  main climate finance solution for debt capital  markets, but they do not consider exposure to climate investment risks and opportunities from the viewpoint of an issuer’s entire balance sheet. 

“The global climate challenge is a huge threat to our world and urgent multilateral action is needed to address this crisis and help our members meet their commitments to the Paris Agreement,” said AIIB President and Chair of the Board of Directors Jin Liqun at the Climate Bonds Initiative international conference. “In launching this Framework today, we and our partners show our commitment to playing an important role in the battle against climate change, by contributing to strengthening market capacity and driving the green agenda in Asia.”  

Investors can expect portfolios aligned with this  Framework to deliver a potential financial impact  by benefiting from  any future repricing of climate change risks and opportunities in the capital market.  The Framework allows investors to measure issuer performance against the three objectives of the Paris Agreement. This allows investors to systematically include A-list issuers (those that are already performing well on all three objectives) and B-list issuers (those that are moving in the right direction but are not A-list issuers yet) into their investment portfolio. An investment strategy targeting both A and B List issuers should be more resilient to climate change risk and more exposed to opportunities not yet priced in by the market. 

In addition, the  Framework  also delivers extra financial impact as it is designed to  encourage the integration of climate change risks and opportunities into business practices by targeting the  engagement of  so-called “B-List” issuers to help them transition to “A-List” credentials. 

Yves Perrier,  CEO  of Amundi,  added: “We are proud to launch this Framework with AIIB as we continue to make strides in the field of climate finance. Mobilizing key stakeholders in supporting the Paris Agreement in Asia is in line with Amundi’s commitment to ESG investing and reflects our extensive commitment to the region. This new Framework will further help the investment community address climate change through the mobilization of capital to emerging markets where it is much needed.”

Sean Kidney, CEO, Climate Bonds Initiative, commented: “Action on climate means action on investment and private sector involvement to create green capital markets. With this Framework, AIIB and Amundi are laying a new foundation for the development and growth of climate finance and transition investment in the region.” 

This Framework builds  upon  AIIB’s  climate finance milestones to date. In 2019 AIIB’s climate finance amounted to USD1.7 billion or 39 percent of total financing approved—an increase from USD2.5 billion or 35 percent of total financing approved over the previous three years combined (2016-2018). In 2019 the Bank launched the USD500 million AIIB Asia Climate Bond Portfolio to accelerate members’ climate action, catalyze  emerging market  investment  and  address  the  underdeveloped climate-aligned bond market, providing a working model for the  Framework. The portfolio will also function as the investment case for the Framework. 

Amundi has been at the forefront of Climate Finance development, creating innovative solutions to bring new large-scale funding dedicated to financing the low-carbon economy across asset classes and geographies. As a responsible investor, Amundi seeks to fulfil its role by supporting investor mobilization and market development through flagship initiatives (such as the Portfolio Decarbonization Coalition) and partnerships with multilateral finance institutions. As of June 2020, climate finance solutions represented EUR19 billion in assets under management.

 

-ENDS- 

 

For more information about the AIIB-Amundi Climate Change Investment Framework visit: 

https://www.aiib.org/en/policies-strategies/framework-agreements/climate-change-investment-framework/index.html

 

About AIIB

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia. Headquartered in Beijing, we began operations in January 2016 and have now grown to 102 approved members worldwide. By investing in sustainable infrastructure and other productive sectors in Asia and beyond, we will better connect people, services and markets that over time will impact the lives of billions and build a better future.

 

About Amundi

Amundi, the leading European asset manager, ranking among the top 10 global players[1], offers its 100 million clients - retail, institutional and corporate - a complete range of savings and investment solutions in active and passive management, in traditional or real assets. 

With its six international investment hubs[2], financial and extra-financial research capabilities and long-standing commitment to responsible investment, Amundi is a key player in the asset management landscape.

Amundi clients benefit from the expertise and advice of 4,500 employees in nearly 40 countries. Created in 2010 and listed on the stock exchange in 2015, Amundi currently manages nearly €1.6 trillion of assets[3].

Amundi, a Trusted Partner, working every day in the interest of its clients and society

www.amundi.com

 

 

Press Contacts

AIIB

Alison Hicks – alison.hicks@mcsaatchi.com

 

Amundi

Jeannette Spears – jeannette.spears@amundi.com

 

Climate Bonds Initiative 

Leena Fatin - leena.fatin@climatebonds.net


[1] Source: IPE “Top 500 Asset Managers” published in June 2020, based on assets under management as at 31/12/2019

[2] Boston, Dublin, London, Milan, Paris and Tokyo

[3] Amundi data as at 30/06/2020

 

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