ASN Bank reveals carbon intensity of investment funds
London, 15 May: ASN Bank has published figures on the carbon intensity of three of its funds, which were in aggregate 20% less intensive than the MSCI All-World Developed index.

The Dutch bank commissioned environmental data firm Trucost to calculate the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent per million euros of three of its portfolios, which are invested in 190 companies and worth a total of €647 million ($1 billion).

Jeroen Jansen, director of ASN Bank, said: “Transparency is a first requirement in sustainable investing. The data from Trucost’s report give a clear picture to the public. Investors have a right to transparency and verifiable information. The climate issue is one of the greatest challenges confronting our society.”

The ASN Aandelenfonds – an equity fund – is the least intensive, at 293 tonnes per million euros, 40% lower than the MSCI index, which Trucost uses as a benchmark.

The ASN Small & Midcap Fonds was 4% less intensive than the benchmark, while the ASN Milieu & Waterfonds was 30% more intensive, because the environment and water fund invests in energy-intensive waste management and water companies.

Simon Thomas, chief executive of Trucost, said:  “By making public the information on portfolio carbon emissions, ASN Bank is taking a lead in acknowledging that managing a portfolio’s exposure to the rising costs of carbon inefficiencies is now a necessity.”

Jansen added: “Measuring CO2 efficiency is becoming an instrument of increasing importance to steer companies in the direction of the smallest environmental impact possible. Time and time again we have proved that offering successful investment products can be matched with an efficient policy of CO2 reduction. It would be advisable for other financial institutions to follow this example.”