ANZ launches Climate Change Investment Trust

The ACCT is a six-year investment product which will invest in companies that offer products and services that support environmental sustainability and combat the impact of climate change. It is linked to the performance of the Sustainable Asset Management (SAM)* Sustainable Climate Fund based in Luxembourg and issued by ANZ Trustee & Executor Co.

ANZ Head of Investor Sales Institutional, Mr Angus Graham said the fund focused on investing in innovative new technologies and systems, as well as products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help society adapt and respond to global warming. The ACCT follows the success of the ASPRIT sustainable fund which was launched in October 2006.

“The ACCT will invest in a range of sustainable companies involved in areas such as products for the construction industry that reduce the energy use of buildings, new agricultural systems that help address the effects of drought as well as traditional sources of renewable energy,” Mr Graham said.

It provides a unique opportunity to make an investment in an environmentally sustainable fund that had outperformed its benchmark (MSCI World (net) EUR) since launch in March 2007.

“The ANZ Climate Change Trust demonstrates that financial and environmental investments are not mutually exclusive,” Mr Graham said.

The Trust has a minimum investment of $500,000 and is open to wholesale investors. Key features include:

• Six-year term with returns linked to the performance of the SAM Sustainable Climate Fund, with exposure to companies focused on climate change 
• Investors gain exposure to global equity returns based on climate change and sustainability criteria, with the safety net of principal protection at maturity 
• 100% Principal Protection provided by ANZ at maturity. ANZ is rated AA by Standard and Poor's and is an APRA-regulated authorised deposit-taking institution (ADI) 
• Liquidity - early redemption fees of maximum of 0.50% p.a. apply, and, Capital is invested in the SAM Sustainable Climate Fund, contingent coupon of six month BBSW + 0.50% p.a. plus potential for capital growth.

The Trust is being launched this week through a series of Institutional roadshows in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra.

View PDF