– ESG Strategy Shines with 0.93% Gain
– California Targets Big Oil in Climate Lawsuit
– Swiss Re Commits to Massive Biochar Carbon Removal
– Google Innovates with New Clean Energy Purchase Model
Market Recap
In a positive week for markets, the ESG screened strategy led for the week with a 0.93% gain, confining the Leaders strategy to second place.
(1 week performance from 10/06/24 to 14/06/24)
California Seeks to Seize Big Oil Companies’ Profits in Climate Greenwashing Suit
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Monday that the state would seek to seize the “illegally obtained profits” of several big oil companies, as part of an amended lawsuit claiming that the companies falsely advertised the environmental sustainability attributes of their products, and of fossil fuels generally.
The amendment follows the launch of the suit by the AG in September 2023 against oil companies Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and BP, alleging that the companies carried out a decades-long “climate deception campaign” through public statements and marketing, aimed at denying and creating doubt about the impact of fossil fuels on climate change, despite knowing about the link between them since at least the 1960s.
Microsoft Purchases Nearly 1 Million Tons Carbon Removal Credits
Microsoft and climate solutions provider Anew Climate have announced a new nature-based carbon removal purchase agreement, with Anew delivering more than 970,000 tons of carbon removal credits generated from improved forest management projects across the U.S.
Swiss Re Signs Agreement for 70,000 Tonne Biochar Carbon Removal
Carbon removal solutions provider Carbonfuture and Swiss Re announced today that they have signed a new biochar carbon removal (BCR) agreement, with Swiss Re purchasing at least 70,000 tonnes of BCR credits, sourced from Carbonfuture partner Exomad Green’s new Riberalta facility in Bolivia.
Biochar, or biological charcoal, is produced by heating biomass, such as forest residue, wood or crop waste, in the absence of oxygen, creating a stable form of carbon, which when buried in soil enables centuries-long carbon sequestration, in addition to leading to improved soil fertility.
Google Rolls Out New Clean Energy Purchase Structure
Google announced its first-ever Clean Transition Tariff-based (CTT) supply agreement, rolling out a new market rate structure aimed at accelerating the next generation of clean technologies, and facilitating investment in clean energy, while helping companies meet their climate goals.
Renewable energy purchases are often made through Power Purchase Agreements in which a buyer promises to buy a certain amount of power from a provider, incentivizing developers to build renewable projects. However, solar and wind power are highly intermittent, so grids often fall back on fossil fuels. The CTT has been developed to invest in forms of energy that are more stable, from early stage technologies
Download
Sources.
Anthony Walters – Head of ESG at Clever Adviser Technology Ltd (Clever)
Market recap Data sourced from FE FundInfo & Koyfin (quoted in Pounds Sterling).
California Seeks to Seize Big Oil Companies’ Profits in Climate Greenwashing Suit by ESG News, 11/06/24
Swiss Re Signs 70,000 Tonne Biochar Carbon Removal Agreement with Carbonfuture, by ESG today, 14/06/24
Google Rolls Out New Clean Energy Purchase Structure with Berkshire Hathaway’s NV Energy by ESG News, 13/06/24
Microsoft Purchases Nearly 1 Million Tons of Nature-based Carbon Removal Credits from Anew, by ESG today, 11/06/24
Risk Warning: These are Anthony’s views at the time of writing and should not be construed as investment advice. The opinions expressed are correct at time of writing and may be subject to change. Capital is at risk. The value and income from investments can go down as well as up and are not guaranteed. An investor may get back significantly less than they invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of current or future performance and should not be the sole factor considered when selecting funds.
Regulatory Information: This is a general communication provided for informational purposes only. It is educational in nature and not designed to be taken as advice or a recommendation for any specific investment product, strategy, plan feature or other purpose in any jurisdiction, nor is it a commitment from Marlborough or any of its subsidiaries to participate in any of the transactions mentioned herein. Any examples used are generic, hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. This material does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision and it should not be relied upon by you in evaluating the merits of investing in any securities or products. In addition, users should make an independent assessment of the legal, regulatory, tax, credit, and accounting implications and determine – together with their own professional advisers if appropriate – if any investment mentioned herein is believed to be suitable. Investors should ensure that they obtain all available relevant information before making any investment. Any forecasts, figures, opinions or investment techniques and strategies set out are for information purposes only, based on certain assumptions and current market conditions and are subject to change without prior notice.
All information presented herein is considered to be accurate at the time of production, but no warranty of accuracy is given and no liability in respect of any error or omission is accepted. Issued by Marlborough Investment Management Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (reference number 115231). Registered office: PO BOX 1852 Lichfield, Staffordshire, England, WS13 8XU. Registered in England No. 01947598. The Clever Marlborough Model Portfolio Service (‘Clever MPS’) is a collaboration between Marlborough Investment Management Limited as the Discretionary Fund Manager and Clever Adviser Technology Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (company number 2910523) with registered office at Watergate House, 85 Watergate Street, Chester, Cheshire CH1 2LF (“Clever”). Clever is a technology and software provision company which developed a methodology and proprietary suite of algorithms for the monitoring, analysis, collation, and transmission of data on the performance of Investment Funds and related portfolios within the UK market which Marlborough utilises for investment purposes.