Milltrust International Group has launched The Climate Impact Asia Fund in collaboration with Environmental Investment Services Asia Limited and WWF Hong Kong.
The fund, targeting a size of USD 500 million, will invest in Asian-listed companies making a positive impact with regards to climate change.
The target companies are focused on delivering sustainable long-term returns which provide a positive impact through renewable energy, environmental services, water treatment and distribution, low-carbon transportation and energy management services.
The Asia-Pacific region is responsible for almost half of global carbon dioxide emissions, and is also the region most exposed to climate risks. The region houses significant opportunities to invest in companies working on climate impact, according to Milltrust.
In addition to its aim of maximising shareholder returns, and to further its environmental mandate, the fund also makes revenue-based donations to support WWF Hong Kong’s local and Asian Regional conservation programmes.
These programmes are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and have a particular focus on SDGs 14 and 15: Life Below Water and Life on Land.
WWF Hong Kong acts as the environmental consultant to the fund and is a key member of the Investment Advisory Committee, monitoring the fund’s climate objectives, providing environmental expertise and deep knowledge on climate policies, and providing access to a global network of contacts from academia, industry, government, and civil society.
“Time is running out for urgent climate action. It is imperative to mobilise the investment world to take action to solve our climate emergency,” said Alexander Kalis, managing partner at Milltrust and Investment Advisor to the fund.
He continued: “We are thrilled to partner with the environmental investment specialists at EISAL and to benefit from the active collaboration with WWF Hong Kong on The Climate Impact Asia Fund. The fund will give professional investors around the world the opportunity to invest and make a difference.”
Jeremy Higgs, managing director at EISAL and investment manager to the fund, commented that there has never been a better time to find market-leading and innovative companies that can deliver strong performance, but also make a real impact against climate change.
“Through our De-carbon Asia Impact Investing Index, we have proven that a portfolio of low-carbon environmental goods and services companies can deliver superior performance,” said Higgs.
