• First ETF to track a FTSE EPRA Nareit Green Index
• FTSE EPRA Nareit Green Indexes allow investors to integrate climate risk into listed real estate portfolios
• Real estate sector currently accounts for more than one-quarter of global carbon emissions

FTSE Russell, the global index, analytics and data provider, announces that BNP Paribas Asset Management has chosen to license the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Europe ex United Kingdom Green Index for its latest Exchange Traded Fund (ETF).

The ETF is the first to track a FTSE EPRA Nareit Green index, which allows investors to integrate climate risk considerations into their listed real estate portfolio. The index covers real estate companies in Developed Europe (excluding the UK) and delivers notable improvements in climate and sustainable characteristics while minimising tracking error. To achieve this objective, the real estate portfolios of companies’ are assessed on two sustainability considerations: estimated energy usage per square meter and floor space covered by eligible green certification. These assessments are then applied as tilts to adjust company weights to provide greater exposure to those companies with portfolios demonstrating strong sustainability performance. The index also applies a conduct-based exclusion in line with the United Nations Global Compact principles.

Launched in December 2018, the FTSE EPRA Nareit Green Indexes allow investors to integrate climate risk considerations in their investment strategies in listed real estate, an asset class that historically has lacked such tools. They provide an extension to the FTSE EPRA Nareit Real Estate Index Series, a global series of leading listed real estate benchmarks which are tracked by over $340 billion in assets

According to UN estimates, buildings account for over half of global electricity usage and c. 28% of global carbon emissions. There is also evidence linking better environmental performance to higher asset values, higher occupancy rates, higher rental yield and lower operating costs.

Stéphane Degroote, Managing Director, FTSE Russell comments:
“We congratulate BNP Paribas Asset Management for the launch of their new green real-estate ETF. We have seen growing investor demand for innovative financial products that factor in climate risk and opportunities of late.”

“Integrating climate risk in listed real estate is a major challenge for the transition to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy. FTSE Russell’s green real estate index series allows investors to gain exposure to a liquid market offering higher yields and a low-correlation to broader equity markets, alongside driving the sustainability agenda of a low-carbon economy.”

Isabelle Bourcier, Head of Quantitative & Index, BNP Paribas Asset Management comments: “Listed real estate represents a compelling investment opportunity through a combination of yield enhancement, inflation hedge, liquidity and low correlation to other equity sectors and other asset classes.  With the launch of this new ETF based on FTSE Russell’s green real estate index, we are building on our strong track record in this asset class by offering clients a new efficient exposure to listed real estate assets with sustainable considerations. We have already seen significant investor demand.”

To assess the sustainability performance of the constituents, the indexes draw on building-by-building geolocation data mapping from specialist data provider GeoPhy. This data is then matched with green certification data and provides the basis for detailed energy use and carbon emissions modelling.

Source: London Stock Exchange Group