Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) has launched a range of climate funds aimed at supporting the shift towards net zero global emissions.

The investment firm launched the range this morning as part of its aim to take an “industry-leading” role in tackling climate change. ASI has previously signalled its own commitment to the Net Zero aim by joining the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative and making climate commitments at its 2021 AGM.

The ASI Climate Range is made up of EU SFDR article 9 funds and provide access to a range of outcomes for clients depending on how they want to allocate their capital. Article 9 funds are those that specifically have sustainable goals as their objective. For example investing in companies whose goal it is to reduce carbon emissions.

The Global Climate and Environment Equity Fund invests in companies that are innovating and providing solutions needed to reach net zero.

The Climate Transition Bond Fund invests in the leading emissions reducers; i.e. companies with credible and ambitious transition plans from high emission sectors and outstanding companies in other sectors. The fund also invests in projects that tackle the physical impacts of climate change, as well as solutions providers who support other parts of the economy to decarbonise through their products or services.

The Multi-Asset Climate Opportunities Fund invests in climate solutions such as clean energy, electric vehicles and smart working technologies by investing in equities, bonds and renewable infrastructure.

Eva Cairns, head of climate change strategy at Aberdeen Standard Investments, said: “Climate change is one of the largest threats of our time and impacts not only future generations, but also many countries and companies around the globe today. Tackling it requires trillions of dollars of investment every year to transform our world into one that emits net zero greenhouse gases.

“This transformation comes with significant opportunities for investors. To have real world impact, we need to look to the future and invest in the solution providers and companies that will help make this transition to net zero happen.”

Nearly 9 in 10 advisers (86%) ask clients about sustainability in their suitability assessements, according to research released this morning from parent company abrdn (formerly Standard Life Aberdeen). However, a quarter (24%) of the advisers surveyed said none of their clients have asked them to incorporate their sustainability preferences into their investment portfolio in the past year. 

Variation in industry guidance on what constitutes ESG investing (37%) was the most common reason why advisers did not have a fixed ESG definition in place. 

abrdn polled more than 185 advisers via an online survey in June 2021.