PRESS ROOM
WisdomTree launches Europe’s only fully collateralised Carbon ETP
Thursday 02nd September '21
WisdomTree, the exchange-traded fund ("ETF") and exchange-traded product ("ETP") sponsor, has announced the launch of an ETP that allows investors to gain exposure to the performance of carbon emission allowances. The fully collateralised WisdomTree Carbon ETP (CARB), listed today on Borsa Italiana and Börse Xetra, with a management expense ratio of 0.35%.
CARB seeks to reflect the movement in the price of the ICE Carbon Emission Allowances (EUA) futures contract through the Solactive Carbon Emission Allowances Rolling Futures TR Index. The EUA futures contract is currently the most liquid exchange-traded carbon futures contract globally1.
The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is the world’s biggest carbon market and the foundation of the European Union’s (EU) policy to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions2. The scheme is intended to support the EU in achieving carbon neutrality in the region by 20503. The EU, a signatory of the Paris Accord4, is moving forward in the fight against climate change, having approved a law to make its greenhouse gas emissions targets legally binding. The agreement targets a reduction in net EU emissions by 55% by 2030, from 1990 levels, and eliminate them by 20505.
Under the EU ETS, a cap exists which limits the amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted by companies each year. A fixed number of carbon emission allowances are issued each year, with companies required to hold enough allowances to cover their emissions and ensure they fall under the cap. Price increases in carbon emission allowances mean it gets more expensive for companies to cover their carbon footprint with the allowances and incentivises them to invest in pollution abatement technology which could help drive change faster.
Greater investor involvement in EUA futures market could boost liquidity of the futures and the underlying EUAs, which can assist in the ‘price-discovery’ process6. An under-priced carbon market could slow the progress of decarbonising. Higher investor involvement could therefore be seen as a positive market outcome.
Alexis Marinof, Head of Europe, WisdomTree added: “Climate change mitigation is front of mind for investors, corporates and policymakers alike, with many seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and align with the Paris Agreement. The importance of these initiatives cannot be understated and has driven demand for a vehicle that provides exposure to carbon emission allowances futures. CARB builds on our differentiated product range and our deep knowledge of commodities, providing investors with thoughtful exposure to a corner of the environmental, social and governance (ESG) market investors have found difficult to access.”
Total EU carbon emission allowances trading activities were valued at over €201bn in 2020, equivalent to 8,096 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, an increase of 19 per cent7 from a year earlier.
Nitesh Shah, Director of Research, Europe, WisdomTree said: “The EU ETS has firmly established itself as the pre-eminent model for a cap-and-trade carbon abatement system. Its success is seeing a material reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the sectors and countries covered by the scheme. Futures based on the European carbon market are the most liquid in the world and present an investment opportunity for investors looking to contribute to price discovery in this vital market. Further investor involvement could boost the futures liquidity, continue to improve this market and further this cause.”
WisdomTree offers the most comprehensive range of commodity ETPs in Europe, with circa $24.9bn8 in assets under management across its platform.
Product information
Share Class Name |
MER |
Exchange |
Trading Ccy |
Exchange Code |
ISIN |
WisdomTree Carbon |
0.35% |
Börse Xetra |
EUR |
WCO2 |
JE00BP2PWW32 |
WisdomTree Carbon |
0.35% |
Borsa Italiana |
EUR |
CARB |
JE00BP2PWW32 |
Sources
1 Refinitive, January 2021
2 https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/ets_en
3 https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/ets_en
4 The Paris Agreement’s central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change.
5 https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/eu-countries-approve-landmark-climate-change-law-2021-06-28/
6 Price discovery process helps the market settle at the correct price for an asset or commodity
7 Refinitive, January 2021
8 WisdomTree, as of 06 August 2021