Our Solution
Combining carbon footprint reduction with liquidity and positive potential social and environmental outcomes.
LIQUID INVESTMENT WITH HIGH ESG STANDARDS
LIQUID INVESTMENT WITH HIGH ESG STANDARDS
The strategy provides daily exposure to the world equity market in line with the benchmark STOXX Global 1800 Net Return Index, but selecting only companies which demonstrate high Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, and a positive financial outlook.
CARBON REDUCTION AND OFFSETTING
CARBON REDUCTION AND OFFSETTING
Companies are also selected based on their carbon emissions and energy transition strategy. The remaining carbon footprint of the portfolio is offset every quarter through the purchase of Verified Emission Reduction certificates, issued by the Project Kasigau Corridor REDD+ in Kenya.
SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES
SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES
The Project protects threatened forests, the wildlife that live in them and provides communities with a sustainable and transformative development path. REDD+, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation, is a climate change mitigation strategy introduced by the United Nations. The plus sign relates to additional benefits for the local community and biodiversity.
Combatting climate change together
From Kyoto to Paris, the major agreements over the last 30 years.
1992
United Nations framework convention on climate change (UNFCCC)
The UNFCCC is the first international climate agreement within the UN framework. It seeks to reach a better understanding of climate change, proposing solutions for cooperation between countries so as to limit the effects of climate change. To date, it has been ratified by 195 countries and recognises three main principles: the precautionary principle, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and the principle of the right to development.
1997
Kyoto Protocol Application 2005-2020
In the mid-1990s, the signatories of the UNFCCC became aware of the need to take more stringent measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). In 1997, they adopted the Kyoto Protocol which sets the target for the 38 most industrialised countries in the world to reduce their overall emissions of 6 GHG by 5% compared with the levels observed in 1990. Three flexible mechanisms were put into effect to help countries achieve this: Emissions Trading (ET), Joint Implementation (JI) and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
2015
Paris Conference on climate change (COP 21) Application 2020-2030
In December 2015, 195 countries adopted the very first legally binding universal agreement on climate change, which will come into effect in 2020. The Paris Agreement lays the foundations for an international action plan aiming to limit the planet’s temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius compared with pre-industrial levels. A key point of the COP 21 was discussion surrounding the lack of climate financing in order to achieve the 2°C objective.
2016
17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Adopted unanimously in September 2015 at a historic United Nations Summit, the SDGs came into effect in January 2016 for a time horizon of 2030. The SDGs initiative aims to involve all countries and civil society as well as covering all aspects of sustainable development: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. The flagship objectives are to put an end to all forms of poverty, to combat inequalities and to tackle climate change.
2021
Glasgow Conference on Climate Change (COP 26)
The outcome of COP26 was the Glasgow Climate Pact. The pact has set the target of reducing global carbon dioxide emissions by 45% by 2030 relative to the 2010 level and to net zero by 2050.
2023
United Arab Emitrates Conference on Climate Change (COP 28)
In December 2023, the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) took place in Dubai, UAE. Negotiations culminated in a historical first, whereby world leaders reached a consensus across 198 nations agreeing to ‘transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems’. It marked the first time a COP final decision had singled out fossil fuels, which constitutes a key reference point, reminder, and a call to action for all COP summits to come.
For more information visit United Nations Climate Change
How it works
Eligible Companies: approximately 2,800 listed equities worldwide covered by Moody’s ESG Solutions, a global provider of ESG research and services.
LIQUID ESG
ESG Compliance Filters
Exclusion of companies with significant involvement in controversial activities such as nuclear, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, coal, weapons, unconventional oil & gas or in UN Global compact violations (human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption), critical controversies concerning the environment, International Labour Organisation conventions and the International Bill of Human Rights.
Exclusion of companies with a BNP Paribas Asset Management ESG decile of 9 or 10 (10 being the worst decile).
Selection of companies with a Moody’s ESG Solutions ESG score among the top 75% in their sector or at or above 30/100 overall.
Geography & Liquidity
The headquarters of companies whose equities are selected must be domiciled in one of the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States of America.
The average daily volume of the equities of selected companies sold and/or bought on the financial markets observed over 1 month and 6 months must be greater than or equal to 10 million USD equivalent.
Financial Robustness & Diversification
The eligible companies are also screened based on their financial outlook. A selection of the top 50% companies is made based on profitability, prospects and valuation data (return on equity, earnings, free cash flow, etc.)
The final selection is comprised of around 100 listed companies and the weighting of each sector in the portfolio must not exceed a 30% difference with each sector weight in the initial universe of eligible companies. The weighting of each region (with the regions being Asia Pacific, Europe and North America) must also not exceed a 30% difference with each region weight in the initial universe.
Performance objectives in line with World Benchmark
The expected tracking error, representing the standard deviation in the series of differences between the performances of the portfolio and of the Benchmark index, should be below 5% per annum vs the benchmark STOXX Global 1800 Net Return Index.
Leading Energy Transition
Only companies aiming for the most robust and ambitious energy transition strategy in carbon-intensive sectors can be included in the portfolio and therefore contribute positively to the overall Energy Transition score.
Carbon Reduction
The final selection must have an average carbon footprint reduced by at least 50% compared with the initial universe of eligible companies.
Carbon Offset
BNP Paribas Asset Management France determines the amount of Verified Emission Reduction (VER) certificates necessary for offsetting the remaining carbon footprint of the portfolio (Scope 1 + Scope 2):
- Scope 1 concerns the direct emissions of companies (e.g. fuel consumption)
- Scope 2 concerns indirect emissions due to the business’s activity (e.g. electricity supplier’s fuel consumption)
- Scope 3 concerns indirect emissions due to the use of products sold (e.g. fuel consumption by the client’s electricity supplier due to use of the product). With the available data, the CO2 emissions relating to Scope 3 are difficult to access and incomplete. Scope 3 is therefore not taken into account.
Voluntary Carbon Market
VER certificates, also known as “voluntary carbon credits”, are bought in the voluntary carbon market, which coexist with regulated trade and exchange systems within the Kyoto protocol and other regional agreements. VER certificates tend to be cheaper than the carbon credits sold in the regulated market, subject to higher demand by large energy installations.
CARBON REDUCTION & OFFSET
OUTCOMES
When Carbon Offseting brings Social and Environmental Outcomes
The proceeds of the VER certificates are allocated to the project Kasigau Corridor REDD+ in Kenya, supporting local community, wildlife and forestry conservation. Investors benefit through their financial contribution in a project with positive potential social and environmental outcomes from an enhanced brand value and reputation, which will ultimately attract the increasingly climate conscious consumer base.
Rebalancing
This investment process is repeated on a quarterly basis so as to update both equity portfolio and the amount of VER certificates to be purchased.
Rebalancing dates: beginning of March, June, September and December.
Benefits of the Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project
- Protection of around 200,000 hectares of Kenyan dryland forests under threat, securing the whole migration corridor between the Tsavo East and Tsavo West National parks.
- The project is expected to reduce more than 1 million tonnes of CO2 per year.
- Home to over 50 species of large mammals including endangered populations of the ‘International Union for the Conservation of Nature’ Red List species such as the Grevy’s Zebra and African Wild Dog.
- Creation of more than 400 jobs, the majority of which are filled directly by the local community.
- Development of eco-tourism, agroforestry and jobs linked to parkland conservation.
Contribution to 13 of the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, verified by SD VISTa Standards as of October 2023
Co-created by local leaders and locally hired employees, the economic and social development programs designed to alleviate poverty and impact over 100,000 community members.
Source: Official documentation from the Kasigau Project, 2023
The project’s organic greenhouse distributes seedlings to the community for reforestation and community gardens. Carbon revenue also funds water access and sustainable farming training.
Source: Official documentation from the Kasigau Project, 2023
Regional hospital labs have been renovated and equipped with updated technology. The project increases resources for community educators and NGOs to conduct health workshops.
Source: Official documentation from the Kasigau Project, 2023
As of 2022, over 26,000 students have received scholarships totalling over $1.2 million dollars.
Source: Official documentation from the Kasigau Project, 2023
30% of the workforce is female, many of whom are managers and rangers, roles typically reserved for men in the region. Wildlife Works conduct company-wide anti-harassment training and have a strong equity and diversity policy.
Source: Official documentation from the Kasigau Project, 2023
Carbon revenues have funded the completion of over 50 water projects that improve access to clean water for over 100,000 people.
Source: Official documentation from the Kasigau Project, 2023
300+ locally hired employees, making Wildlife Works the second largest job provider in the county.
Source: Official documentation from the Kasigau Project, 2023
Wildlife Works REDD+ projects in developing nations provide funding for sustainable livelihoods and development programs to give agency to marginalised forest communities.
Source: Official documentation from the Kasigau Project, 2023
The Wildlife Works eco factory trains and employs over 70 local community members to produce apparel and accessories for sustainable brands worldwide.
Source: Official documentation from the Kasigau Project, 2023
The Kasigau REDD+ project reduces over 1 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually
Source: Official documentation from the Kasigau Project, 2023
The Kasigau REDD+ project protects over 200,000 hectares of dryland forest, thousands of threatened elephants and 14 other IUCN endangered species.
Source: Official documentation from the Kasigau Project, 2023
Wildlife Works co-creates projects with land owners and forest communities within the existing culture to implement inclusive self-governance structures. We operate with full transparency and zero tolerance for corruption.
Source: Official documentation from the Kasigau Project, 2023
Wildlife Works projects are examples of private-public community partnerships that bring together national and regional government, local community and private sector to bring in conservation finance and community development.
Source: Official documentation from the Kasigau Project, 2023
Wildlife Works
A REDD+ Project Developer and Manager.
1997
Creation of Wildlife Works
1998
Launch of the first project in a wildlife sanctuary in Rukinga, covering 80,000 acres of forest
2010
The project’s geographic scope expanded to include 13 blocks of land owned by indigenous community ownership groups that were subject to deforestation
2011
Kasigau Corridor world’s first REDD+ project to be verified under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and the Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB) standards, earning gold level certification from the latter
2016
The International Finance Corporation, from the World Bank group, selected the Project as underlying for the first “Forests Bond” ever issued
2017
Kasigau Corridor REDD+ project Winner of Best Offsetting Project by Environmental Finance
2023
To date, the project has safeguarded 200,000 hectares of dryland forests, preserving the habitat of wild elephants, and providing a home to several communities.
Partnership with BNP Paribas
For more information visit www.wildlifeworks.com
Wildlife Works is the world’s first REDD+ program development and management company, using market-based solutions to promote biodiversity conservation objectives.