ShareAction is a UK-based registered charity aimed at responsible investment. Barclays has been Europe’s biggest lender for fossil fuel projects since the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. According to ShareAction, Barclays had financed fossil fuel companies and carbon-intensive projects worth more than $85 billion. 

A total of 11 institutional investors managing assets over $170.6 billion have collaborated with 100 individual shareholders for the climate change resolution, media reports said. The resolution will be voted at Barclays’ annual investor meeting in May 2020. 

With that, the lender becomes Europe’s biggest and the world’s sixth largest funder of fossil fuels, according to . BankTrack report last year. The resolution led by ShareAction plans to tackle climate change and change the banks’ lending practices in favour of fossil fuel projects. 

Amundi spokesperson told the media that, “According to its voting policy for 2020, Amundi reiterates its priority on the question of the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the economy. And as such, we are favourable to any resolutions from shareholders that ask issuers to be more transparent around environmental and social factors. Therefore, the resolution of ShareAction is perfectly in line with our policy.

The asset manager holds a minor stake of 0.02 percent in Barclays. Today, companies are under strain to help reduce carbon emissions.

The post Barclays challenged by ShareAction to end fossil fuel investment appeared first on International Finance.

Five of these six new offerings are launched in Singapore which will be managed by CPR Asset Management. The new equity funds launched for Asia by Amundi will focus on climate action, education, food security, disruptive business models and population aging. While in Hong Kong, the firm introduced a global education-focused equities fund.

According to Amundi, education is a key investment theme and the sector has been increasingly attracting investors from Asia. This is caused by the growing global education expenditure and the rising demand for education services in developing countries which is driven by population growth and the increasing monetary power in the hand of emerging country’s middle class.

Vincent Mortier, deputy chief investment officer at Amundi told the media, “Asia is Amundi’s second domestic market and is underpinned by strong economic fundamentals and growing wealth.”

He added, “We believe education is the next long-term, sustainable theme. There are powerful, structural trends at play, making the sector an attractive opportunity for investors seeking huge growth potential.”

Last month, Amundi, along with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank announced a $500 million Asia Climate Bond Portfolio. It aims to accelerate climate action in the bank’s members and address the underdevelopment of the climate bond market.

The bond, which will become active on January 2020, will invest in labeled green bonds and unlabeled climate bonds. It will also engage in helping companies adopt a climate-friendly approach.

The post Amundi enhances thematic investments for Asia investors appeared first on International Finance.