BNP Paribas Asset Management (BNPP AM) announced today the launch of the BNP Paribas Easy ECPI Global ESG Blue Economy UCITS ETF, the first ETF focused on the blue economy theme.

According to the World Bank, the Blue Economy is defined as the “sustainable use of ocean resources for improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health.” Blue economy-related activities include renewable energy, fisheries, maritime transport, tourism, and waste management.

Robert-Alexandre Poujade, ESG Analyst in BNPP AM’s Sustainability Centre, said:

“The ecosystem of the ocean has characteristics and resources that are essential to our well-being and to the prosperity of the global economy, although their sustainability is now under significant threat.  Whether for tourism employment or offshore wind, the ocean is also a formidable reservoir of biodiversity to be preserved at all costs to maintain our food security and our health, and to protect our coastal areas.  It is also one of our best allies in the fight against climate change, capturing nearly 30% of the CO2 emissions that human activity emits.”

BNPP AM’s new ETF aims to track the ECPI Global ESG Blue Economy Index. The index consists of 50 companies, selected for their participation in the blue economy and listed according to five categories: coastal livelihood (protection, eco-tourism), energy & resources (offshore wind, marine biotech, wave & tidal), fisheries & seafood, pollution reduction (recycling/waste management, environmental services) and maritime transport. The index excludes companies involved in systematic violations of the UN Global Compact principle and arms production, as well as companies that derive more than 10% of their revenues from tobacco, thermal coal extraction or unconventional oil & gas. The index conforms to UN Sustainable Development Goal (‘SDG’) 14: ‘Life below water’.

Isabelle Bourcier, Head of Quantitative & Index Management at BNPP AM, said:

“The launch of the first blue economy ETF globally is a logical continuation of our strong commitment to develop ESG systematic approach that we initiated more than 12 years ago.  It reaffirms BNPP AM’s desire to be a pioneer in ESG investment management and highlights our ambition to be ever more innovative in the responsible investment themes that we offer to our clients.”

Olivier Héreil, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management at BNP Paribas Cardif, said:

“BNP Paribas Cardif made the decision to invest in this blue economy ETF because as a long-term investor, we want to contribute to a greener future.  We believe that protecting the world’s oceans and marine and coastal ecosystems – and more broadly, biodiversity – is absolutely critical.  Our policy of responsible investing takes these issues into account, enabling us to have a positive impact on society and the environment.”

The new BNP Paribas Easy ECPI Global ESG Blue Economy UCITS ETF is listed on Xetra and Euronext and has a TER of 0.30%.