Responsible investments

Carbon footprints of funds

A carbon footprint can be measured in several connections. It means the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by an industry, a product or even an individual person. We display the carbon footprints of our funds when this information is available for at least 75% of the fund’s investments.

The carbon intensity measure we use gives us a picture of how much carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases have been emitted during the past 12 months by the companies or bond issuers in which the fund invests. The figure is expressed as tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2-e) emissions per million US dollars of the company’s or issuer’s revenue.

The calculation is based on data provided by the companies themselves, most often in their annual reports, and on their emission estimates. Data on the companies’ carbon footprints are collected and provided by MSCI Inc. and ISS Ethix. The carbon footprint figures on our funds pages are updated monthly.

Other greenhouse gases also included

The carbon footprint also includes other greenhouse gases. As some gases affect the climate more than others, greenhouse gases are converted into the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide with the same global warming potential. This measure is called the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e). For example, methane causes 21 times as much global warming as carbon dioxide. A tonne of methane thus corresponds to approximately 22 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Calculating the carbon footprint

Nordea’s calculation model is based on weighted carbon intensity and recommended by the Swedish Investment Fund Association.

In this model, the carbon footprint of each investment is multiplied by a number that represents the investment’s relative proportion of the fund’s size (e.g. 5%).

As the carbon dioxide emissions are compared with the company’s revenue, the model indicates how carbon-intensive the company’s operations are and thus also demonstrates the carbon intensity of the fund’s investments. This enables investors to compare the results of the different funds.

Which funds can be compared?

When the carbon footprints of different funds are compared, it is important to compare only funds with holdings of similar companies investing in the same kinds of markets (emerging markets, for example) and using the same calculation models in the same currency.

Updates, criteria and data

Nordea Asset Management has chosen MSCI Inc. and ISS Ethix to supply the data based on which the carbon footprints of our funds are calculated.

As the investments of the funds change, we update the calculations monthly. This means that the carbon footprint of fund portfolios with a slow turnover rate decreases or increases as the companies’ emissions decrease or increase. On the other hand, if a fund’s turnover rate is high, the carbon footprint may decrease or increase considerably as holdings are bought or sold.

In accordance with the recommendation of the Swedish Investment Fund Association, we calculate the footprint of our funds when the data available on carbon dioxide (or on other greenhouse gas) emissions covers at least 75% of the market value of the fund’s investments.

We publish the carbon footprints of Nordea’s equity, fixed income and balanced funds. There are currently no methods available for calculating the carbon footprints of alternative funds, such as hedge funds. However, we will follow the development of carbon footprint calculation models for this asset class, too, in order to be able to calculate and publish the carbon footprints of alternative funds when it becomes possible.

What is not measured

The carbon footprint is a rough indicator, which reflects a company’s CO2 emissions in proportion to the fund’s ownership. The calculations are not conclusive and they do not include indirect emissions, for example. This is why these calculations should be treated as indicative rather than absolute facts. Despite this, we believe that the carbon footprint is an important tool that enables investors to also consider the climate impact alongside traditional factors, such as risk and return, when selecting a fund to invest in.

It is good to keep in mind that the carbon footprint does not reflect the full environmental impact of an investment because:

• The carbon footprint only covers certain types of emissions. The calculations do not always include indirect emissions from suppliers nor emissions from the use of the company’s products.
• The emission data provided by companies is not always comprehensive.
• The calculations are not available for certain types of investments.
• The carbon footprint does not include information on fossil fuel reserves.
• The calculations do not tell us anything about how well the portfolio is prepared for or how it supports the transition to a low-carbon society.