Candriam has added to its thematic global equity offering with a fund designed to address the current water crisis.
The SFDR Article 9 Candriam Sustainable Equity Water fund by invests in companies seeking to reduce pressures on water resources caused by human activities through cleaner and more efficient solutions.
It was devised in response to growing demand for robust water infrastructure and value chain. The actively-managed fund adopts thematic screening, ESG screening and in-depth thematic analysis, which are underpinned by a bespoke water taxonomy developed through multifaceted data sources and artificial intelligence. The portfolio includes both water solutions enablers and leaders, creating a broad spectrum of investment opportunities, the firm said
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The fund will be co-managed by Bastien Dublanc and David Czupryna, both senior fund managers, with wider support from Candriam’s dedicated ESG team. It is available for distribution in Luxembourg, Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and The Netherlands, and will also be available in the UK in the coming weeks.
According to the US Geological Survey, only 1% of the Earth’s water readily available for human consumption, meaning the world is facing a water shortage exacerbated by the intensifying impacts of climate change. Without immediate action, the world is set to face a water shortage of 40% by 2050.
Johan Van der Biest, co- head of thematic global equity at Candriam, commented: “Water, indispensable for survival, is at the centre of a growing global imperative. The launch of this fund provides sustainably conscious investors with an opportunity to be part of the solution to an intensifying global challenge. As the water crisis escalates, the market of solutions working to mitigate these challenges is growing in tandem – the global water market is expected to exceed $1.1trn by 2030. Investors also benefit from access to a growing market opportunity backed by our extensive experience in sustainable and thematic investing.”
