The BNP Paribas Green Bond Trust (‘Green Bond Trust’), distributed in Australia and New Zealand by BNP Paribas Asset Management Australia Limited (‘BNPP AMAU’), has received a ‘recommended’ rating from Lonsec (January 2022) as adviser interest in the strategy continues to grow. This is the second positive researcher rating the Green Bond Trust has received in recent months; following SQM Research’s ‘Superior’ 4-star rating for the same Trust in November 2021.
Lonsec is one of Australia’s leading research houses with a rigorous ratings and review process. In their review of the Green Bond Trust, Lonsec highlights the highly credentialed investment team and their previous experience managing green bond strategies. The review also notes the team’s robust and structured process of integrating credit research, ESG screening and portfolio construction. BNP Paribas Asset Management’s efforts in assessing green bonds, as well as post-issuance engagement and reporting are also cited as being very strong.
The BNP Paribas Green Bond Trust is managed by Head of Euro Multi Strategy Fixed Income, Arnaud-Guilhem Lamy, and further supported by BNP Paribas Asset Management’s dedicated Global Multi-Strategy Fixed Income team. The Green Bond Trust invests in global green bonds, a category of fixed income used to finance projects designed to mitigate or address climate change issues; and leverages on a proprietary integrated engagement approach to identify investments expected to have the most positive environmental impact.
Commenting on the Lonsec Trust rating, BNP Paribas Asset Management Australia Chief Executive Officer David Grybas said: “It is pleasing that the BNP Paribas Green Bond Trust has received a second quality rating that reflects our investment team’s commitment to the market. We believe green bonds are the ultimate impact investment to specifically finance projects that are designed to mitigate and tackle climate change.”
The BNP Paribas Green Bond Trust is an Australian domiciled investment vehicle available to both Australian and New Zealand investors. The minimum investment amount is AUD 25,000.
The BNP Paribas EARTH Trust also received a ‘recommended’ rating from Zenith Investment Partners in February 2022. In the product assessment report, Zenith highlights that the Trust is a unique offering that can be highly appealing for environmentally focused investors.
In addition to the researcher ratings, the BNP Paribas Green Bond Trust and the BNP Paribas EARTH Trust (‘EARTH Trust’) were certified by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (‘RIAA’) in December 2021. Both Trusts received the Responsible Investment Certification Symbol which is the leading mark for distinguishing quality responsible, ethical and impact investment products and services in Australia and New Zealand.
In September 2021, BNPP AMAU launched three Trusts into the Australian and New Zealand market; the BNP Paribas Green Bond Trust (‘Green Bond Trust’), the BNP Paribas EARTH Trust (‘EARTH Trust’) and the BNP Paribas China Equity Trust (‘China Equity Trust’). All three Trusts adhere to BNP Paribas Asset Management’s firm-wide Global Sustainability Strategy which ensures ESG principles are fully incorporated in the investment process. All Trusts are further supported and informed by the BNP Paribas Asset Management Sustainability Centre, a team of 28 dedicated investment professionals located in Paris, New York and Hong Kong.
BNP Paribas Asset Management has been a pioneer in sustainability since 2002 with investment expertise in managing high conviction strategies and specialist thematic solutions focused on making a positive contribution to the environment and society.
Equity Trustees Limited (“Equity Trustees”) ABN 46 004 031 298 | AFSL 240975 is the Responsible Entity for the BNP Paribas Green Bond Trust (“Green Bond Trust”) (ARSN 651 112 659), the BNP Paribas EARTH Trust (“EARTH Trust”) (ARSN 641 508 705) and the BNP Paribas China Equity Trust (“China Equity Trust”) (ARSN 641 511 757). Equity Trustees is a subsidiary of EQT Holdings Limited ABN 22 607 797 615, a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: EQT). BNP Paribas Asset Management Australia Ltd (“BNPP AMAU”) ABN 78 008 576 449 | AFSL 223418 is the investment manager of the Trusts. This publication has been prepared by BNPP AMAU to provide you with general information only. In preparing this information, we did not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It is not intended to take the place of professional advice and you should not take action on specific issues in reliance on this information. Neither BNPP AMAU, Equity Trustees nor any of their related parties, their employees or directors, provide any warranty of accuracy or reliability in relation to such information or accept any liability to any person who relies on it. Past performance should not be taken as an indicator of future performance. Investors should obtain a copy of the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making a decision about whether to invest in these products. The individual PDS for each Trust is available from www.bnpparibas-am.com/en-au or from your adviser.
New Zealand financial services licensing and registration requirements do not apply to BNPP AMAU as it does not provide financial services to retail clients in New Zealand and does not have a place of business in New Zealand.
The BNP Paribas Green Bond Trust, BNP Paribas EARTH Trust and BNP Paribas China Equity Trust ’s Target Market Determination are available here www.bnpparibas-am.com/en-au. A Target Market Determination is a document which describes who this financial product is likely to be appropriate for (i.e. the target market), and any conditions around how the product can be distributed to investors. It also describes the events or circumstances where the Target Market Determination for this financial product may need to be reviewed.
For more information regarding the Trust please call the Client Service Team on 1800 267 726 (Australia) or +612 9619 6041 or visit our website www.bnpparibas-am.com/en-au
The rating issued 12/01/2022 is published by Lonsec Research Pty Ltd ABN 11 151 658 561 AFSL 421 445 (Lonsec). Ratings are general advice only, and have been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider your personal circumstances, read the product disclosure statement and seek independent financial advice before investing. The rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any product. Past performance information is not indicative of future performance. Ratings are subject to change without notice and Lonsec assumes no obligation to update. Lonsec uses objective criteria and receives a fee from the Fund Manager. Visit lonsec.com.au for ratings information and to access the full report. © 2021 Lonsec. All rights reserved.
The rating contained in this document is issued by SQM Research Pty Ltd ABN 93 122 592 036 AFSL 421913. SQM Research is an investment research firm that undertakes research on investment products exclusively for its wholesale clients, utilising a proprietary review and star rating system. The SQM Research star rating system is of a general nature and does not take into account the particular circumstances or needs of any specific person. The rating may be subject to change at any time. Only licensed financial advisers may use the SQM Research star rating system in determining whether an investment is appropriate to a person’s particular circumstances or needs. You should read the product disclosure statement and consult a licensed financial adviser before making an investment decision in relation to this investment product. SQM Research receives a fee from the Fund Manager for the research and rating of the managed investment scheme.
The Zenith Investment Partners (ABN 27 103 132 672, AFS Licence 226872) (“Zenith”) rating (assigned 16 February 2022) referred to in this piece is limited to “General Advice” (s766B Corporations Act 2001) for Wholesale clients only. This advice has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any individual, including target markets of financial products, where applicable, and is subject to change at any time without prior notice. It is not a specific recommendation to purchase, sell or hold the relevant product(s). Investors should seek independent financial advice before making an investment decision and should consider the appropriateness of this advice in light of their own objectives, financial situation and needs. Investors should obtain a copy of, and consider the PDS or offer document before making any decision and refer to the full Zenith Product Assessment available on the Zenith website. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Zenith usually charges the product issuer, fund manager or related party to conduct Product Assessments. Full details regarding Zenith’s methodology, ratings definitions and regulatory compliance are available on our Product Assessments and at Fund Research Regulatory Guidelines.
The BNP Paribas Green Bond Trust (‘Green Bond Trust’) and the BNP Paribas EARTH Trust (‘EARTH Trust’) have been certified by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia according to the strict operational and disclosure practices required under the Responsible Investment Certification Program. See www.responsiblereturns.com.au for details.1
1. The Responsible Investment Certification Program does not constitute financial product advice. Neither the Certification Symbol nor RIAA recommends to any person that any financial product is a suitable investment or that returns are guaranteed. Appropriate professional advice should be sought prior to making an investment decision. RIAA does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.
