Blackrock launches iShares sustainable index range

Blackrock has launched six ESG index funds under its iShares brand, which it says are a response to the increasing demand from UK investors for climate-related products.

The UK-domiciled funds will invest in equities which aim to reduce global carbon emissions by 30 per cent, while aligning to their benchmarks. 

Blackrock said it was aiming to address the gap in the market for sustainable transition-aligned indexes.

It worked with Morningstar to design the indices, which use 10 “exclusionary screens” to ensure they do not expose the funds to “controversial activities”. 

These include companies involved in producing alcohol, gambling and adult entertainment, as well as those which have a severe score on Morningstar’s “controversy score”, which is maintained by ratings agency Sustainalytics.

Manuela Sperandeo, head of sustainable indexing EMEA, for Blackrock, said investors across the country were turning to solutions that enable them to incorporate ESG considerations into their standard portfolios. 

“These new sustainable, core index building blocks allow investors to build low-cost, global equity portfolios with the flexibility to adjust exposures according to their asset allocation needs.”

 New fund prices

Source: Morningstar 

Blackrock’s sustainable ETF and index fund assets under management currently sit at $246bn (£181bn).

The company expects the current levels of indexes within portfolios (which sits at 10 to 20 per cent presently) to double over the next three years, allowing investors access to low-cost strategies.

sally.hickey@ft.com