Investing in sustainable growth: Energy transition

Climate change is real and urgent. Arguably, it even presents an existential threat. The silver lining is that the call for climate change has simultaneously opened up new investment opportunities.

The issues raised by global warming and environmental questions more broadly require new technologies and sources of energy. Companies can respond to this problem by conceiving innovative solutions for reducing CO2 emissions, or by disrupting existing market structures. It has been shown that investment opportunities that incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria can yield returns, so that is something we look for.

Energy transition is a focal point to the need for greater sustainability and there are three main sub-themes:

  • Renewable energy (production)
  • Energy technology and efficiency
  • Energy infrastructure and storage

In addition, the demand for energy, food and water is set to grow significantly over the next 20 years as the global population increases. Meeting this demand while reducing carbon emissions and addressing environmental challenges creates an extraordinary investment opportunity.

THE MACRO OPPORTUNITY

Indeed, dealing with coronavirus has on the one hand served as a reminder of other global and existential problems. The global population is forecasted to grow by 2 billion to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, and population growth together with rising incomes will be increasing demand for energy, food and water by 35-50% by that year, with all the additional emissions that go with it. These issues have not gone away, COVID-19 or no COVID-19.

Source: 1. The United Nations’ 2019 Revision of World Population Prospects, June 2019. 2. Global Energy & CO2 Status Report 2018, The latest trends in energy and emissions in 2018, from International Energy Agency (IEA), March 2019

On the other hand, and that is encouraging, the pandemic has shown that it is possible to take far-reaching measures fairly quickly and to act in a coordinated, even global, way in the face of a threat. Such an approach is also needed to deal with interconnected climate issues such as demand for resources and the need for decarbonisation that will involve tens of billions of dollars.

The $29trn dollar opportunity

Source: Perspectives for the Energy Transition, Investment needs for a Low-Carbon Energy System, March 2017

GROWTH, GROWTH, GROWTH – FOR NOW AND THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE

It is important to note that there is a clear growth opportunity. While the global policy response is becoming more unified, the problem is also becoming bigger. The response has to grow accordingly.

To take an example, the global offshore wind market is set to expand significantly over the next two decades. The International Energy Agency is forecasting 13% growth per year and a 15-fold increase in capacity by 2040. This is expected to become a USD 1 trillion industry over the next two decades.1

The European Union has set hydrogen – a source of clean energy – as a key instrument for its Green Deal objectives for 2050, indicating that cumulative investments in renewable hydrogen in Europe could be up to €180-470bn ($213-556bn) by 2050.2 Separately, it is estimated that turnover in the hydrogen economy will jump to €140bn3 by 2030 from €2bn currently.

So, these are long-term opportunities and the solutions to the environmental challenges require large-scale investments: tens of billions of dollars are needed.

OUTLOOK

There is an important political event happening this year: The US presidential election in November. Should the Democrats win, we expect a significant boost for sustainable energy companies as the party is generally more environmentally friendly than the Republicans.

Looking ahead, we also expect a great deal in terms of improvement in renewable energy storage. Ever-better batteries make it possible to store sustainable energy more efficiently and for longer, which should help boost this segment’s growth.

Source:
1. https://www.iea.org/reports/offshore-wind-outlook-2019
2. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_1257
3. https://www.pv-magazine.com/2020/06/19/leaked-eu-hydrogen-strategy-eyes-e140-billion-turnover-by-2030/

Note :
Any views expressed here are those of the author as of the date of publication, are based on available information, and are subject to change without notice. Individual portfolio management teams may hold different views and may take different investment decisions for different clients. The views expressed in this podcast do not in any way constitute investment advice.
The value of investments and the income they generate may go down as well as up and it is possible that investors will not recover their initial outlay. Past performance is no guarantee for future returns.
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Disclaimer:
Note to Hong Kong Investors: This material is issued by BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Asia Limited and has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong. Note to Malaysia Investors: This material is issued by BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Malaysia Sdn Bhd in Malaysia and has not been reviewed by Securities Commission Malaysia. Note to Singapore Investors: This material is issued by BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Singapore Limited (Company Registration No. 199308471D) in Singapore and has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.This material is produced for information purposes only and does not constitute: 1. an offer to buy nor a solicitation to sell, nor shall it form the basis of or be relied upon in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever or 2. investment advice. Opinions included in this material constitute the judgement of the Companies at the time specified and may be subject to change without notice. The Companies are not obliged to update or alter the information or opinions contained within this material. While all efforts are taken to ensure the accuracy of the information and data included in this material, no warranty is given and no liability shall be accepted in the event of any error, inaccuracy or discrepancy of such information and data. Investors should consult their own legal and tax advisors in respect of legal, accounting, domicile and tax advice prior to investing in the financial instrument(s) in order to make an independent determination of the suitability and consequences of an investment therein, if permitted. Please note that different types of investments, if contained within this material, involve varying degrees of risk and there can be no assurance that any specific investment may either be suitable, appropriate or profitable for an investor’s investment portfolio. Investments involve risks. Given the economic and market risks, there can be no assurance that the financial instrument(s) will achieve its/their investment objectives. Returns may be affected by investment strategies or objectives, markets and economic conditions. The different strategies applied to the financial instruments may have a significant effect on the results portrayed in this material. Past performance and any economic and market trends/forecasts are not a guide to current or future performance and the value of an investment may go down as well as up. Investors may not get back the amount they originally invested.