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The countdown to carbon neutrality: Implications for passive investors

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  • Carta, Nicola
  • Carta, Matteo
  • Rigoni, Ugo

Abstract

In 2019 the European Union (EU) Climate Benchmarks Regulation established a set of standardized emission reduction criteria for financial benchmarks. This study examines the risk-adjusted performance of equity exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking EU Climate Transition Benchmarks (CTBs) and EU Paris-Aligned Benchmarks (PABs). Our findings reveal that, after the implementation of the regulation, equity CTB ETFs have exhibited no significant risk-adjusted performance difference compared to their non-sustainable twin ETFs. Conversely, equity PAB ETFs, which adhere to more stringent environmental standards, have underperformed their non-sustainable counterparts. Our results suggest that stringent emission reduction objectives have a negative effect on investors’ returns.

Suggested Citation

  • Carta, Nicola & Carta, Matteo & Rigoni, Ugo, 2024. "The countdown to carbon neutrality: Implications for passive investors," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 244(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:244:y:2024:i:c:s0165176524005081
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2024.112024
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors

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