Hedging financial and environmental risk in portfolios: constructing and evaluating eco-funds. (2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nakayashiki, Kan; Zang, Wei; Kumagai, Satoshi
• Is Part Of: Asian journal of management science and applications. Volume 3:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 38
• Page End: 49
• Publication Date: 2017
• Subjects: environmental risks -- beta-value -- portfolio management -- eco-funds -- economic screening -- eco performance screening; Management science -- Asia -- Periodicals; 658.009505
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-8683

Abstract

Reducing their environmental load has recently become a key concern to firms. Many financial products that invest in companies with a strong environmental consciousness, such as the Nikko Eco-fund, have been released. However, choosing an ecological fund based on an interview or questionnaire is a qualitative process, as an ecological fund does not reflect a firm's environmental performance, nor reduces environmental risk. This study calculates an environmental beta value (environmental risk) using emissions data on environmental load material, applying eco performance and economic screening. We, then, decide on investment brands and ratios using the environmental beta value and efficient frontier. Finally, we propose an environmental portfolio that reduces environmental and financial risks. This methodology enables to assess environmental risk in a quantitative manner. Two brands of company that simultaneously reduce environmental and financial risks are identified.