Quintet Private Bank, headquartered in Luxembourg and operating in 50 European cities, today introduced the world’s first multi-asset, climate-neutral investment fund. Essential Portfolio Selection (EPS) Quintet Earth, a UCITS fund, combines equal exposure to green bonds and low-carbon equities, offsetting associated carbon emissions through reforestation activities.

Quintet Earth, which has been launched with some €280 million in assets, generates real-world impact without sacrificing performance.  

All green bond proceeds are exclusively invested in projects designed to generate positive environmental benefits, while the basket of low-carbon equities is associated with 70% less carbon than conventional equities. The carbon emissions associated with those equities are offset through the annual purchase of carbon credits derived from community reforestation projects – removing carbon from the atmosphere and supporting sustainable development.

Replicating the Bloomberg MSCI Global Green Bond and MSCI World Low Carbon Equity Target indices, with a passive structure, Quintet Earth is managed by DWS, one of the world's leading asset managers, with €880 billion of assets under management and a deep environmental, social and governance focus.

Quintet Earth is a liquid, multi-currency fund, with daily trading, and has a recommended 3-5 year holding period. Both institutional and retail share classes are available within a regulated and diversified fund structure that is transparently priced. Performance – including green bond use-of-proceeds and community reforestation benefits – is reported monthly.

Carbon offset activities are managed in partnership with myclimate, a global leader in voluntary CO?-compensation measures. Myclimate is a non-profit organization that currently supports more than 125 climate-protection projects in 37 countries.

“We firmly believe that companies that are better prepared for the impact of climate change on their business – which build resiliency and carefully manage associated risks – are better positioned for growth,” said Quintet Group CEO Jakob Stott. “Quintet Earth reflects that core belief, in full alignment with our ambition to be the most trusted fiduciary of family wealth.

“Quintet Earth also captures something even deeper and more meaningful: the urgent necessity to build a cleaner and healthier world,” said Stott. “In service to our clients and together with our partners, we are committed to the long-term success of Quintet Earth – and to ceaseless innovation in sustainable finance.”

“Quintet Earth makes a simple promise: Generate competitive long-term, risk-adjusted returns while simultaneously combating climate change,” said James Purcell, Group Head of Sustainable Investment at Quintet, which is a signatory to the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment and a member of Climate Action 100+.

“The structure of the fund is intentionally easy to understand because we know that, when it comes to sustainable investing, everyone is tired of navigating a jungle of jargon,” said Purcell. “The fund stands apart because it is entirely transparent, with an accessible ‘reduce, transform and remove’ framework.

He concluded: “Quintet Earth makes a clear statement about our firm and the road we will continue to travel: putting clients first, delivering performance and safeguarding our shared future.”

Simon Klein, Global Head of Passive Sales at DWS, commented: “DWS has a long history of providing efficient index tracking solutions. We are pleased to deploy that expertise in support of Quintet’s new fund, which we’re sure will be a great success.”

“Sustainable investing is a critical driver of transforming to a cleaner and better world,” said Kathrin Dellantonio, Department Head of Corporate Partnerships and member of myclimate's Management Committee. “Offering a transparent solution that contributes to this long-term transformation, Quintet is also supporting impactful, nature-based carbon-capture projects. We are delighted to be their climate protection partner of choice.”