Green Energy Indexes & Financial Markets: An In-Depth Look Document de Travail Capucine Nobletz Working Paper 2021-13 EconomiX - UMR7235 Université Paris Nanterre Bâtiment G - Maurice Allais, 200, Avenue de la République 92001 Nanterre cedex Email :
[email protected] Green Energy Indexes & Financial Markets: An In-Depth Look Capucine NOBLETZ∗ May 13, 2021 Abstract This paper aims to provide better transparency around green energy indexes. After selecting green energy indexes that meet the established criteria, we build a database listing the companies in these indexes and compare them with a financial benchmark. Our study allows investors to adjust their hedging horizons with green concerns, to pave the way for further academic analyses, or issue a new call to public authorities on the need to redirect financial flows towards greener activities. Key words: Financial markets, Green energy indexes. JEL classification: G15, Q42. Acknowledgements: The author would like to thank Valérie Mignon and her colleagues at the EconomiX laboratory for their availability and precious advice. ∗EconomiX-CNRS, UPL, Univ Paris Nanterre, CNRS, 92000 Nanterre France. Emails:
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[email protected] Introduction Scientific researchers are unanimous: it is urgent to limit global warming to less than two degrees relative to the pre-industrial level to curb its effects on the ecosystem and humankind. The rise in temperatures, precipitations, melting ice, or the increase in ocean acidification have drastically changed the environment and, therefore, the life cycle of land and marine species. Human is impacted, global warming threatens food security, risks aggravating health problems and generating migratory movements. The poorest countries and populations are the most at risk, thus increasing existing inequalities (IPCC, 2014).