ATP staff reduce own CO2 emissions

Each employee of the $110 billion Danish fund, ATP has saved the environment 300 kilograms of CO2 in one year, according to its first climate change report, which coincides with the fund’s strategic move to focus on climate and environmental considerations within its investment policy.

The report shows ATP’s total CO2 emissions were reduced by 202 tons from 2007 to 2008, equivalent to a 7.4 per cent for the year. The fund entered into partnership with the Carbon Disclosure Project in 2008.

ATP will continue to focus on decreasing CO2 emissions through technology and increased purchase of green electricity.

The fund has decided to increase its focus on climate and environmental considerations in its investment policy with particular focus on the risks associated with unstable weather conditions, temperature increases and changes in precipitation.

The chief executive of the fund, Lars Rohde, said CO2-reducing measures often make good business sense by reducing both costs and risks in the future.

“It is also important to us that companies take a stand on the news business opportunities presented by climate change. That way we can act responsibly towards our members today and future members.”

The property division of the fund, ATP Real Estate, already cooperates with other property funds around
the world to harness solar energy and rain water to make the properties self-sufficient in the longer term.

The fund recently released its investment results, also a good news story, with a positive return of DKK7.5 billion ($1.5 billion) for the first half of the year.

The fund returned positive investment returns on four of five risk classes, only inflation-linked securities, comprising properties and infrastructure ended 1 per cent lower.

The bond portfolio returned 3 per cent, while the equity return came to 9 per cent. However the results cover wide variations: listed domestic equities surged by 39 per cent, while private equities dropped by 10 per cent. The return on credit instruments was 7 per cent, while oil rose by nearly 15 per cent.