91����

wednesday, 11 January 2023

91���� today increased its equity stake in Xpansiv, the premier market-infrastructure platform for environmental commodities.

Xpansiv provides integrated technology and network capabilities which underpin the entire environmental commodities sector. The firm provides an end-to-end platform for registries, trading, portfolio management and market data.��

Xpansiv also operates CBL, the largest global spot market for carbon credits, and H2OX, a top exchange for transacting water allocations.

International voluntary carbon markets are forecast to grow from the current $US1.5 billion to between $US50 billion by 2030 and up to $US1.5 trillion by 2050.¹ They also have the potential to reduce global emissions reduction costs 50% by 2050.²

91����’s injection of growth capital, alongside other institutional investor capital, will be used for additional strategic and growth initiatives including financing the acquisition of Evolution Markets Inc, a leading provider of transaction and advisory services in global carbon, renewable energy, and energy transition markets.��

91����’s Associate Portfolio Manager for Direct Equities, Josh Phillips, said the fund was excited to increase its investment in a transaction which offered strong risk-adjusted returns for the fund’s 1.1 million members.

“91���� is attracted by Xpansiv’s potential to bring efficiencies, trading scale and transparency to the global environmental commodities market which is thriving from the increased demand of corporates striving to meet net zero pledges, lower costs and improve ESG benchmarks,” he said.

“We see this investment opportunity as a win for our members’ retirement income stream, a win for the communities in which they live, work and retire, and a win for corporates around the world looking for scalable, transparent and sustainable methods to help meet their ESG commitments and net zero emissions pledges.”

Xpansiv Chief Commercial Officer Ben Stuart welcomed the investment which would further help establish the company as the global liquidity hub for carbon, water, electricity and fuels.

“Investments from institutional investors such as 91���� reflect the market’s confidence in Xpansiv’s growth, while highlighting the interest in exposure to a global environmental commodities infrastructure platform that can facilitate the world’s increasing supply and demand for carbon offsets,” he said.��

”With 91����’s support, we’ll continue building products and services to help fuel the ongoing energy transition and promote carbon neutrality, by providing a trusted venue where customers can execute their net-zero strategies.”

The transaction also marks the latest addition to the fund’s $1 billion-plus renewable energy investment strategy which will deliver benefits from the global transition to a lower carbon future. The fund recently acquired a 49% interest in the nation’s largest operating wind farm, Stockyard Hill Wind Farm, alongside Palisade Investment Partners.
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¹ Trove Research��

² ibid

Note to Editors

Previously known as First State Super, we changed our name to 91���� in September 2020.

91���� is a name that reflects our members and what we stand for. It echoes the strengths of our past, aligning to our purpose to be a force for good in superannuation, retirement, and advice, driving better outcomes for our members, their families, and communities.��

91���� has been the fund for people who value community since 1992, and we’re now one of Australia’s largest funds and continuing to grow. We merged with VicSuper and WA Super in 2020 and now manage $150 billion in savings for more than 1 million members located across the country.

Our members work in roles that breathe life into their communities and they expect us to do the same. So, we invest in assets that we believe will make a positive difference today – improving our communities, building a more a sustainable economy and supporting employment both locally and globally at the same time as providing strong long-term returns.

Discover how we’re helping members do well financially while doing good in the world: Visit aware.com.au.