London-based Osmosis Investment Management has launched an exchange traded fund designed to profit from anti-climate change investment.

The Osmosis Climate Solutions ETF will invest in sectors such as building efficiency and renewable energy via the Osmosis Climate Solutions Index - developed in partnership with HSBC's Quantitative Techniques business.

The index comprises 100 companies for which 50 per cent of earnings are from products or services focused on the efficient use of natural resources and the mitigation of climate change. The largest number of stocks are from waste management companies (16 per cent) while solar, wind and hydro-electric/geothermal power sources have a lesser presence - at nine, six and four per cent respectively.

“Climate change technology is not only about sustainable energy production. Energy efficiency, resource management, pollution control and low carbon financing all play significant roles in both the size and breadth of investment opportunities,” said Ben Dear, partner at Osmosis Investment Management.

The majority of stocks are from Asia, 37 per cent, followed by the US, 31 per cent, and Europe at 26 per cent. Osmosis claims that the ETF will benefit from a decreasing reliance on by these region’s economies on fossil fuels. However, only one per cent of the index’s investment is in carbon trading, a programme whereby nations can buy or sell emission permits.

“Transition towards a low carbon economy is inevitable. Climate change will be a significant driver of economic growth in future years. This is a global issue from which global investment opportunities are arising,” said June Aitken, Osmosis partner.