Thematic and ESG investment strategies are expected to play a significant role in the future growth of passive investing in Europe, according to financial research firm Cerulli Associates.

European professional investors have indicated a significant appetite for the introduction of defined outcome ETFs on the continent, according to research from London-based white-label ETF issuer HANetf.

Amundi is set to launch an ESG version of its blockbuster French equity ETF – the €1.3 billion Amundi CAC 40 UCITS ETF (C4D FP). The fund will track the CAC 40 ESG Index and is set to list on Euronext Paris in the coming weeks. Fannie Wurtz, Head of ETF, Indexing & Smart Beta at Amundi, commented: “We strongly believe that ETFs and index management have a key role to play in the democratization of access to responsible investing”.

UBS has launched a new suite of sustainability-focused equity ETFs on SIX Swiss Exchange and Xetra which combine the inclusion of broad ESG factors with a targeted low carbon investment approach.

Paris-based alternative asset manager Melanion Capital has obtained approval from Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), France’s securities regulator, for an ETF tracking an index with up to 90% correlation with the price of bitcoin.

BlackRock has expanded its suite of socially responsible ETFs in Europe with the launch of a pair of European equity strategies that are aligned with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Lyxor Asset Management has expanded its range of sustainable fixed income funds with the launch of the world’s first ETF tracking green bonds from eurozone sovereign issuers.

DWS has launched a pair of ETFs on Xetra which provide investors with access to the rapidly growing market for green corporate bonds.

BNP Paribas Asset Management has added to its lineup of Paris-aligned low-carbon ETFs with the launch of the BNP Paribas Easy Low Carbon 300 World PAB UCITS ETF on Euronext Paris (LCWLD FP) and Xetra (LOWD GR).

BNP Paribas has introduced a new ETF – the BNP Paribas Easy ESG Growth Europe UCITS ETF – providing exposure to European growth stocks with attractive ESG attributes.