Index to track stocks in the cleantech industry

An index to track the performance of more than 75 Australian-listed stocks in the cleantech industry with a combined market capitalisation of more than $13 billion has been launched in Melbourne.

The ACT Australian Cleantech Index will provide investors with a vehicle to diversify into the emerging cleantech investment category. The index is an initiative of Australian Cleantech Consulting (ACT), which provides assessment and investment analysis for the cleantech sector.

John O’Brien, managing director of ACT, said concerns about climate change and energy consumption have led to greater interest in the cleantech industry and an increase in the economic value of clean technologies.

“For the first time, we will be able to provide a picture of the Australian cleantech industry’s growth in a single measure,” O’Brien said.

“In 2007, a trialled ACT Australian Cleantech Index outperformed both the ASX 200 as well as the ASX Small Ords,” he said.

“The growth of the renewable energy sector in Australia will be driven by the federal government’s commitment to achieve 20% of energy generation from renewable sources by 2020.”

The ACT Australian Cleantech Index monitors companies across 14 industry sectors: solar; wind; biofuel; water; waste management/recycling; energy efficiency, green buildings, biomaterials; energy storage, fuel cells; wave, tidal hydro; biogas generation; vehicle technologies; geothermal; carbon trading; environmental service providers; and ‘other’ additional companies providing sustainable outcomes.

The ACT Australian Cleantech Index will be updated each month and published on the ACT website.