.jpg)
NYSE Euronext and Caisse des Dépôts are delighted to announce the launch of BLUENEXT, the international exchange for the environment, operating markets in carbon emission allowances and credits.
This initiative follows up the international agreements calling on developed countries to substantially reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases.
BLUENEXT, in which NYSE Euronext holds a 60% interest while the remaining 40% is held by Caisse des Dépôts, today operates a spot market in CO2 emission allowances that is the European leader in the field, from trading through to worldwide DVP settlement in real time.
BLUENEXT benefits from the international reach of NYSE Euronext and its know-how in market operation, combined with the acknowledged expertise of Caisse des Dépôts in carbon financing, in particular as regard technology for the administration of allowances and registries.
BLUENEXT aims to be a world leader for trading in environment-related instruments and will be pursuing this goal with the international deployment of a comprehensive range of a products and services, by the same token consolidating its user base across both financial and industrial sectors.
BLUENEXT’s1 current spot-market offering will thus be rounded out with a spot market in emission credits2 as soon as connections to international logs are operational.
In the second quarter of 2008, BLUENEXT will also be setting up a futures market with physical delivery of allowances and credits3, a move that will favour overall market liquidity and depth. These derivative products will be cleared through LCH.Clearnet SA.
Finally, BLUENEXT is looking beyond Europe, with North America and Asia prime targets for further international expansion.
BLUENEXT is headed by Serge Harry, the member of NYSE Euronext Management Committee charged with group strategy, who is assisted by Deputy CEO Pierre Ducret, Director of Banking Services at Caisse des Dépôts.
Jean-François Théodore, Deputy Chief Executive and Member of the NYSE Euronext Management Committee, comments: “We are delighted to be joining forces with such a prestigious institution as Caisse des Dépôts for the development of BLUENEXT in a sector where NYSE Euronext, as the world’s leading stock-market group, offers substantial value added. Our shared aim is to make BLUENEXT an acknowledged benchmark for environmental markets with a diversified offering of products and services that has the extended scope needed to match global needs.”
Augustin de Romanet, Chairman & CEO, Caisse des Dépôts, comments: “With NYSE Euronext, BLUENEXT has the backing it needs to become the global environmental exchange. Caisse des Dépôts, which makes the sustainable development a strategic priority, is a full partner in this ambition.”
1 BLUENEXT Spot EUA
2 BLUENEXT Spot CER, subject to regulatory approval
3 BLUENEXT EUA and CER Futures
More information: http://www.bluenext.eu/
About NYSE Euronext
NYSE Euronext, a holding company created by the combination of NYSE Group, Inc. and Euronext N.V., commenced trading on April 4, 2007. NYSE Euronext (NYSE Euronext: NYX) operates the world’s largest and most liquid exchange group and offers the most diverse array of financial products and services. NYSE Euronext, which brings together six cash equities exchanges in five countries and six derivatives exchanges in six countries, is a world leader for listings, trading in cash equities, equity and interest rate derivatives, bonds and the distribution of market data. Representing a combined $30.3 trillion/€21.3 trillion total market capitalization of listed companies and average daily trading value of approximately $139 billion/€103 billion (as of September 30, 2007), NYSE Euronext seeks to provide the highest standards of market quality and integrity, innovative products and services to investors, issuers, and all users of its markets.
About Caisse des Dépôts
Caisse des Dépôts is a long-term investor serving the general interest and the French economy. Its main fields of operation concern the protection and administration of savings and private funds, financing for public housing, regional development and management of public pension plans. It is one of France’s largest institutional investors, with a consolidated balance sheet totaling EUR 200 billion.Caisse des Dépôts makes the sustainable development a strategic priority and contributes to the combat against climate change with investments in three areas: research through its dedicated Mission Climat unit, market structures and carbon-related assets.
