Proposed revisions to the Equator Principles 3 include human rights, social risk, and climate change. By James Barrett, Paul A. Davies, Joel H. Mack, and Michael D. Green The Equator Principles Association (EP Association) recently released the draft text of the Equator Principles (EPs) version 4 (EP4). The EP Association intend the draft text to … Continue Reading
Green Finance Strategy builds on the Green Finance Taskforce report, highlighting the City of London’s role in delivering a green economy. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green On July 2, 2019, the UK government published its Green Finance Strategy (Strategy), subtitled “Transforming Finance for a Greener Future.” The document outlines how the finance … Continue Reading
Banks to disclose climate alignment of shipping portfolios with IMO’s strategy of 50% emissions reduction by 2050. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green On June 18, 2019, a group of 11 banks — including Citi, Societe Generale, DNB, Citigroup, ABN Amro, and ING — announced the adoption of the Poseidon Principles (PPs). The … Continue Reading
Three new publications provide issuers with key guidance on Green, Social, and Sustainability Bonds. By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and Aaron E. Franklin The Executive Committee for the Green Bond Principles recently published three documents providing key guidance complementing the Green Bond Principles (GBPs), the Social Bond Principles (SBPs), and the Sustainability Bond … Continue Reading
The guidelines, along with three new reports on green finance, demonstrate the European Commission’s intent in respect of meeting its Paris Agreement targets. By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green and Clément Pradille On June 18, 2019, the European Commission (Commission) published new guidelines on corporate climate-related information reporting, as well as three new reports … Continue Reading
The seven-week inquiry will assess the potential impact of decarbonization on the UK economy, and examine opportunities for the growth of green finance. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green On World Environment Day, June 5, 2019, the UK Treasury Committee (the Committee) launched an inquiry into the decarbonization of the UK economy and … Continue Reading
Recent studies show ESG implementation in mainstream finance has improved significantly, presenting opportunities for sustainable, long-term returns. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green In recent years, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) implementation has transformed from a niche to mainstream activity, as asset managers, asset owners, and pension funds increasingly recognize the importance of … Continue Reading
Mark Carney’s latest speech discusses the importance of green finance in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. By Paul A. Davies and Michael Green In September 2015, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney delivered his milestone Tragedy of the Horizon (Tragedy) speech. This speech warned that climate change will lead to financial crises, falling living standards, … Continue Reading
A new regulation will detail how financial market participants and financial advisors must incorporate ESG risks and opportunities in their procedures. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green The European Union (EU) is committed to being the global leader in fighting climate change and implementing the Paris Agreement. Since climate change is increasingly viewed … Continue Reading
Companies with stronger ESG standards usually perform better financially, according to recent research. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green A recent report by Axioma, provider of enterprise market risk and portfolio analytics solutions, found that companies with better environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) standards “…often outperform the market” and exceed their financial … Continue Reading
Initiative will advance the UK’s Paris Agreement targets by serving as a “one-stop shop for world-leading climate science, and for capital.” By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green UK Chancellor, Philip Hammond, has announced plans to launch a Green Finance Institute (GFI), through funding from both the UK government and the City of London Corporation. … Continue Reading
Increasingly, financial institutions are looking to align business decisions with environmental principles. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green ABN AMRO, ING, and Rabobank have teamed up to publish guidelines for investing in the circular economy. The banks have designed the guidelines to help financial services companies around the globe transition towards a circular … Continue Reading
Latest iteration of popular guidelines continue with voluntary, market-driven approach. By Paul A. Davies and Aaron E. Franklin The annual update of the Green Bond Principles (now also including the Social Bond Principles, and the Sustainability Bond Guidelines, collectively, the Principles) on June 14, 2018 created few surprises. The Principles, highly influential in the sustainable … Continue Reading
Measures aim to establish consistent criteria for sustainable investments, as well as clear market standards for investors. By Paul A. Davies and Aaron E. Franklin Overview The European Commission (EC) has set out its first proposal for “concrete actions” to help the EU financial sector take the lead in establishing a greener economy and supporting … Continue Reading
The action plan recommends leveraging London’s leading role in global green finance to grow green opportunities. By Paul A. Davies The Green Finance Taskforce’s first report, “Accelerating Green Finance,” advises the UK government on how to achieve important green finance goals, carbon targets in relation to the Paris Agreement. The report, published on 28 March, … Continue Reading
The Green Loan Principles may help sustainable investment growth By Paul A. Davies and Aaron E. Franklin The Loan Market Association and the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association recently announced the “Green Loan Principles” joint project. This two-page document, announced on March 21, 2018, seeks to stimulate the de minimis green loan market by following … Continue Reading
Recommendations signal a major shift for Europe’s financial system through both legislative and non-legislative changes. By Paul A. Davies and Aaron E. Franklin The European Commission (EC) has revealed its action plan for mobilizing the financial system to encourage a “greener and cleaner economy.”[1] The plan, which was released on 8 March, states that it … Continue Reading
By Aaron Franklin The United States has the deepest, most liquid capital markets in the world, attracting issuers from across the globe. To sell to US investors, these issuers must comply with US securities laws, entailing a more rigorous diligence and disclosure process. Issuers must weigh the benefits of increased demand against the additional costs, … Continue Reading
New requirements build on China’s rapid progress in green finance to increase transparency across the market By Paul Davies, Bridget Reineking and Andrew Westgate The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), in collaboration with China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection, has introduced new requirements that, by 2020, will mandate all listed companies and bond issuers to disclose environmental, … Continue Reading
By Paul Davies, Bridget Reineking, and Andrew Westgate China has issued numerous green policies in an effort to support President Xi’s signature “One Belt, One Road” initiative, which aims to mitigate environmental and social risks arising from China’s overseas lending. Although few of these policies are legally binding, they reflect China’s heightened focus on environmental … Continue Reading
By James Barrett, Paul Davies and Michael Green The Equator Principle Association has committed to revise the Equator Principles (EPs) for the first time since 2013. The EPs provide a voluntary risk management framework for determining, assessing, and managing environmental and social risk for certain project finance transactions. More than 90 financial institutions in 37 … Continue Reading
By Paul Davies, Bridget Reineking, and Andrew Westgate The Chinese government has announced a US$4 trillion investment in developing infrastructure globally under the “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI). Under the BRI the Chinese government will spend US$750 billion on overseas investments in the next five years alone. Although China often cites the BRI as the … Continue Reading
By Paul Davies, Bridget Reineking, and Andrew Westgate Since establishing the People’s Bank of China’s Green Finance Task Force in 2014, China has encouraged green financing mechanisms through a variety of pioneering initiatives. For example, the country has designated five green finance pilot zones, within which financial institutions are incentivised to provide credit and special … Continue Reading
By Paul Davies, Bridget Reineking, and Andrew Westgate President Xi has announced the creation of a new environmental bureau to oversee China’s state-owned natural resources. Establishment of the new bureau is one of the most notable outcomes of the recent meeting of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party, and follows Xi’s pronouncement that … Continue Reading
