Environment, Land & Resources

Category Archives: Green Finance

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Environmental and Social Policy in China: What Will 2020 Hold?

MEE declares full steam ahead on China’s environmental initiatives, including an NGDF, private sector finance, Yangtze River conservation, and the social credit system. By Paul A. Davies and Zoe Liu Xu Bijiu, director general of the general office of China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), has given the clearest signal to date that China’s … Continue Reading

Council of EU Adopts ESG Disclosure and Benchmarks Legislation

The formal adoption reflects the EU’s acknowledgement that a robust system of sustainable finance will be essential to the proposed capital markets union. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green On 8 November 2019, the Council of the EU published a press release announcing the adoption of legislative reforms that aim to enhance the … Continue Reading

EU and Countries Worldwide Coordinate to Harmonize Rules on Green Financing

The launch of the International Platform on Sustainable Finance indicates an increased focus on a globalized approach to coordinating sustainable finance. By Paul Davies and Michael D. Green On October 18, 2019, the EU, China, India, and five other countries combined to launch the International Platform on Sustainable Finance (IPSF). Acknowledging the role that private … Continue Reading

EU Issues Final Report on Climate Benchmarks and ESG Disclosures

Technical Expert Group recommends minimum requirements for two new benchmarks. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green On 30 September 2019, the EU Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance (TEG) published its final report on climate benchmarks and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures (the Report), as well as a summary of the Report. … Continue Reading

UK Government Publishes Green Finance Strategy

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

New Green Bond Guidance Complements Existing Green Bond Principles

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

European Commission Publishes New Guidelines on Corporate Climate-Related Reporting

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

UK Treasury Committee Launches Inquiry Into Decarbonization And Green Finance

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

ESG Moves Into Mainstream Investing

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

Green Finance Institute to Launch in London

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

Green Bond Principles Stay the Course

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

Overview and Notable Features of the European Commission’s Proposed Sustainable Finance Regulations

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

Green Finance Taskforce Publishes First Report to Boost UK’s Green Economy

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

New Green Loan Principles Apply Bond-Like Approach to Nascent Green Loan Market

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

The European Commission Signals a More Active Regulatory Role to Drive Green and Sustainable Investment

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

Why Green Bond Issuers and Underwriters Should Not be Deterred by US Securities Law

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
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