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Category Archives: Green Finance

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EU Launches €1 Trillion European Green Deal Investment Plan

The European Commission has also established a mechanism to assist the transition of regions that will be more profoundly impacted by the 2050 carbon-neutrality target. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green On 11 December 2019, the European Union announced that it would enshrine into legislation its goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 … Continue Reading

Financing the Road to Green

How companies that are unable to issue green bonds can still participate in sustainable finance. By Paul A. Davies, Aaron E. Franklin, and Kristina S. Wyatt If the 2010s were the decade in which green bonds took hold, the 2020s will be the decade in which sustainable finance hits the broader marketplace. The green bond … Continue Reading

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
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