Maria Pungs

Last year in May, we launched our #JustTransitionCriteria - a ‘first of its kind’ practical tool for fund managers who want to invest in a transition to a net zero world that prioritises the needs of the planet and the people living on it. Since then, our #JustTransitionFinanceChallenge, the community of practice that co-created the Criteria, has grown to more than 25 global financial institutions with over £5 trillion of assets, or assets under management. We have had interest in the Criteria from more than 250 organisations and individuals and five organisations are currently piloting the Criteria. So why should you use them? They make it easier for fund managers to design financial products that can deliver on the three critical elements of a just transition, as defined by the G7-backed Impact Taskforce (or help them identify investment products and solutions that are already aligned with a just transition): ✅ Advancing climate and environmental action – including greenhouse gas emission mitigation, reduction and removal ✅ Improving socio-economic distribution and equity – through, for example, inclusive opportunities for decent jobs ✅ Improving community voice – through, for example, engagement and dialogue with affected communities that are often excluded and marginalised One of the organisation piloting the Criteria is BlueOrchard Finance Ltd a global impact investment manager that has used the Criteria to develop an investment strategy that aims to improve the resilience of poor and vulnerable households in emerging and frontier markets to weather events and natural disasters. You can read the full case study here: https://lnkd.in/egJjN-VM If you would like to find out more about our work on the just transition, reach out here or speak to our programme lead David Krivanek. #justtransition #impactinvesting #casestudy #example

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Read about how BlueOrchard’s strategy aiming to improve the resilience of vulnerable populations in emerging and frontier markets to weather events and natural disasters aligns with the framework of the Just Transition Criteria. The Just Transition Criteria were launched last year by the Impact Investing Institute in partnership with 21 global financial institutions, including BlueOrchard. The strategy supports the three critical elements of a just transition, as defined by the G7-backed Impact Taskforce: 🔹 Advancing climate and environmental action 🔹 Improving socio-economic distribution and equity 🔹 Increasing community voice Maria Teresa Zappia, Felix Hermes, Alessandra Nibbio, Edoardo Toscano, Clément Casavant #justtransition #impactinvesting #EmergingMarkets #ClimateInsurance #ClimateAction #BlueOrchard #ImpactMeasurement #MarketingMaterial

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Last year in May, we launched our #JustTransitionCriteria - a ‘first of its kind’ practical tool for fund managers who want to invest in a transition to a net zero world that prioritises the needs of the planet and the people living on it. Since then, our #JustTransitionFinanceChallenge, the community of practice that co-created the Criteria, has grown to more than 25 global financial institutions with over £5 trillion of assets, or assets under management. We have had interest in the Criteria from more than 250 organisations and individuals and five organisations are currently piloting the Criteria. So why should you use them? They make it easier for fund managers to design financial products that can deliver on the three critical elements of a just transition, as defined by the G7-backed Impact Taskforce (or help them identify investment products and solutions that are already aligned with a just transition): ✅ Advancing climate and environmental action – including greenhouse gas emission mitigation, reduction and removal ✅ Improving socio-economic distribution and equity – through, for example, inclusive opportunities for decent jobs ✅ Improving community voice – through, for example, engagement and dialogue with affected communities that are often excluded and marginalised One of the organisation piloting the Criteria is BlueOrchard Finance Ltd, a global impact investment manager that has used the Criteria to develop an investment strategy that aims to improve the resilience of poor and vulnerable households in emerging and frontier markets to weather events and natural disasters. You can read the full case study here: https://lnkd.in/egJjN-VM If you would like to find out more about our work on the just transition, reach out here or speak to our programme lead David Krivanek. #justtransition #impactinvesting #casestudy #example

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Last year in May, we launched our #JustTransitionCriteria - a ‘first of its kind’ practical tool for fund managers who want to invest in a transition to a net zero world that prioritises the needs of the planet and the people living on it. Since then, our #JustTransitionFinanceChallenge, the community of practice that co-created the Criteria, has grown to more than 25 global financial institutions with over £5 trillion of assets, or assets under management. We have had interest in the Criteria from more than 250 organisations and individuals and five organisations are currently piloting the Criteria. So why should you use them? They make it easier for fund managers to design financial products that can deliver on the three critical elements of a just transition, as defined by the G7-backed Impact Taskforce (or help them identify investment products and solutions that are already aligned with a just transition): ✅ Advancing climate and environmental action – including greenhouse gas emission mitigation, reduction and removal ✅ Improving socio-economic distribution and equity – through, for example, inclusive opportunities for decent jobs ✅ Improving community voice – through, for example, engagement and dialogue with affected communities that are often excluded and marginalised One of the organisation piloting the Criteria is BlueOrchard Finance Ltd a global impact investment manager that has used the Criteria to develop an investment strategy that aims to improve the resilience of poor and vulnerable households in emerging and frontier markets to weather events and natural disasters. You can read the full case study here: https://lnkd.in/egJjN-VM If you would like to find out more about our work on the just transition, reach out here or speak to our programme lead David Krivanek. #justtransition #impactinvesting #casestudy #example

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Last year in May, we launched our #JustTransitionCriteria - a ‘first of its kind’ practical tool for fund managers who want to invest in a transition to a net zero world that prioritises the needs of the planet and the people living on it. Since then, our #JustTransitionFinanceChallenge, the community of practice that co-created the Criteria, has grown to more than 25 global financial institutions with over £5 trillion of assets, or assets under management. We have had interest in the Criteria from more than 250 organisations and individuals and five organisations are currently piloting the Criteria. So why should you use them? They make it easier for fund managers to design financial products that can deliver on the three critical elements of a just transition, as defined by the G7-backed Impact Taskforce (or help them identify investment products and solutions that are already aligned with a just transition): ✅ Advancing climate and environmental action – including greenhouse gas emission mitigation, reduction and removal ✅ Improving socio-economic distribution and equity – through, for example, inclusive opportunities for decent jobs ✅ Improving community voice – through, for example, engagement and dialogue with affected communities that are often excluded and marginalised One of the organisation piloting the Criteria is BlueOrchard Finance Ltd a global impact investment manager that has used the Criteria to develop an investment strategy that aims to improve the resilience of poor and vulnerable households in emerging and frontier markets to weather events and natural disasters. You can read the full case study here: https://lnkd.in/egJjN-VM If you would like to find out more about our work on the just transition, reach out here or speak to our programme lead David Krivanek. #justtransition #impactinvesting #casestudy #example

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France’s financial regulator has called for caution in sustainable fund marketing to avoid “major greenwashing risks” after analysing 52 sustainable thematic funds. The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) – France said it observed “inadequacies” in the funds’ compliance with the regulator’s minimum standards for non-financial criteria – effectively its national rules for ESG terms in fund names – and urged managers to ensure the marketing of funds is “correct, clear and not misleading”. A spokesperson for the AMF told Responsible Investor that for funds to be aligned with its guidance, sustainability claims must be backed by a “measurable and binding commitment” in the legal documentation in order to be used as part of the marketing communications. The study found that 28 percent of the funds analysed breached the AMF’s minimum standards, which were introduced in 2020. Shortcomings included issues with the data used by funds to back up their sustainability claims in various materials. The regulator said discussions have been initiated with stakeholders based on these findings. It noted that all funds that did not meet the criteria are domiciled overseas. #SustainableInvesting #SDGs #SFDR

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How can the UK🇬🇧 reclaim its leadership on #climateaction? "The fastest-growing segment of global finance is sustainable and climate finance. The UK can accelerate this transition," says Climate Bonds Initiative CEO Sean Kidney. Here are 4️⃣ steps the UK government needs to take to strengthen its global financial position by becoming a leader in #SustainableFinance. 💹 Read: https://ow.ly/zUCF50SKK1X #greenfinance #greeneconomy #climatefinance Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) GOV.UK

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"Impact requires action, action requires insight, and insight requires data." 💬 Joe Krancki, Investment Director, comments on the release of ESG_VC’s latest ESG research report in partnership with the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA). The findings offer the most comprehensive benchmarking of ESG performance across start-ups and scale-ups, and how this performance differs by stage, sector and geography. We are pleased to have contributed to the report by working with ESG_VC to compile ESG data from 587 portfolio companies backed by leading VCs including Atomico, Beringea, Molten Ventures, and Highland Europe.   Key takeaways from this year’s report include:   🌱 The amount of start-ups measuring their carbon footprint has almost doubled in the past year 📖 57% of start-ups are now offering study support to staff and 47% are offering internships, apprenticeships or trainee programmes 🤖 31% now offer AI training or codes of conduct on the topic   Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dr7EfT9X   #growthequity #sustainability #responsibleinvesting   Greg Blin James Palman

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📢 New Policy Recommendations for UK Climate Finance 📢 Bankers for Net Zero (B4NZ) are proud to share a new climate finance policy playbook edited by David Carlin, David Aikman, Dr Marc Lepere, and Luca Taschini which included a chapter from our CEO, Heather Buchanan. Heather used her chapter *Empowering SMEs for a Net-Zero Future: Challenges, Solutions, and the Importance of Collaboration* to explore the challenges SMEs face in sustainability reporting and to recommend the UK government develop standard reporting frameworks and automated tools like Project Perseus to streamline data collection and improve access to green investment. The e-book brings together experts from business, finance, international organisations, and academia and makes several climate finance policy recommendations for the new UK government. Key recommendations include: 🔼 Higher Capital Gains Tax for heavy carbon emitters ✅ Streamlined listing rules for green companies The e-book features contributions from nearly forty thought leaders, including with contributions from World Benchmarking Alliance, Global Systems Institute, University of Exeter, E3G, PwC, Climate Bonds Initiative, Chapter Zero, Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) and many others. The 25 practical evidence-based recommendations in the e-book could help to transform the UK into a net zero finance hub within the next six months. 🌱 Explore the recommendations in full using the link below! 🌍 King's Business School University of Edinburgh Business School

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⚡Rendesco, a low-carbon alternative to gas grid infrastructure, raises £6m to rapidly expand its operations and further develop its solutions in the UK and European energy markets. The new investment has been led by Clean Growth Fund, Eurazeo’s Smart City fund, and Aviva Ventures. They join existing investor Copley Point Capital, demonstrating that investor confidence in ground source heat pump technology as the UK transitions to a decarbonised economy. "Their collective expertise and support will be invaluable as we pursue our ambitious growth plans, rapidly expanding our clean heating solutions to reach millions of homeowners and making a major – and much needed – dent in the UK’s carbon reduction efforts.” - Alastair Murray, CEO and founder at Rendesco Read more about the fundraising and how Rendesco intends to utilise the capital to transform grid infrastructure across the UK and Europe, in the article linked in the comments below. 👇 #RealEstate #sustainability #investment ---- 💡 Follow PropTech Connect for daily Real Estate and PropTech news and insights.

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🌍 Join Opna and Bankers for Net Zero for a CDR Breakfast Roundtable During London Climate Action Week! 🌱 Are you ready to delve into the crucial world of carbon removals? As part of the net zero plan, carbon removals are essential, but the market's early stage raises many questions: 🔍 What's the business case for engaging early? 🔍 How can you guarantee the delivery of credits to meet net zero goals? 🔍 How do you manage reputation risk when investing in a project? This roundtable will bring together leaders from the financial services sector and CDR project developers to share insights, discuss opportunities, and tackle challenges in this evolving space. Don't miss this chance to connect, learn, and contribute to the future of carbon removals. To find out more and RSVP please email francesca.oneill@bankersfornetzero.co.uk

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"Deliver an enabling policy framework for impact-driven companies. Impact investors are only able to invest where there is a sufficient maturity and scale of impact-driven companies and social enterprises. We support Business for a Better Tomorrow’s call for recognition of companies committed to the environmental and social transition and for making public procurement a powerful tool for common good." 🤝 Thanks Impact Europe for supporting the Business for a Better Tomorrow's in the Impact Manifesto! 🌍 (Re)discover our manifesto here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ez4in6sc

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🌍 📚 Report of the week: UNEPFI's Climate Mitigation Journey Report United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)'s Climate Mitigation Journey Report (CMJ) is a manual to help banks align with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target and achieve net zero commitments. The CMJ introduces a shared language for banking climate mitigation by: 🌿 Outlining Three Core Business Capability Blocks: - Core Climate Capabilities - Commitment & Targets Capabilities - Implementation Capabilities 🌿 Providing Clear Mapping: - Resources, standards, methodologies, and key stakeholders for each capability block. 🌿 Addressing Regional Considerations: - Key factors for UNEP FI member banks on the path to net zero. The CMJ focuses on capabilities rather than a rigid step-by-step journey, allowing flexibility and adaptation to evolving standards and methodologies. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dmEtTEdy #SustainableBanking #ClimateAction #NetZero #UNEPFI #ClimateMitigationJourney

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What does the UK’s change in #government mean for investors? In 3 thought pieces, we look at the #fiscal challenges, the market implications of potentially greater political stability and a new #UKClimatePolicy. Find out more in our Investment Insights special #election edition.

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The Future Fund has just released a fantastic position paper on how #geopolitical risk impacts #investors - and what they should do about it. The whole paper (at a very snappy 10 pages) warrants a close read, but here are a few of the highlights (according to me): - "Geopolitics results from the nexus of geographic factors, #policy decisions and cultural norms - the rules, risks and opportunities by which economies operate - and its impact on economies and #financial markets has been a reality for investors for generations. We believe it is likely to remain so for generations to come, with the last three decades being an anomaly." (p9) - Don't get stuck on the headlines, it's not the events that we should be watching, but rather the processes that are driving them - Geographical #diversification used to be a no-brainer for investors, but now it is becoming an increasingly risky strategy. This is because the open global trade and investment system is faltering, and closed blocs are starting to form. - Geopolitical #volatility creates opportunities as well as risks. E.g. increased government support for strategic #sovereign industries is making a whole new generation of manufacturing investments more viable. - Portfolio resilience is as important as portfolio efficiency. Please go and read the whole paper. As you do, remember the words of Ken McCallum, DG of MI5: "You may not be interested in geopolitics, but geopolitics is certainly interested in you." (hat tip Samuel H.) https://lnkd.in/gJVduna2 Thanks Craig Thorburn and team, for the invaluable contribution to understanding the volatile geopolitical environment we are all living in.

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Friday saw the second round of organisations announced as early adopters of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and it included investor giants Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) MUFG and Generation Investment Management The 96 additional organisations committed to reporting in line with the TNFD over the next two financial years, brings the total number of early adopters to 416. 114 of these are financial institutions. At the launch event, early adopters noted challenges in data quality and availability - particularly obtaining data from value chains. Esther An chief sustainability officer at City Developments Limited said technology is often "not cheap" and it can be difficult to prove to boards why it is necessary to approve funding for data. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eiVsTSZP

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‘Impact Investing and the Just Transition’ is the latest collaboration between Impact Investor and sister publications Investment & Pensions Europe (IPE) and IPE Real Assets. The report takes an in-depth look at how pension funds and other institutional investors are considering investment strategies that contribute to ensuring that the transition to a greener economy is fair, inclusive, and equitable. Read our report to gain insights from asset owners, ecosystem builders and asset managers leading efforts towards a #justtransition.

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