UNEP FI at COP16 in Cancun. Be a part of it.

UNEP Finance Initiative Newsletter

Nov 2010

UNEP FI at COP16 in Cancun, Mexico.
Be part of it.

The official UNEP FI delegation to COP 16 is now being formed. UNEP FI will provide private finance input into the official inter-governmental negotiations through investor-negotiator discussions, as well as an official side event. Please contact climate@unepfi.org. UNEP FI is also pleased to announce that registration for the World Climate Summit (WCS) is now open. WCS will be the largest conference ever organised on the issue of climate change from a private sector perspective and will take place parallel to COP 16. It will convene the world's leading businesses, financiers and governments to discuss viable solutions to climate change. As one of the founding partners of WCS, UNEP FI has been instrumental in its organisation. All UNEP FI members are entitled to a 50% discount to the event. This high-profile 2-day summit will take place on 4-5 Dec at the Ritz-Carlton in Cancun, Mexico. More information.

New CEO Briefing demystifies the materiality of biodiversity to the finance sector

rom banks to insurance companies, some key financial institutions are beginning to recognise rising risks to lending and investment from biodiversity and ecosystems loss. These are some of the findings of the new CEO Briefing by UNEP FI, entitled "Demystifying Materiality: Hardwiring Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services into Finance", launched on 27 Oct at the UN biodiversity negotiations in Nagoya, Japan. Read the English and Japanese versions of the briefing and the Press Release. The CEO Briefing enjoyed the support of senior finance executives from around the world. See their comments. Reuters, The Guardian and Radio Free Europe reflected the launch: see what they have to say.

The African Bankers' Carbon Finance and Investment Forum

UNEP FI and The African Carbon Asset Development Facility along with UNEP FI signatories Standard Bank and Development Bank of Southern Africa recently held The African Bankers' Carbon Finance and Investment Forum on 4-5 November in Johannesburg, South Africa. In the run-up to the COP16 in Cancun, the event provided an opportunity to advance the dialogue and input of the African banking sector on a regional agenda for tackling climate change and promoting low-carbon economic growth. The forum included an interactive mixture of panel discussions, an executive roundtable conducted by leading banking professionals, training clinics and pitch sessions. See media coverage.

UNEP-FI & Credit Suisse host Hong Kong seminar, "The Next Challenge: Towards A Collaborative Effort by Financial Institutions to Integrate Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services into Business"

Following the UN biodiversity meeting in Nagoya, Japan, UNEP FI and Credit Suisse hosted an inception workshop in Hong Kong on 2 November to actively discuss the risks and opportunities arising from environmental issues for the finance sector. In addition, the meeting engaged key regional players from the finance sector, clients, as well as other businesses and non-governmental organisations in an active dialogue to increase our understanding of environmental risks and opportunities. Participants at the event discussed the rationale and development of a 'Natural Capital Statement' through which UNEP FI will seek support from banks and other financial institutions to commit to the implementation of environmental factors into internal processes, products and services.

UNEP FI Co-Chair Richard Burrett on finance, biodiversity and natural capital

"Nature is not just about fluffy animals or brightly coloured frogs - it's central to the health of businesses that need to incorporate environmental impacts into their risk management," Richard Burrett told Reuters reporter David Fogarty. Days before the start of the UN biodiversity convention negotiations in Nagoya, Co-Chair Burrett explained the links between finance, biodiversity and natural capital. Read the article. See media coverage.

Responsible Investment Seminar 2010 - Investment Strategy in an Environment in which Sustainability of Economic Growth is Being Questioned

UNEP FI supported the fifth Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) seminar hosted by Japanese member Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corporation on 10 November in Tokyo, Japan. At this half-day event, over 200 Japanese and international participants from the investment community shared their views on international post-crisis investment trends, and the effectiveness of SRI. UNEP FI Co-chair Barbara Krumsiek made the closing speech, which highlighted the key role that SRI is expected to play in future investment strategies.

Lima, Peru: Advanced Training Workshop on Environmental and Social Risk Analysis

This is the second time that UNEP FI - Ecobanking convened the "Advanced ESRA Training Workshop", in collaboration with the Peruvian Banking Association and two UNEP FI local members, Corporación Financiera de Desarrollo S.A. and BBVA Banco Continental. The workshop trained a group of 30 risk managers and analysts from 19 different banking institutions seeking to step up their ESRM systems. Participants undertook live web research, used specialized analysis tools, and simulated the presentation of an environmental risk report before a risk committee. The workshop demonstrated to participants the limitations of their current procedures for detecting environmental risks and ways that they can enhance these procedures through the implementation of international tools and best practices. Read more.