Santander US’ Post

The main barriers to investment in circular economy projects in Europe include regulatory uncertainties, lack of standardised metrics for measuring circularity and upfront capital costs. What can bankers and financiers do to overcome these barriers? We sat with Tommaso Buso, Associate at Bankers without Boundaries to talk about: ✅ Overcoming barriers to investment in the circular economy in Europe, ✅ Examples of successful circular business models, ✅ Balancing impact potential and financial returns, and more... Read the interview on the DEFINITE-CCRI — Deal Engine with Finance, Investment and Technical Expertise website: https://lnkd.in/eZ6u5jyH Subscribe for updates about circular economy finance and investment: bit.ly/3OLhjol

How do you define "Circular"? It's a critical question for Canada's financial institutions, and here's why: ⭕ Circular business models (where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated) are critical for meeting #netzero and #esg targets. ⭕ But we aren't scaling investment in circularity in any kind of coordinated way (leaving lots of opportunity for impact on the table). ⭕ That's because - until now - we didn't have a clear definitional framework to help Financial Institutions and investors assess and evaluate real, impactful circular investment opportunities (vs #greenwashing) ⭕ Enter the newly released Circular Economy Guidance Document for Canadian Financial Institutions - the first tool of its kind in Canada - designed to help FIs connect the dots between their climate and sustainable finance targets and the circular investment opportunities that will help achieve them. ▶ Read the report: https://lnkd.in/gExfqG6u

This is an important contribution to the broader sustainable finance taxonomy discussion happening in Canada right now. It's critical that we have a shared lexicon with clear definitions so that sustainability-focused capital flows where we need it and where it will do the most good. I think this may help move "circularity" from a fuzzy idea to a concrete opportunity for investors

No one needs to be convinced of the importance of ESG topics for business development today. But we still need to know how the ESG approach translates into everyday business operations.   Education on this topic was the main objective of the "ESG unlocked" #SustainabilityWeek, which we recently organized at Credit Agricole Bank Polska S.A. This is the first such initiative in our bank. And it was inspired by the European Sustainability Week and the European Sustainable Mobility Week.   The event was an opportunity for interesting discussions on the role of social and environmental topics in business development. We exchanged views and opinions both in our internal circle and together with invited experts, during several webinars. Extremely interesting and heated was the discussion with our special guest: Christophe Jacolin, Head of ESG Strategy & Performance of Groupe Crédit Agricole, with whom we discussed our Group's sustainability strategy and it’s commitments.   As part of #SustainabilityWeek we also held a workshop for employees' children on renewable energy and an ESGame contest. In addition, we promoted our carbon footprint calculator, which we implemented in May and everyone can use on our website.   This was a very important educational event at our bank and I'm glad it received so much attention. In my opinion, building awareness and educating all our stakeholders and employees, about sustainability and ESG is crucial. Especially in the context of our new business strategy, which we are currently working on, and ESG is to be one of its foundations.   A good understanding of this approach will help us prepare for future challenges so that we can better support our customers in their energy transition. This is the mission we have set for ourselves as an entire banking sector, and we will do our best to fulfill it.

My colleague Dale Hardcastle was recently on MoneyFM 89.3 with host Rachel Kelly and Tracy Wong Harris, Head of Sustainable Finance Asia, Standard Chartered Bank. There is a 1.5 trillion dollar investment gap when it comes to funding Southeast Asia’s green transition, according to our latest Southeast Asia Green Economy 2024 Report by Bain & Company, GenZero, Standard Chartered and Temasek. Southeast Asian markets now have a window of opportunity to accelerate decarbonization with actionable ideas and accelerators in order to achieve its climate targets. https://dy.si/o27To

KommuneKredit taps 5-year EUR 500 million Green benchmark! On 18th June 2024, KommuneKredit tapped the Green May 2029 by EUR 500 million (no-grow). The transaction constitutes KommuneKredit’s fifth benchmark transaction of the year. The tap gave KommuneKredit the first opportunity to increase the circulating amount of a green bond from EUR 500 million to EUR 1 billion. In connection with the tap Guðrið Weihe, Head of Sustainable Finance at KommuneKredit, says: “ We are pleased to see that our latest EUR 500 million green bond transaction was well received by investors despite a challenging market. We appreciate the support for KommuneKredit’s green bond programme and the continued interest in investing in the green transition that takes place locally in Denmark." Read more about the tap and explore lead manager quotes here: https://lnkd.in/dS2Btepv

One of the UK’s leading independent finance companies is supporting the automotive sector's decarbonisation by joining forces with The Carbon Literacy Project and Auto Trader UK. 🚗 Financial services can shape how people shop for vehicles and move consumers towards a more sustainable agenda. To facilitate this, organisations must be equipped with the knowledge and expertise to drive conversations amongst customers and other industry stakeholders – a skill that Santander Consumer (UK) plc is developing amongst its employees through Carbon Literacy training. Swipe to hear more from Sustainability Manager Natalie Crawford about their experience ➡️ Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/esuUfnrg #CarbonLiteracy #Automotive #Decarbonisation #FinancialServices #ESG #CPD

What is green finance? How does it ensure better environmental outcome? What is green washing and how can businesses manage this risk? Join us for a discussion with our panel of experts on how financial providers can help businesses with their decarbonization challenges. You will learn about available financial products and services that may help your business embark on the sustainability journey. 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 The SICC Sustainability Event Series, 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 Singapore American School, focuses on two key pillars of sustainability – people and the planet. It will delve into improving the quality of one’s life by sustaining emotional wellbeing and mental health and that of family, colleagues, and peers. This event series will also focus on the importance of environmental sustainability and why it is a responsibility of every individual, organization, and country. Being responsible in our actions today about our planet means we do not jeopardize the lives and needs of future generations. Register here: https://cvent.me/qE3qGZ #SICCEvent #SustainabilitySeries #Sustainability #GreenFinance Pamela Lee Zhang Weina Valerie Lau, CFA Brian CK HO 何智权 Dawn Tan Ly-Ru Martin Hayes Joo Seng Wong Per Magnusson Victor Mills Sharon Lim Shirley Tan Hamizawati Ab Karim Evelyn Yeo Derek Yang Kelly Toh

🌱 Nordea is Leading the Charge Towards a Sustainable Future! 🌍 Anja Hannerz, Head of Group Sustainability at Nordea, emphasizes the pivotal role banks play in shaping a sustainable future. With ambitious targets and a clear strategy, financial institutions like Nordea can drive structural change across sectors, transcending borders for global impact. Nordea's sustainability goals are not just aspirations—they're actionable objectives. From reducing carbon emissions to aligning with the Paris Agreement, Nordea is committed to making a tangible difference. By setting clear timeframes, including a portfolio-wide 2030 objective, Nordea showcases its dedication to measurable progress. The numbers speak volumes: a 29% reduction in financed emissions and a 51% decrease in internal carbon emissions since 2019. Nordea isn't just talking the talk; they're walking the walk. As Anja highlights, Nordea's size, capital strength, and Nordic presence give it the power to effect real change. By prioritizing sustainability, Nordea isn't just a bank—it's a force for good in society.

Working together for a sustainable future 🌎 Last week we participated in a workshop entitled "Financing the Climate Transition". The event was organised by IFSWF (International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds) and hosted by Clarity AI in collaboration with Santander Asset Management. During the event, sovereign wealth funds and industry experts discussed the fact that governments are increasingly looking to private capital to finance the energy transition. The workshop provided a unique opportunity to discuss how to think about transition planning, navigating blended finance and other structures for investing in climate solutions in emerging markets, as well as how to report on the impact of the portfolios. In SAM, we are committed to sustainability, and we are playing our part through its participation in initiatives such as the Principles for Responsible Investment, the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative, and Climate Action 100+. These commitments integrate, among others, sustainable criteria into our management and investment processes, set decarbonization goals for our investments, and involve commitments with the companies we invest in. #ClimateFinance #Sustainable #Finances