Weekly ESG News (26.12. – 08.01.)
The Weekly ESG News provide you with all relevant sustainable finance information of the last week. We cover the Insurance- and Financial Services Industry. No sign-up or mail address required.
Products and Service
Hong Kong and Ireland issued Sovereign Green Bonds
Hong Kong’s government has raised $5.8 billion in dollar, euro and offshore yuan green bonds last week. Maturities ranged from 3-years to 30-years. Around the same time, Ireland raised 3.5 billion euros ($4 billion) from a 20-year green bond. The bond sale covers already a significant part of debt to be raised by Ireland this year (between EUR 7 billion and EUR 11 billion planned in 2023).
Gresham House launches Irish forestry fund
Gresham House, the specialist alternative asset manager with a significant presence in Ireland, has launched a major new strategy to enable Irish and international investors to fund greater forest cover across Ireland.
Read more here.
DWS filed prospectus for its 14th ESG-themed ETF
DWS filed the prospectus for its “Xtrackers MSCI USA Climate Action Equity ETF” last week. The ETF will mainly invest in large- and mid-cap US companies. The prospectus will be effective as of March 15.
Regulations and Law
SEC plans to issue its climate disclosure regulations by April
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plans to issue its climate disclosure regulations by April with a delay of almost six months. The new rules will require companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and how climate change is impacting them. Further disclosure rules in the field of employee related matters should follow later this year.
Read more here.
Thailand consults on Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Pilot
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have issued a consultation on a pilot version of a sustainable finance taxonomy. The taxonomy aims to establish a common framework for the sustainable finance market in Thailand and to accelerate investments into sustainable assets. The proposed Taxonomy uses a traffic light methodology and it is closely aligned to the EU Taxonomy.
Leadership Announcements
BlueOrchard appoints Martin Diaz Plata as Head of Private Equity Investments
Diaz Plata has more than 25 years of experience in private equity. He has previously worked as Managing Partner at Capital Group Private Markets in London for the last 20 years with a primary responsibility for Latin America, Emerging Europe and the Middle East.
Climate Impact Partners appoints Sheri Hickok as Chief Executive Officer
Sheri succeeds Vaughan Lindsay who led the organization for the past four years. She joins Climate Impact Partners from GE Renewable Energy where she most recently served as Vice President and CEO of the international onshore wind business.
Carmignac appoints Lloyd McAllister as Head of Sustainable Investment
McAllister joins from Newton Investment Management, where he worked for nearly five years, most recently as head of ESG research. At Carmignac, he will be based in London and will lead the asset manager’s sustainable investment team, which supports the fund management team with financial analysis, thematic research and engagement.
Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) establishes new Climate Advisory Board
As part of its 2025 Climate Action Plan, Norway´s sovereign wealth fund Norges Bank Investment Management will set up a Climate Advisory Board to support the fund on climate-related matters. NBIM has appointed Professor Jody Freeman (Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and independent director of ConocoPhillips), Jennifer Morris (CEO at The Nature Conservancy), Huw van Steenis (Vice Chair at Oliver Wyman) and Bjørn Otto Sverdrup (Chair of the Executive Committee for the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative) as external members to the board.
EQ Investors appoints Louisiana Salge as Head of Sustainability
Salge will be responsible for leading EQ Investor´s efforts in the area of sustainable and engagement initiatives. Her appointment reflects the growing client demand for ESG solutions and EQ Investors´s ambition to maintain a high level of client service.
Net Zero
Mizuho Financial Group strengthens its NetZero strategy
Mizuho set specific targets for the oil and gas industry (upstream production) and for thermal coal mining. In addition, the financial services provider has developed a framework (standards and verification process) to confirm the credibility and transparency of transition strategies in order to more proactively supply the necessary financing for our clients’ business structure transformation.
Read more here.