LIMA, Oct. 8 2015 /CNW/ - A new UNEP report released at the International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank Annual Meetings shows how to harness the assets of the world's financial system for sustainability – the key findings are that:

• A 'quiet revolution' is underway as financial policymakers and regulators take steps to integrate sustainable development considerations into financial systems to make them fit for the 21st century.
• Momentum is building and is largely driven by developing and emerging nations including Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Kenya, and Peru, with developed country champions including France and the UK.
• Amplifying these experiences through national and international action could channel private capital to finance the transition to an inclusive, green economy and support the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.

These are the core findings of a two-­year Inquiry by the United Nations Environment Programme, summarized in a new report, 'The Financial System We Need.' Commenting on the release:

Achim Steiner, UN Under-­Secretary-­General and Executive Director of UNEP said: "UNEP's Inquiry has for the first time compiled and analyzed inspiring initiatives from across the world that seek to better align the financial system with sustainable development, showing that there is much to be learnt from  the developing  world. We now need to raise the level of ambition and cooperation to ensure that the heartland of the global economy, the financial system, can evolve to serve its core purpose of growing and sustaining the real economy. UNEP's report opens a new chapter by setting out how such an evolution can be achieved," he added.

Also speaking at the launch, Yi Gang, Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China, said the UNEP Inquiry report "delivers a vision of embedding sustainable development into the core of financial and capital markets. It should be a very useful guide and reference for many governments, financial institutions and international organizations in thinking about how to advance green finance." Yi praised UNEP's contribution to the joint study with China's central bank on the country's green financial system, and said that "we have benefited significantly from UNEP's vision of sustainable finance as well as its analysis on international experience," and "are looking forward to continuing this partnership with UNEP in the future."

Dr Atiur Rahman, Governor of the Bangladesh Bank, and a member of the Inquiry`s Advisory Council, speaking at the launch, said: "For the first time, the Inquiry has mapped the many innovations around the world seeking to ensure that the financial systems serves its purpose of financing inclusive, green development".

John Lipsky, former first Deputy Managing Director of the IMF and a member of the Inquiry`s Advisory Council,  "Reforming the financial system remains unfinished business – we have stabilized the system, but have a long way to go in designing a financial system that meets the needs of sustainable development."

Murilo Portugal, the President of Brazil`s banking association, FEBRABAN, and a member of the Inquiry`s Advisory Council, "The Inquiry has catalyzed awareness of the need to align financial markets to sustainable development, and highlighted practical pathways to improving such an alignment."

Naina Kidwai – Chairman, HSBC India, Director, HSBC Asia Pacific, and a member of the Inquiry's Advisory Council, "Too often the financial system and sustainable development have been tackled in separate silos. The Inquiry has shown for the first time how to systematically connect the dots, demonstrating practical ways in which we can mobilise the scale of capital needed in emerging markets, particularly for clean energy and clean water."

Sharan Burrow – General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), "The UNEP Inquiry is a valuable contribution to help reframe the financial system which is essential for a socially just transition to a low carbon economy."

Henri  de  Castries,  Chief  Executive  of  AXA, one  of over 40 partners of the  Inquiry, "I welcome  the Inquiry, as only a financial system with a sustainability orientation serves the economy and society, and so provides a sound foundation for fostering the long-­term orientation of finance."

Rachel Kyte, Vice President and Special Climate Envoy, World Bank Group: "The UNEP Inquiry has uncovered a new generation of policy innovations that aim to ensure the financial system serves the needs  of  inclusive, environmentally-sustainable, economic development.  Its  findings are  an important input in advancing a new generation of financial system reform and support the delivery of  our most important sustainability goals, and could play an important role for implementing the results of the forthcoming Paris climate talks."

Anne Stausboll, CEO of CalPERS: "At CalPERS, sustainability is embedded into our investment beliefs and practices. The Inquiry sets forth a framework for policymakers to incorporate sustainability into the  rules  that  govern  the  financial system -­ an essential step for long-­term value creation and management of multi-­faceted risks."

Highlights from 'The Financial System We Need' report from the UNEP Inquiry
The UNEP Inquiry into the Design of a Sustainable Financial System was established in January 2014 with a mandate to advance policy options that would improve the effectiveness of the financial system in supporting sustainable development.  Supported by a high-­level Advisory Council of financial leaders, the Inquiry has looked in-­depth at practice in more than 15 countries as well as across key segments of the financial system, such as banking, bond and equity markets, institutional investment, insurance as well as monetary policy. To reach its findings, the Inquiry has worked with central banks, environment ministries, international financial institutions as well as major banks, stock exchanges, pension funds and insurance companies.

The Inquiry has identified five types of measures that are being introduced by financial rule-makers:

• Enhancing  market practice  through  better disclosure, clearer responsibilities and improved product criteria.
• Harnessing the public balance sheet, through fiscal incentives, public financial institutions and central bank action
• Directing finance through policy measures, such as priority sector lending, legal requirements and  liability regimes
• Transforming  financial culture, through  capacity  building, reformed  incentives and market structure
• Upgrading  system  governance,  through  guiding  principles,  regulatory  mandates and performance  measurement.

In total, the Inquiry found over 100 measures that are already in place, including:

• China, a  portfolio  of 14  distinct recommendations to  advance  China`s green financial system, covering information, legal, institutional and fiscal measures
• France, new disclosure requirements on climate change have been introduced for institutional investors as part of the country's energy transition legislation
• Kenya, has advanced financial inclusion through scaling of mobile based payment services, which  is now  also  supporting  green financing
• Peru, new due diligence requirements have been introduced for banks to help reduce social and environmental externalities.
• USA, emphasizes fiscal measures to  accelerate  green  finance, and  had  made significant advances in disclosure and investor action.

The Inquiry`s report presents a Framework for Action that includes a toolbox of nearly 40 different measures, a set of five policy packages across banking, bond and equity markets, institutional investors and insurance, and a prioritized set of 10 next steps to promote international financial cooperation

NOTES TO EDITORS

Along with The Financial System We Need, the Inquiry will also be launching the 'Inquiry Live' website which will house a dedicated platform the body of knowledge and research materials encompassing the Inquiry's work over the past 20 months.  The website will provide a one stop shop to all of the Inquiry's research materials, as well as a dedicated portal for partner countries to enable communication and sharing of knowledge.  The country portal will initially be dedicated to the 15 countries where there has been enhanced country engagement.

Co-­directors:
Nick Robins: nick.robins@unep.org -­ +4179-­197-­9259
Simon Zadek: simon.zadek@unep.org -­ +4179-­105-­3586

Twitter: @unep @fininquiry

The report and press kit are available at:
www.unep.org/inquiry as well as www.unepinquiry.org

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#greenfinance
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SOURCE The Co-operators