2021 Annual Conference & the 5th Anniversary Academic Exchange Forum of the International Institute of Green Finance (IIGF).
The IIGF was founded on September 26, 2016. 5 years later, on exactly the same day, IIGF hosted the 2021 Annual Conference and the 5th Anniversary Academic Exchange Forum.
More than 150 representatives from various ministries and commissions, domestic and foreign academic institutions, financial institutions, international institutions, and large state-owned enterprises attended the event to discuss the status and future trends of green finance development at home and abroad.
The event started with the welcoming remarks by th SHI Jianping , Vice President of Central University of Finance and Economics, Chairman of the International Institute of Green Finance
In his speech, Shi Jianping emphasized the role of green finance in advancing the Chinese concept of ecological civilization and its role in designing carbon-neutrality policy framework. Green financial market should promote China’s low-carbon transition and green recovery. Additionally, strengthening international cooperation in green finance can connect countries to promote global sustainable development.
In his opening remarks, Wang Linjing said that the realization of the green sustainable development goals is in hands of those who are ready, so comprehensive preparations for development of green finance are needed. Firstly, it is impotant to improve policy environment, and promote development of diversified financial products to reduce bottlenecks and ensure that green finance-related practices can be implemented. Secondly, at the operations level, financial institutions can create special departments, recruit talent with green finance expertise and actively cooperate with think-tanks and research institutions to support the development of green finance through application of green finance professional knowledge.
Which was followed by the series of high-level keynote speeches by remarkable guests:
In his speech, Yang Weimin focused on the concept of ecological products that was emphasized by Xi Jinping emphasized during the 29th collective study session of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee in May 2021. To realize the value of ecological products, Yang Weimin reccomended to apply measures such as: transfer payments from the central government to ecological function zones, ecological products value exchange between regions, establishment of initial distribution system, introduction of policy markets and ecological banks, granting long-term use rights to the main ecological restoration market entities, unification of green product labels, and increasing the ecological value of the construction land. He underlined that establishing a mechanism for realizing the value of ecological products is fundamental requirement for building ecological civilization, modernization, and achieving common prosperity.
Wang Xin pointed out that the central bank can focus on promoting the transformation to a green economy by encouraging provision of long-term financing for energy and industrial transformation. Central bank can also use monetary policy tools to support green and low-carbon projects. Additionally, central bank can take various measures (such as: establishing unified green financial standards, promoting financial institutions information disclosure, reducing uncertainty) which also help to mobilize a large amount of private capital to invest in green and low-carbon sectors.
Chen Hongwan pointed out that financial support is an important part of achieving the “3060” goal. Achieving carbon neutrality requires a huge amount of investment, and it is necessary to guide the capital in a market-oriented manner. The climate change affects financial stability and requires timely assessment and response. Key green and low-carbon technologies require larger-scale financing support, therefore, improving the top-level design of financial support for green and low-carbon transformation and building a long-term mechanism for the development of green finance such strenghtening incentive measures, introducing more long-term funding, innovation of the financial products and services and strenghtening the risk prevention of the green finance will become crucial.
Jiao Xiaoping stressed that China must coordinate the use of six major policy tools such as the rule of law, administration, economy, market, society, and international cooperation to promote a comprehensive green and low-carbon transformation.
LI Gao, Director of the Department of Climate Change, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment
Li Gao said that promoting the financial system to make a systematic response and strengthening climate investment and financing work is of special significance for achieving the “dual carbon goal”. Financial and regulatory authorities need to consider strengthening greenhouse gas emission control, promoting low-carbon transformation of traditional industries and identify and prevent climate risks. The government can strengthen macro-economic policy guidance andensure policy stability to create a environment for the development of green and low-carbon industry, innovation of low-carbon technology and creation of climate-friendly products.
ZOU Ji underlined that financial tools and policy frameworks should focus on increasing market competitiveness of investment and consumption of green and low-carbon projects. Besides, promoting development of financial tools and financial products, and technologies related to “dual carbon goal” and support the continuous innovation in the development of the carbon market
After the welcoming ceremony, Wang Yao, the Director General of the institute introduced IIGF and our recent achievements in promoting the green finance agenda in China and internationally. In the past five years, the IIGF has continued to promote research and innovation in green finance related fields, and continuously enriched the content of the academic library. At the same time, the IIGF undertakes research projects commissioned by national ministries and commissions, local governments, financial institutions, and social organizations. as well as international partners such as World Resources Institute (WRI), Energy Foundation (EF), Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and many more.
During the official cooperation ceremony, IIGF further strengthened ties with the international and domestic partners.
PRESENTATION OF IIFG RESEARCH OUTCOMES
Session after the lunch break was dedicated to the presentation of IIGF research outcomes. Each research department presented their most recent work results.
XU Hongfeng, Deputy Director, IIGF PRESENTED: Driving China’s Fossil Fuel SOE Reform in Support of a Low-Carbon Transition
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
After the presentations, the 5th Anniversary Academic Exchange Forum held two thematic panels, bringing together decision-makers and stakeholders from government, financial institutions, and academia in China and abroad to exchange experiences and knowledge on the topic of the development of carbon finance and the innovation of transitional financial products in China.
CLOSED-DOOR MEETING
At the same time, in another room we held a closed-door meeting on the theme of “Tripartite cooperation for infrastructure project: financing mechanism and ESG standards”
We want to thank all of our friends and international partners who have supported our work throughout these 5 years. We hope that those friendships will continue in the years to come and that IIGF’s work will increasingly impact development of the green finance in China and internationally!