Climate change and biodiversity loss have become two urgent challenges impacting the sustainable development of human society. Integrating ESG factors and sustainable development principles into investment and financing decisions is not only a social responsibility for financial institutions but also a necessary choice to address new circumstances and mitigate emerging risks. Against this backdrop, the second phase of the 2024 Sustainable Finance Public Learning Program, jointly organized by the International Institute of Green Finance at Central University of Finance and Economics, University of Edinburgh Business School, the Deforestation-free Markets team at Rainforest Foundation Norway, and Future Horizons, commenced on June 24 in Edinburgh, UK. This program aims to share cutting-edge concepts and practical experiences from Europe in sustainable finance areas such as ESG investment and biodiversity conservation, facilitating Chinese institutions in absorbing international best practices and further enhancing their ESG investment and risk management frameworks.
On the first day of the course, 11 experts and scholars from the University of Edinburgh Business School, as well as various financial and consulting firms including Robeco, EY denkstatt, and NN Group, engaged in in-depth discussions and presentations on topics such as nature and biodiversity, climate and natural-related financial risks, and sustainable finance cases. Participants enthusiastically contributed to the discussions, actively exchanging perspectives with instructors on their practical experiences and the significant challenges encountered in applying sustainable finance principles in China.
Several participants expressed that the course has helped them gain a more comprehensive and profound understanding of the intrinsic connection between biodiversity and financial activities. They emphasized that the principles of ESG investment should serve as a crucial endogenous force for achieving high-quality development in China’s financial industry in the new era. Some participants also shared their perspectives on integrating ESG investment and management of natural-related risks into their organizational development strategies, sparking active discussions among the group.
The course explores advanced subjects like regulatory frameworks, Scope 3 emissions, and managing financial risks related to natural factors in industries such as agriculture and mining. These discussions offer crucial insights to advance sustainable development in China’s financial sector. This initiative aims to promote collaboration among various institutions in sustainable finance, providing a platform for participants to exchange practical insights, especially in biodiversity conservation. This effort supports the exploration of a balanced coexistence between humans and nature.