IHS Markit “Women’s Leadership Series” Event (March 2021)
Professor Wang Yao, Director General of IIGF, was invited to attend the “Women’s Leadership Series” event organised by IHS Markit, a leading global information service company. She joined Gauri Jauhar, Executive Director of Energy Transformation and Clean Technology Consulting at IHS Markit, in conversations about COVID-19 epidemic’s impact on global energy transformation, national and corporate approaches to achieving carbon neutrality, and environmental disclosure by financial institutions.
In recent years, the IEA, Oxford University, and other studies have shown that renewable energy sources are cheaper than fossil fuels, and the development of new energy resources can create more jobs. Professor Wang pointed out that central banks and financial regulators are increasingly aware of the financial risks posed by climate change and the importance of green finance. In order to expedite the transition away from fossil fuel industries and facilitate carbon emission reduction, investors ought not solely concentrate on supporting renewable energy, but should also actively invest in “transition finance.”
Professor Wang Yao also shared her career experiences and challenges as a woman and shared that two-thirds of the staff of the Institute are women. When asked about her motivation to work in the field despite the challenges, Professor Wang said that her focus on climate change issues and environmental protection issues is the biggest motivation for her to stick to green finance research. After years of efforts, she recognises that the significance of green finance is increasingly resonating with a growing number of individuals, which, in turn, fortifies her confidence in future advancements.