Accrona

Sorting facts from opinions in a sea of information? Lost in the world of sustainable finance opinions? You're not alone! This market thrives on diverse perspectives, but it can be tricky to know what's a fact and what's just someone's view. Here's the breakdown: 1️⃣ Issuers (companies, municipalities, sovereigns, etc.) have their own take (1st opinion).  2️⃣ Independent experts offer a second opinion to verify the issuer's claims.   3️⃣ Investors form their own opinions based on their risk tolerance and goals (3rd opinion).   4️⃣ Verification comes in to see if the project delivers on its promises (4th opinion).  ✅ 5️⃣ Everyone else (NGOs, individuals) also has an opinion (5th opinion).  ️ So, which opinion is the "right" one? There isn't one! Each perspective adds value. The key is understanding the difference between: Facts: Proven truths backed by evidence. Opinions: Personal beliefs shaped by experiences and values (e.g., what's considered "sustainable"). This is why trust matters. Look for opinions from those with "skin in the game," whose reputation relies on accuracy.  Let's discuss!  📍 Are there more opinion categories in sustainable finance? 📍 How do we tell fact from opinion, and how does it impact decisions? 📍 Whose opinions should you prioritise, and why? Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dqanjTUt We've navigated this complex landscape for years, providing over 150 second-party opinions. You can contact us today to chart your course towards a sustainable future. #SustainableFinance #ImpactInvesting #ESG #Investing

Meet Anna Jia, our Manager based in London. With a passion for sustainability, Anna brings a wealth of experience in in-house sustainability management and social sustainability. Her previous experience ranges from pharmaceuticals, shipping, and transportation to social housing. 🌟 Did you know this about Anna? - She holds a degree in Management Engineering from Reykjavik University and has completed prestigious programs at Cambridge University, King’s College London, and University College London. - Anna is fluent in English and Icelandic, and proficient in Chinese and Danish. - In her free time she is a passionate foodie and took a year out to qualify as a Patisserie chef from Le Cordon Bleu, London, and even trained at the Ritz. 👩🍳 - She played handball 🤾♀️ for over a decade and is still very fond of all sorts of sporty activities such as running, hiking and tennis. Anna's commitment to sustainability inspires us every day. We're thrilled to have her on our team, making a real impact! 🌟🌱 Want to learn more about Anna? Check out her LinkedIn profile: https://lnkd.in/dT8QezPr #AccronaOurPeople #SustainableFinance

♻️ Mistakes are OK in sustainable finance, and here is why 👇 The financial world is going greener, but let's be honest — there will be hiccups! This isn't a bad thing. Here's why embracing mistakes is key to building a sustainable future: 🤔 Think about it: From clay tablets to crypto, financial instruments have ALWAYS evolved through trial and error. Sustainable finance is no different. 🚧 Here's the challenge: We need to be thorough, using science to guide our decisions. But getting bogged down in details can slow us down. 💪 The solution? Balance! Accept that mistakes are part of the learning process. They help us refine our approach and develop even better tools. Let's discuss! 📍 Can labelled sustainable financial instruments survive the test of time? 📍 What innovative tools might be on the horizon? 📍 How do we balance risk assessment with room for learning? We've been there, done that (and learned from our mistakes!) in the ever-changing world of sustainable finance. Let us help you navigate the complexities and achieve your ESG goals. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dH23muCm #SustainableFinance #FinancialMarkets #ESG

Meet Knut Halvor Alfsen, our Senior Advisor. Knut brings a wealth of experience in climate and sustainability to Accrona, especially in all things green. 🌍✨ Key areas of Knut’s work include climate change, environmental economics, and sustainable finance. Of the many hats he has worn previously, we can highlight him as the long-standing Director of the CICERO - Center for International Climate Research. There, he established its sustainable finance focus, which ultimately became CICERO Shades of Green (now acquired by S&P Global). His analytical skills were honed in the Research Department of Statistics Norway, where he worked for 17 years, including as Research Director. His work involved overseeing the research strategies, ensuring that they aligned with the organisation's goals, and providing guidance and direction to research staff. 💡Did you know this about Knut? – Knut has worked for more than ten years as a Special Advisor to the The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), an international advisory body to the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. – He has provided more than 50 second opinions on green bonds and loans since the first one in 2008 for a World Bank framework. (Keep an eye out for an upcoming article on this!) 👀  – As a scientist, Knut has published more than 150 articles and books in a number of formats (including prestigious journals). – And he is the father of four children and a steadily growing number of grandchildren! We love learning from Knut’s wealth of experience and are very glad to have him on board, shaping a greener future! 🌱💼 #AccronaOurPeople #SustainableFinance

🚀 AI in sustainable finance. We recently ran a little test on how well AI can help us to create sustainable finance documents. Here are our key learnings:     1️⃣ Quality & nuance: Not all AI systems are created equal. For example, OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4 produced the most detailed and comprehensive green bond framework, while Microsoft’s Copilot required additional prompting and offered less detail.     2️⃣ Critical feedback: When tasked with providing SPOs, AI models initially lacked critical insights. With additional prompting, models like ChatGPT improved, suggesting enhancements for clarity and robustness. 3️⃣ Ethical considerations: Transparency, accountability, and potential biases in AI-generated content are critical concerns. AI lacks the nuanced understanding of the issuers' context and ethical judgment that human experts bring. 👉 Conclusion: While AI can significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of creating sustainable finance documents, human expertise remains essential for ensuring contextual relevance, ethical soundness, and alignment with complex standards. Compare the AI answers by reading our article here: https://lnkd.in/dEaX-rpb #SustainableFinance #AI #FinTech

Last week, Accrona was in Switzerland running a green finance workshop as a part of a client project. We focused on enhancing the client team’s cutting-edge knowledge, methodologies and approach — and refreshed on market best practices in sustainable finance, as well as the crucial skill of bridging the gap between different internal stakeholders. 💡 How can YOU strengthen the sustainable finance skills of your employees? These are some of our favourite methods! 👇 🔹 Learning through case studies and identifying portfolio challenges 🔹 Providing skills updates on risks, business opportunities, impacts, and reporting to stakeholders 🔹 Building internal tools to streamline and make analyst work more efficient and effective with desired outcomes in mind 🔹 Giving ongoing support to address questions Thank you for a great visit Switzerland 🇨🇭, see you soon! #investing #greenfinance #impactinvesting Bjarni Herrera Anna Jia Isha Gupta Waghmare Knut Halvor Alfsen

Meet Isha Gupta Waghmare, our Manager based in Southeast Asia. Isha brings with her over a decade of experience in sustainability and management consulting. She has worked across India, Southeast Asia, and the Nordics, most recently as an ESG Manager at PwC (Philippines). Isha is an expert in business development, market research, strategy, process improvement, and stakeholder management. Her career has spanned diverse sectors, including utilities, BFSI, health, education, and the public sector. 💡Did you know this about Isha? – She holds three master’s degrees and has two publications on gender inclusivity and consumer behaviour. – Isha actively promotes environmental causes, such as circularity, managing waste, optimising electric gadget usage, and maximising natural light as part of her daily life.  – She is a devoted pet mother 🐶 and loves to dabble in painting. 🎨 – She recently discovered a newfound love for the underwater world 🐠 and is working towards obtaining her scuba diving license. Isha’s dedication to corporate sustainability and ESG principles is inspiring. We’re privileged to have her leading initiatives that positively impact society and the planet! 🌍✨ Curious to learn more about Isha? Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/dweTcUGM #AccronaOurPeople #SustainableImpact #ThingsThatMatter

AI is revolutionising how we work and think. But how can it be harnessed for the rapidly evolving landscape of sustainable finance? 🤖 Can AI be a quick and efficient solution to creating sustainable finance documents, including bond frameworks and Second Party Opinions (SPOs), that comply with the most recent guidelines and recommendations? Read our article to compare the results: https://lnkd.in/dEaX-rpb #sustainablefinance #ai #technology

Meet Bjarni Herrera, Accrona’s CEO and Founder. With over a decade of leadership experience in corporate sustainability and 15 years in financial markets, Bjarni has cultivated a profound expertise in corporate sustainability (ESG) and sustainable finance. His career journey has traversed the Nordics, Asia, the USA, LATAM, and Europe and is the foundation for Accrona’s global approach. 💡 Did you know this about Bjarni? – He started skiing at 2 years old and does cross-country skiing, downhill, and backcountry ⛷️ – Bjarni’s grandmother is Colombian and met his Icelandic grandfather in Madrid, Spain, soon after the Second World War – Bjarni majored in psychology in high school – When staying in Asia, Bjarni lived in Seoul, Manila, Singapore, Shanghai, Taipei, and Hong Kong. 🇰🇷🇵🇭 🇸🇬🇨🇳🇹🇼🇭🇰 Under Bjarni's guidance, Accrona is at the forefront of helping our clients connect sustainability and finance. He has also just launched his first book, Supercharging Sustainability, giving a big-picture overview of ESG 2.0 and sustainable finance! 🌍 Curious to learn more about Bjarni? You can connect with him at https://lnkd.in/dRgKpQxc or subscribe to his monthly newsletter at https://lnkd.in/darqXMVh #AccronaOurPeople #SuperchargingSustainability

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) recently published new guidelines responding to the growing demand for investment funds incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. The guidelines aim to prevent greenwashing and misleading claims about sustainability by ensuring that funds using ESG or sustainability-related terms in their names meet appropriate standards. 🌱 🔎 What is your opinion on the guidelines? How do you think they will affect funds involved in transition funding? And will obvious gaps emerge regarding the thresholds and exclusionary criteria set in the requirements? Read our recent blog post on the guidelines and their implications: https://lnkd.in/dHupbNKq