Malaysian Association of Public Advocacy for Nature (MAPAN)’s Post

The Green Bond market that is currently at US$4 trillion, needs to expand 10x for companies to meet their Net Zero targets. Despite a slowdown in FY23 due to rising interest rates, there is an enormous appetite among issuers and investors, driven by simplicity of instrument - and these 'use of proceed' labeled bonds playing an instrumental role in bridging barriers between government-environmental ministries and financial institutions. Growing demand for Green Bonds is providing finance for capital hungry projects and sectors that were previously considered unviable, such as, steel plants utilizing hydrogen, CCUS and low carbon shipping. Defined and a mature taxonomy too is acting as a key catalyst for raising public and private capital. Mamta Chander / Turiya #climatetransition #greenfinance #greenbonds #climatebonds #financingtransition #sustainablefinance Image source: European Commission, CBI

The practice of greenwashing – when companies share misleading or unsupported claims about the environmental benefits of their products, services, or activities – continues despite the potential risks to companies and stakeholders. From 2022 to 2023, the number of greenwashing cases worldwide rose by 21.1%. In Canada, greenwashing incidents in banking and finance increased by 70% in 2023, linked to funding activities in the fossil fuel and oil and gas sectors. This echoes greenwashing within the Canadian oil and gas sectors itself. In our latest article, Shane Tiley, Engagement Manager, Stewardship, explores greenwashing in Canada's oil and gas industry, analyzing perspectives from industry, NGOs, government, and investors. Discover more at https://lnkd.in/eYENVqPZ #greenwashing #oilandgas #oilsands #ESG

One of the great decarbonization challenges at the heart of the net-zero transition is how to encourage an orderly shift away from coal-fired power in Asia while keeping costs low, maintaining security of supply and supporting regional employment and livelihoods. But what if we can keep the power station and swap out the coal? HSBC and Repower have just launched a new Whitepaper looking at exactly that -- reusing all or part of an existing coal power plant to provide like for like service, minus the coal. Check it out here >> https://lnkd.in/eft46JdC Congratulations to Randolph Brazier, Jenny McInnes, Luke Bettesworth and the rest of the team at HSBC for asking the right questions and supporting a key partner in Repower to help find practical, real-world solutions for Asia's transition to net-zero emissions.

Obvious "Inconsistencies" continue in the emerging Global Carbon Economy. In the race to accomplish 2030 targets... Strident oversight of the rapid second-wave expansion of the Carbon economy (CE 2.0) is necessary to eliminate bad actors and those who blatantly change the rules of technology outcomes via "Hidden Subsidies" #carbonAI #CarbonBank #CE2

The Bahamas has taken significant steps in the carbon credit market with the enactment of the Carbon Credit Trading Act, 2022. This legislation establishes a regulatory framework for carbon credit business activities within the country, including carbon trading exchanges, carbon credit verification bodies, and carbon trading registries. This is an interesting read. https://lnkd.in/efZx-N4z

The sustainable investing landscape underscores the growing scrutiny on investment funds claiming to prioritize environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. As investor demand for sustainable investments rises, so does the necessity for transparency and accountability in ESG-focused funds. Regulators and investors alike express concerns about inconsistencies in ESG reporting and the potential for "greenwashing," emphasizing the need for robust standards to ensure investors can trust that their investments align with their values. This scrutiny reflects a broader shift towards greater awareness and scrutiny of environmental and social issues within the financial industry. With investors increasingly prioritizing sustainability and ethics, there's a corresponding demand for investment products genuinely delivering on ESG promises. Collaboration among regulators and industry stakeholders to establish clear guidelines and standards for ESG reporting is crucial. By promoting transparency and integrity in sustainable investing, the financial sector can drive positive social and environmental outcomes while meeting the evolving needs of investors. #SustainableInvesting #ESG #FinancialIndustry #Transparency #Accountability #Greenwashing #Regulation #InvestorTrust #EnvironmentalImpact #SocialResponsibility #EthicalInvesting #FinancialRegulation

Congratulations to all partners involved, especially the Government of the Philippines, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), IFC - International Finance Corporation, and The World Bank. I'm proud to share that the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) has endorsed the Philippines' bold move towards a cleaner, greener future! 🌏 The $500 million investment plan, under our Accelerating Coal Transition program, will spearhead the shift from coal to renewable power, marking a significant step in the effort against climate change. With CIF's support, the Philippines is set to retire or repurpose coal-fired plants, paving the way for a more sustainable energy landscape. The plan also includes adding 1500 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, ensuring not just environmental benefits but also fostering economic growth and improving community health and livelihoods. This initiative aligns with the Philippines' commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030. Scott Morris, Ndiamé Diop, Jean-Marc Arbogast

Our team of carbon market experts will be attending Carbon Forward in London this week, focusing on some of the most pertinent topics impacting #carbonmarkets today and in the future. Connect with our team to get the latest insights across: ✔️EU and UK compliance markets ✔️UK ETS reform and the analyst showdown ✔️Carbon markets and carbon finance ✔️The convergence of voluntary and compliance markets and CORSIA ✔️Voluntary Carbon Market development and credit quality issues ✔️Early stage carbon project investment To arrange a meeting, contact Tyler Manchester, Tim Atkinson, Jaclyn Foss, Federico Siviero and James Rosser. #carbonforward #voluntarycarbonmarket #VCM #emissions #netzero

Ongoing debate over the role of coal in South-East Asian economies has influenced consultations on the Association of Southeast Asian Nation’s sustainable finance taxonomy. Intergovernmental organisation the Asean Centre for Energy has proposed a further relaxation of the framework’s approach towards coal in a report. This possibility is “deeply concerning”, says Christina Ng, managing director of the energy finance think-tank Energy Shift Institute. “Amending the taxonomy to extend coal power’s acceptance, or delay its phaseout, would signal to international ESG investors that the region’s commitment to the energy transition is wavering," she says. Read more below. #energytransition #coalphaseout #coalpower https://lnkd.in/e7F-EWCN

The Dark Side of “Green” Bonds: Italy’s largest fossil fuel giant, Eni, is leveraging “green” bonds to fund their hydrocarbons projects. These Sustainability-Linked Bonds (SLBs) appear environmentally friendly, but the reality? Billions are funneled into carbon-heavy activities. Investors hoping to make an impact should think twice before buying into greenwashing disguised as sustainability. 🌱💸 #GreenFinance #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Greenwashing #ClimateChange