Marie Kemplay explores significant developments underway within the voluntary carbon markets.

Although they are making the first steps, Europe’s largest banks are not yet doing enough to address climate change and nature loss. 

Research shows that executives holding company shares are of tangible detriment to their companies’ ESG performance.

While European banks have a little more time to get their deforestation affairs in order, the wind is blowing towards requirement rather than suggestion.

While progress is being made in the world’s mission to preserve the climate, a big boost in annual finance and improved standards are necessary to stay on track.

Following the COP27 summit in Egypt, experts describe the financial infrastructure “not fit for purpose”, with developing countries at risk of being locked out of key markets. 

While others in the region have made noises about phasing out coal, one bank has put its money where its mouth is despite the difficulties. 

As the Net-Zero Banking Alliance continues to expand, lenders are caught between the urgency of the climate crisis, accusations of greenwashing, and the practical — as well as political — challenges of setting decarbonisation targets.

The alliance insists the move is of great ecological benefit, but historically banks have not held the agribusinesses they finance to proper account. A legislative response rather than individual efforts seems necessary.

The bank’s head of ESG advisory and financing solutions explains why he expects no let-up in client demand for support in navigating the increasingly complex ESG landscape.