SPI symposium 2023

The inaugural Sustainable Policy Institute symposium in 2021 brought together central bank governors and speakers from 12 central banks, the Bank for International Settlements, World Bank, United Nations, European Investment Bank and others. Attended by 1,000+ experts from across the financial sector, the events panels, keynotes and roundtables tackled the challenges of directing investment towards greener financial markets. On 22-23 March 2023, the symposium returned to delve into the role of monetary policy, climate risk, regulation and disclosure, addressing practical challenges in driving sustainable financial markets to achieve net zero.

This hybrid event was held in London, convening a global network of key policy-makers, regulators, public and private sector investors and ESG experts. The symposium included open, public sessions attended by sustainable finance experts from across our network, and off-record high-level roundtables. The agenda enabled participants to make their voices heard on important issues at this critical time and move the industry beyond words into action.

Agenda

Day one agenda

08:00 – 09:00 Conference registration

08:55 – 09:00 OMFIF welcome address

09:00 – 09:45 Opening fireside-chat: Sustainability, Monetary policy and Central bank mandates

PART ONE: THE ROLE OF CENTRAL BANKS

09:45 – 10:45 Panel: The role of central banks in driving the net-zero transition: Portfolio management, corporate strategy and risk management

10:45 – 11:15: Refreshment break

11:15 – 12:15 Panel: Preventing a disorderly transition: scenario analysis, risk frameworks and stress testing

PART TWO: THE ‘S’, DISCLOSURE AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS

12:15 – 13:10 Fireside-chat: Nature-related risk and driving nature-positive finance

13:10 – 14:15 Lunch and networking

14:15 – 15:15 Panel: Converging sustainability regulation: Developments in reporting, building transparency and managing climate risk

15:15 – 16:15 Impact investment, mobilising assets and portfolio management

16:15 – 16:55 Advocating change: A whistle-blowers story on greenwashing, defining impact and moving sustainable finance forward

16:55 – 17:00 Closing remarks

Day two agenda

08:00 – 09:15 Breakfast briefing: Digital technology and ESG: harnessing blockchain and green bond tokenisation

08:30 – 09:30 Conference registration

09:30 – 09:35 Conference welcome address

09:35 – 10:35 Panel: Climate geopolitics, ESG objectives and international co-operation

PART THREE: IMPACT, DISCLOSURE AND DATA

10:35 – 11:45 Panel: Driving sustainable capital markets: transition finance and emerging markets

11:45 – 12:15 Refreshment break

12:15 – 13:15 Green, social and sustainable (GSS) bonds: innovation, frameworks and capital market growth

13:15 – 14:15 Lunch

14:15 – 15:15 ESG data and the green transition – hindrance or help?

15:15 – 15:55 In conversation: Advocating change: A whistle-blower’s story on greenwashing, defining impact and moving sustainable finance forward

15:55 – 16:00 Closing remarks

Watch the public Symposium sessions On Demand below:

Day one

Day two

Fireside chat: Sustainability, monetary policy and central bank mandates


This opening session examines the interplay between climate, monetary policy, central bank mandates and market neutrality. Speakers highlight the role of climate on price, inflation and macroeconomic stability, and the measures and programmes being implemented. They also tackle the question on whether central banks are overstepping their mandates with measures to drive green finance.

Speakers:

Barnabás Virág, Deputy Governor, Magyar Nemzeti Bank
Clara Raposo, Vice Governor, Banco de Portugal

Session I: The Role Of Central Banks In Driving The Net-Zero Transition


Portfolio management, corporate strategy and risk management
This high-level panel discusses the role of central banks as reserve managers, asset managers and investors, as well as the business models, toolkits and strategy needed for the transition. Speakers touch upon supervisory and regulatory interventions for climate mitigation including policy, risk frameworks and portfolio allocation.

Speakers:
Eric Bouyé, Manager, Product, Knowledge and Research, Treasury, World Bank
Chuchi Fonacier, Deputy Governor, Financial Supervision Sector, Bangko Sentral
ng Pilipinas
Franco Panfili, Deputy Director General, Directorate General for Markets and Payment Systems, Banca d’Italia
Simone Robbers, Assistant Governor and General Manager, Strategy, Governance and Sustainability, Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Moderator: John Orchard, Chief Executive Officer, OMFIF

Session II: Preventing A Disorderly Transition


Scenario analysis, risk frameworks and stress testing
The financial sector is increasingly on the path towards a disorderly transition to net zero. This technical panel outlines climate stress testing and scenario analysis
tools, metrics and methodologies for understanding transition and physical risk implications. Panellists assess how climate risk strategy and assessments can be integrated into the financial sector, progress made, challenges faced and how the financial sector can achieve an orderly transition to net zero.

Speakers:
Elías Albagli, Director, Monetary Policy Division and Chief Economist, Central Bank of Chile
Satoshi Ikeda, Chief Sustainable Finance Officer, Japan Financial Services Agency
David-Jan Jansen, Economist, Financial Stability, De Nederlandsche Bank
Steven Rothstein, Managing Director, Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets, Ceres
Livio Stracca, Deputy Director General, Macroprudential Policy and Financial Stability, European Central Bank
Moderator: Emma McGarthy, Head, Sustainable Policy Institute, OMFIF

Session III: Nature-Related Risk And Driving Nature-Positive Finance


Nature-positive finance is rising on the financial sector’s agenda and impacts on biodiversity are increasingly integrated into risk frameworks and tools. With the development of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, disclosure and reporting standards are evolving, and nature capital, products and naturepositive investments are scaling up. This panel discusses the importance of understanding, assessing and disclosing nature-related risk and how we can scale up nature-positive finance.

Speakers:
Judson Berkey, Member, Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures
Jean Boissinot, Head of Secretariat, Network for Greening the Financial System
Karen Ellis, Chief Economist, WWF UK
Moderator: Ellie Groves, Managing Director, Economic and Monetary Policy
Institute, OMFIF

Session IV: Converging Sustainability Regulation


This panel discusses regulatory developments and reporting requirements, materiality implications and risk, as well as expectations on building transparency, trust and greenwashing prevention in the financial sector.

Speakers:
Carlo Funk, Head ESG Investment Strategy – EMEA, State Street Global Advisors
Marcus Mølbak Ingholt, Lead Climate Economist, Danmarks Nationalbank
Sacha Sadan, Director, ESG, Financial Conduct Authority
Lee White, Executive Director, International Financial Reporting Standards
Foundation
Moderator: Taylor Pearce, Senior Economist, OMFIF

Session V: Impact Investment, Mobilising Assets And Portfolio Management


This panel explores how to drive investments with positive impact, including how to reallocate capital and mobilise assets, build resilient sustainability portfolios and green products. It also touches upon issues of integrating blended finance and additionality, engaging shareholders and asset ownership versus divestment.

Speakers:
Michiel De Smet, Sustainable Investment Expert, National Bank of Belgium
Yuan Gao, Vice President, Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities, China
International Capital Corporation
Sophie Gioanni, Head of Investor Relations, ILX Management
Yvonne McCarthy, Head of Climate Change Unit, Central Bank of Ireland
Moderator: Clive Horwood, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Managing Editor, OMFIF

Fireside Chat: How The Financial Sector Can Solve The Climate Crisis And Ensure A Just Transition


This closing fireside chat discusses the objectives of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, how the financial sector can support the decarbonisation of the economy and how divestment from carbon-intense sectors can be supported to ensure a just transition. The discussion examines the necessary investment policies for banks to meet their commitments and targets.

Alice Carr, Executive Director, Public Policy, Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero
Emma McGarthy, Head, Sustainable Policy Institute, OMFIF

Session VI: Climate Geopolitics, ESG Objectives And International Co-Operation


International co-operation is integral to meeting net-zero targets and the goals of the Paris agreement. This discussion examines how the real economy and financial sector can work together, manage supply chains and trade and work with highemitting sectors to ensure a sustainable economy. It also assesses the status of the energy market, as well as the policies and actions necessary to facilitate the transition

Speakers:
Marcel Haag, Director for Horizontal Policies, Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, European Commission
Maya Hennerkes, Director, Green Financial Systems, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Øystein Olsen, former Governor, Norges Bank
Jean-Marie Paugam, Deputy Director General, World Trade Organization
Marina Petroleka, Global Head of Research, Sustainable Fitch
Moderator: Ellie Groves, Managing Director, Economic and Monetary Policy Institute, OMFIF

Session VII: Driving Sustainable Capital Markets: Transition Finance And Emerging Markets


With a particular focus on emerging markets, this high-level panel discusses the policy and frameworks needed to scale up sustainable capital markets, innovation and developments of ESG financial products in local markets, and how to mobilise capital and private investment.

Speakers:
Rami Aboul Naga, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Egypt
Irene Espinosa, Deputy Governor, Banco de México
Sarah Kemmitt, Lead, Secretariat, Net-Zero Banking Alliance
Sheila M’Mbijjewe, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Kenya
Moderator: Nikhil Sanghani, Managing Director, Research, OMFIF

Session VIII: GSS Bonds: Innovation, Frameworks And Capital Market Growth


Green, social and sustainable bonds have expanded enormously in the past few years. This panel assesses the GSS bond market, issuance levels and impact, and the infrastructure, tools and solutions required to drive capital market growth. Panellists touch upon the development of catastrophe bonds, risk-linked securities and public-private partnerships.

Speakers:
Ignacio de Calonje, Chief Investment Officer, Global Infrastructure, International Finance Corporation
Marcus Pratsch, Head, Sustainable Bonds and Finance, DZ BANK
Jessica Pulay, Co-head of Policy and Markets, UK Debt Management Office
Moderator: Burhan Khadbai, Head of Content, Sovereign Debt Institute, OMFIF

Session IX: ESG Data And The Green Transition – Hindrance Or Help?


Being able to rely on accurate data is the foundation for understanding risk, setting targets, ensuring transparency and reporting adequately. The final session explores collecting high-quality data and the importance of density. Panellists discuss challenges surrounding the assessment of scope three emissions, forward-looking data and projections as well as using data to demonstrate
outcome and reintroduce judgement into finance.
Speakers:
Theodora Antonakaki, Director, Climate Change and Sustainability Centre, Bank of Greece
Nicolette Bartlett, Chief Impact Officer, CDP
Christophe Christiaen, Data, Innovation and Impact Lead, Oxford Sustainable Finance Programme
Antonios Panagiotopoulos, Executive Director, ESG & Climate Research , MSCI
Moderator: Emma McGarthy, Head, Sustainable Policy Institute, OMFIF

In Conversation: Advocating Change: A Whistleblower’S Story On Greenwashing


Desiree Fixler, Chair, VentureESG
John Orchard, Chief Executive Officer, OMFIF

Symposium supporters

         

SPI members supporting the symposium

Speakers

Elías Albagli
Director
Monetary Policy Division and Chief Economist
Central Bank of Chile

Theodora Antonakaki
Director
Climate Change and Sustainability Centre
Bank of Greece

Nicolette Bartlett
Chief Impact Officer
CDP

Judson Berkey
Member
Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures

Jean Boissinot
Head of Secretariat
Network for Greening the Financial System

Eric Bouyé
Manager
Product, Knowledge and Research
World Bank Treasury

Alice Carr
Executive Director
Public Policy
Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero

Christophe Christiaen
Data, Innovation and Impact Lead
Oxford Sustainable Finance Programme

Ignacio de Calonje
Chief Investment Officer
Global Infrastructure
International Finance Corporation

Michiel De Smet
Sustainable Investment Expert
National Bank of Belgium

Karen Ellis
Chief Economist
WWF UK

Irene Espinosa
Deputy Governor
Banco de México

Desiree Fixler
Chair
VentureESG

Chuchi Fonacier
Deputy Governor
Financial Supervision Sector
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Carlo Funk
Head ESG Strategist – EMEA
State Street Global Advisors

Yuan Gao
Vice President
Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities
China International Capital Corporation

Marcel Haag
Director
Directorate-General for Financial Stability
Financial Services and Capital Markets Union

Maya Hennerkes
Director
Green Financial Systems
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Satoshi Ikeda
Chief Sustainable Finance Officer
Japan Financial Services Agency

Marcus Mølbak Ingholt
Senior Lead Climate Economist
Danmarks Nationalbank

David-Jan Jensen
Economist
Financial Stability
De Nederlandsche Bank

Sarah Kemmitt
Lead Secretariat
Net-Zero Banking Alliance

Teresa Lai Man Lin
Adviser
Bank for International Settlements’ Innovation Hub
Hong Kong Centre

Yvonne Mccarthy
Head of Climate Change Unit
Central Bank of Ireland

Sheila M’Mbijjewe
Deputy Governor
Central Bank of Kenya

Marja Nykänen
Deputy Governor
Bank of Finland

Rami Aboul Naga
Deputy Governor
Central Bank of Egypt

Øystein Olsen
Former Governor
Norges Bank

Antonios Panagiotopoulos
Executive Director
ESG and Climate Research
MSCI

Franco Panfili
Deputy Director General
Directorate General for Markets and Payment Systems
Banca d’Italia

Jean-Marie Paugam
Deputy Director General
World Trade Organization

Marina Petroleka
Global Head of Research
Sustainable Fitch

Marcus Pratsch
Head
Sustainable Bonds and Finance
DZ BANK

Jessica Pulay
Co-head of Policy and Markets
UK Debt Management Office 

Clara Raposo
Vice Governor
Banco de Portugal

Steven Rothstein
Managing Director
Ceres

Simone Robbers
Assistant Governor and General Manager
Strategy, Governance and Sustainability
Reserve Bank of New Zealand

Sacha Sadan
Director of ESG
Financial Conduct Authority

Manfred Schepers
Chief Executive Officer
ILX Management

Livio Stracca
Deputy Director General Macroprudential Policy and Financial Stability
European Central Bank

Lee White
Executive Director
IFRS Foundation

Barnabás Virág
Deputy Governor
Magyar Nemzeti Bank

Xiaochen Zhang
Global Head
Innovation and GTM
Amazon Web Services

Themes

Monetary policy and market neutrality
Climate risk and mitigation frameworks
Scaling up sustainable capital markets
ESG reserves, investment and asset management
Just transition, emerging markets and moving beyond the ‘E’ in ESG
Data metrics, ratings and disclosure

Event at a glance

  • Hybrid one-and-a-half day event, being physically held in London with option of virtual attendance for those who cannot be there in person
  • 30+ speakers from OMFIF’s global central banking community
  • Attendees drawn from policy-makers, investors and sustainability and ESG experts
  • Public panels and private roundtables
  • Virtual exhibition stand area, open forums, bilateral meetings
  • Central banks reporting directly on monetary policy, investment, data metrics, disclosure and regulatory standards
  • Industry experts delivering the latest thought leadership

Become a partner in 2024

OMFIF’s SPI symposium provides an excellent platform for sponsors to showcase expertise and display leadership in their field, speaking to a global audience of public and private sector representatives. Sponsors of the symposium can engage with attendees in bespoke virtual exhibition stands and interact directly with speakers in private roundtables held during the conference.

If you would like to discuss SPI symposium partnership opportunities please contact partnerships@omfif.org 

Edoardo Barbi
Commercial Executive
Partnerships@omfif.org

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