Sustainable Investment Leaders webinar series
As the world battles to overcome the global COVID-19 pandemic, there is a growing vision to ‘build back better’; and, indeed, ‘greener’. COVID-19 could prove to be a turning point in the fight against climate change and the essential need to decarbonise the planet. This response is no longer the ‘right thing to do’ but imperative to create a sustainable future; and green bond investment is one way to help get us there. In 2019, global green bond and green loan issuance rose to USD 258 billion, a new global record up 51% on 2018: but it still represents just 4% of issuance globally.
ICMIF member Folksam (Sweden) is one of the world’s leading investors in green bonds with total investments now exceeding USD 3 billion. Folksam is also a leading advocate in the UN-backed Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, where companies commit to carbon neutral investment portfolios by 2050 (Folksam itself has committed to be carbon neutral by 2030).
In this webinar, Justine Leigh-Bell of the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), explains what green bonds explains what green bonds are and how they are providing a financing mechanism to build more resilient, sustainable and environmentally-friendly communities for tomorrow. Folksam’s President and CEO Ylva Wessén then discusses why the Swedish mutual insurer invests specifically in green bonds and why Sweden has issued more green bonds than any other nation worldwide since 2015.
Speakers:
- Justine Leigh-Bell, Deputy CEO and Director Market Development, Climate Bonds Initiative (UK)
- Ylva Wessén, President and CEO, Folksam (Sweden)
