Centre for Climate Finance & Investment

SGFC representatives, Professor Hao Liang (Singapore Management University) and Professor Enrico Biffis (Imperial College London), recently participated in the MIT Workshop on Biodiversity and Finance, a collaborative event organised by MIT Sloan School of Management. This workshop brought together leading ecology, sustainability, economics, and finance experts to explore critical questions, including: How do we measure biodiversity loss? How can we assess the impacts of corporate activities on ecosystems? How do we address nature-related financial risks? The agenda included thought-provoking sessions on biodiversity metrics, nature-related risks, viewing nature as an asset class, and exploring future scenarios for biodiversity. These discussions aimed to develop a theoretical framework that connects ecological theories with finance and policy goals. The framework seeks to include a practical measurement process to address impact, risk, and projections, ensuring it is both theoretically sound and grounded in real-world data. SGFC’s Imperial colleagues—Patrick Bolton, Ailsa Roell, and Will Pearse—also contributed to these discussions, alongside ecologists and economists from renowned academic and financial institutions. Both Hao and Enrico’s involvement in this workshop aligns perfectly with our ongoing SGFC Biodiversity Finance Research Project, a key initiative designed to provide actionable insights for policymakers and financial professionals in the region. 

Download our latest policy brief, "Enhancing Market Infrastructure and Integrity to Scale Up Carbon Markets in ASEAN," authored by Raúl C. Rosales, PhD, and based on insights from our recent carbon markets roundtable: https://lnkd.in/gqpDr5kM. Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ ASEAN needs standardised carbon markets and robust carbon pricing mechanisms, requiring strong government efforts and political will. 2️⃣ COP29 marks the full operationalisation of Article 6, enabling global carbon market expansion—the focus now shifts to implementation and mutual recognition of carbon credits. 3️⃣ Institutionalising carbon markets by establishing an "investment-grade" market infrastructure to support a Common Carbon Framework. 4️⃣ Stock exchanges and rating agencies play a vital role in building a regulated market infrastructure that fosters investors' confidence, transparency, and liquidity. 5️⃣ Banks are key to financing carbon projects and providing liquidity for carbon market trading, but they face challenges such as data gaps and regulatory constraints. We have a forward agenda to deepen collaboration among stock exchanges, banks, and key stakeholders, driving impactful research and practical case studies. Throughout 2025 and beyond, we will provide valuable insights through a series of workshops, roundtables, and research papers, to guide governments, policymakers, industries, and financial institutions in supporting the development of the ASEAN Common Carbon Framework. Boon Chye Loh Oi-Yee Choo UK in Singapore Australian High Commission, Singapore Centre for Climate Finance & Investment

Where are the opportunities for green #fintech innovation to support financial institutions' nature and climate ambitions? Join our webinar next week as we discuss takeaways from #COP16 and #COP29, and opportunities for #innovation, with speakers: - Christophe Christiaen - Head of Innovation & Impact, CGFI (chair) - Gilad Goren - Executive Director, Nature Tech Collective - Josh Gilbert - CEO & Co-Founder, Sust Global - Megan Pillsbury - Founder & CEO, Dunya Analytics - Michael Wilkins - Executive Director, Centre for Climate Finance & Investment, Imperial College Business School 📅 10th December, 4-5pm GMT - Takeaways from COP16/29 and Opportunities for Innovation. ➡️ Register: https://lnkd.in/edREFnAb This is the first of two webinars we're holding with Nature Tech Collective and Innovate UK Business Connect, following from our #GreenFintech 2.0 report (https://lnkd.in/eaSRjCPk) and bringing together experts across finance, technology and environmental sectors to discuss the role of #greenfintech in accelerating nature and climate action. See more: https://lnkd.in/eFEs6TwV

Last night, the Imperial Policy Forum hosted an engaging discussion in partnership with Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment, the Centre for Climate Finance & Investment and the Singapore Green Finance Centre on unlocking finance for climate adaptation and resilience in the UK, featuring new insights from Dr Raffaele Della Croce's latest paper. The event brought together a distinguished panel of experts who shared their perspectives on this critical topic. Here are some of the key takeaways from the evening: ➤ Dr Della Croce highlighted a fascinating example from Westminster City Council, where community-driven funding is being used to bridge resource gaps at the municipal level. He also called for a dedicated push to create green bonds targeted specifically at adaptation measures. These could mobilise private capital to protect against climate impacts while ensuring that resilience-building is prioritised in financial markets. ➤ The panel emphasised the urgent need to further develop standards for the resilience of infrastructure and assets more broadly. They also highlighted the importance of creating “investable opportunities” with clear revenue streams and appropriate returns on investment. Getting this right will enable finance to flow effectively. ➤ Julia Prescot CBE raised a key question during the discussion: Are people actually willing to pay for resilience? How do we decide what we are prepared to spend to safeguard our future? Public engagement and clear policy direction are essential to address this challenge. ➤ Alexandre Chavarot discussed the potential to develop a vulnerability metric to measure asset value with and without adaptation measures. Such a metric could demonstrate the financial benefits of resilience and strengthen the case for investment. A huge thank you to our panellists— Emma Howard Boyd CBE, Alexandre Chavarot, Julia Prescot CBE, Amal-Lee Amin and our chair Lara Williams—and to everyone who joined us for this important conversation. 📄 Read Dr Della Croce’s paper here: https://lnkd.in/eRsRD664 Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment Imperial College Business School Centre for Climate Finance & Investment Singapore Green Finance Centre #ClimateResilience #GreenFinance #ClimateAdaptation

Register now for our upcoming two-part webinar series, "Green Fintech Trends and Opportunities: Takeaways from COP16/29", co-hosted with Nature Tech Collective and Innovate UK Business Connect: https://lnkd.in/eFEs6TwV Following from our Green Fintech 2.0 report (https://lnkd.in/eaSRjCPk) the series will brings together experts across finance, technology, and environmental sectors to discuss the role of #greenfintech in accelerating nature and climate action in light of recent #COP16 and #COP29 discussions. 🌐 Takeaways from COP16/29 and Opportunities for Innovation 10th December, 4-5pm GMT This first webinar will reflect on key outcomes from COP16 and COP29 and the implications for the financial sector. We will discuss opportunities for green fintech #innovation in support of financial institutions’ nature and climate ambitions. 🌳 Green Fintech Trends and Solutions for Nature-related Applications 17th December, 3-4pm GMT This second webinar will highlight market developments in green fintech and showcase innovative solutions from companies around the world. We will discuss innovations for both “greening finance” and “financing green” with an emphasis on nature-related applications. Confirmed speakers include: - Andy Bennett, Innovate UK Business Connect - Kanika Chandaria, Agreena - Christophe Christiaen, CGFI - Thomas Fenal, Gentian - Daniel Gibbs, NatWest Group - Josh Gilbert, Sust Global - Gilad Goren, Nature Tech Collective - Janak Padhiar, CGFI - Paula Palermo, Nature Tech Collective - Michael Wilkins, Centre for Climate Finance & Investment, Imperial College Business School