✍ Are Investors Falling Out of Love with ESG? CCFI Executive Director, Michael Wilkins, talks to Forbes' Jamie Hailstone about the current challenge that sustainable investment faces. Multiple factors - including socioeconomic instability, geopolitical uncertainty and fear of greenwashing - has resulted in an "unsustainable ESG-bubble". “There is ample scientific evidence that backs the need [for] investment, which is geared towards tackling the causes and impacts of climate change. "ESG investing may have had its day, but sustainability is here to stay.” Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/e66_itJB #Sustainability #ESG #ClimateFinance #Investment Imperial College Business School, Imperial College London Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment
Centre for Climate Finance & Investment
Research Services
London, South Kensington 11,193 followers
We unlock solutions within capital markets to address the challenges posed by global climate change.
About us
We execute interdisciplinary research combining intellectual rigour and industry relevance. Through collaboration between academics and practitioners, we are generating a new understanding of the investment opportunity in renewable energy, clean technologies, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
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https://www.imperial.ac.uk/business-school/faculty-research/research-centres/climate-finance-investment/
External link for Centre for Climate Finance & Investment
- Industry
- Research Services
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- London, South Kensington
- Founded
- 2016
Updates
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CCFI Researchers were delighted to participate in engaging, thought-provoking and valuable discussions during a recent MIT Workshop on Biodiversity and Finance. The involvement of Imperial researchers in this workshop aligns perfectly with our collaborative work with the Singapore Green Finance Centre's Biodiversity Finance Research Project, a key initiative designed to provide actionable insights for policymakers and financial professionals in the region. The workshop showcases the quality of thought leadership at work in the world of biodiversity finance. The CCFI would like to thank MIT Sloan School of Management for hosting the workshop. Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment Imperial College Business School Imperial College London #ClimateFinance #Biodiversity #NatureRisk #GreenInvestment
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.
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COP29 Review: Progress or Betrayal? The Trillion-Dollar Question on Climate Financing The curtain has now come down on the COP29 climate summit in Baku. And while a trillion dollar deal for climate financing was done at the last minute, some campaigners have called it a betrayal - as much of that figure will have to come from private financing or new sources which have yet to be agreed. Michael Wilkins recently spoke to Juliet Mann on #TheAgenda about where this leaves us. https://lnkd.in/ecESJfuq Imperial College Business School Imperial College London
COP29 Review: Progress or Betrayal? The Trillion-Dollar Question on Climate Financing
https://www.youtube.com/
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Following a successful roundtable held in Singapore in November, Raúl C. Rosales, PhD has published a policy brief with five key takeaways, providing significant insights into the region’s decarbonisation pathways. ⬇️ Standardisation and Alignment in ASEAN Carbon Markets: There is an urgent need to standardise and align ASEAN’s fragmented carbon markets to prevent carbon leakage and ensure robust carbon pricing mechanisms. This requires significant governmental efforts and strong political will. Operationalisation of Article 6: COP29 marks the full operationalisation of Article 6, establishing a system to expand and link global markets with higher integrity and environmental standards. The focus now shifts to effective implementation, with clear definitions and mutual recognition of carbon credits. Institutionalising Carbon Markets: Establishing a robust, ‘investment-grade’ market infrastructure is essential for the energy transition. This includes integrating nature-based and technology-driven solutions and preparing corporations for compliance. The memorandum of collaboration signed by five ASEAN carbon market associations at COP29 is a pivotal step toward developing the ASEAN Common Carbon Framework (AACF). Role of Stock Exchanges and Rating Agencies: Stock exchanges provide price transparency and tradable instruments, while rating agencies assess the quality of carbon credits. Together, they build a regulated market infrastructure that fosters investor confidence, transparency, and liquidity. Challenges and Opportunities for Banks: Banks face challenges such as the lack of standardised data and geopolitical risks in cross-border financing. However, they have opportunities to finance carbon markets by providing liquidity, integrating carbon pricing into risk assessments, and collaborating with insurance firms and development finance institutions to de-risk investments.
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
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Yesterday, the Centre for Climate Finance & Investment's Ryan Williams, PhD and Mili Fomicov attended the CCG-IEA Data-to-Deal workshop in Paris. They explored both sides of the net zero balance sheet (capacity and finance), and policy mechanisms to unlock private sector investments in emerging market renewables. The CCFI extends its thanks to the organisers and the International Energy Agency (IEA) for hosting this event.
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Join the UK Centre for Greening Finance and Investment (CGFI) as it reflects on the outcomes from COP16 and COP29 and the implications for the financial sector. This webinar, featuring CCFI's Michael Wilkins, will discuss opportunities for green fintech innovation in support of financial institutions' nature and climate ambitions.
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
Webinar - Takeaways from COP16/29 and Opportunities for Innovation. 10 Dec, 4-5pm GMT.
events.teams.microsoft.com
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The Centre for Climate Finance & Investment wishes to sincerely thank all who attended Wednesday's launch, hosted by the Imperial Policy Forum in partnership with the Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College Business School's CCFI and Singapore Green Finance Centre. The Centre was delighted to see an engaged audience and discuss the recent insights highlighted in Dr Raffaele Della Croce's recent paper series, 'Financing Adaptation and Resilience in London and the UK: Moving from Aspiration to Reality.' https://lnkd.in/eQ_YpXxs The CCFI also wishes to acknowledge the papers' co-authors, Stella Whittaker, Claudia Hlavackova, and Phuong Nguyen.
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
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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
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A new joint statement featuring notable names in climate finance and climate science has been published, calling for an urgent revision of the New Common Quantified Goal of Climate Finance. Authored by Prof Patrick Bolton (Imperial College Business School) and Dr Alissa M. Kleinnijenhuis (Cornell University, Imperial College Business School), the statement insists that the 2°C Goal of the Paris Agreement is not good enough. "It is vital to small island nations, and the world, to deliver on the Paris Agreement goal of 1.5°C. Every 0.1°C counts." The statement, supported by Bolton and Kleinnijenhuis' recent policy brief, stresses the need for the best available climate science and climate finance to align with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Signatories include the CCFI's Michael Wilkins, Prof Peter Tufano of Harvard University and Prof Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Action Research. The joint statement has been featured recently in the FT. https://lnkd.in/dimHrHzW 🔗 https://lnkd.in/etbs6-4K Policy brief: https://lnkd.in/eiQ8Stng
Joint Statement on the New Common Quantified Goal (NCQG) of Climate Finance and Its Delivery on the 1.5°C Paris Agreement Goal - E-Axes Forum
http://e-axes.org
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A new COP agreement will see rich countries step up contributions to aid developing countries with climate change effects, committing $300 billion by 2035. Michael Wilkins of Imperial College Business School's Centre for Climate Finance & Investment says the latest agreement announced at COP29 Azerbaijan is “a disappointingly small step, but one in the right direction.” Is any deal better than no deal? The $300 billion figure was criticised by developing countries, with delegates implying the sum was laughable. “During the final two days, it even appeared that the talks would break down in acrimony and there would be no deal struck, leaving the whole UN process is chaos and the world no closer to achieving a meaningful climate solution. Yet, as so often happens at COPs, a rabbit was pulled out of the hat at the last minute. “While the promised public funding falls way short of the trillions of dollars poor and vulnerable nations say they need to climate-proof their economies, it is still a considerable step up from the $100 billion per annum pledged 15 years ago in Copenhagen, a target that only recently has been achieved.” Read more: https://ow.ly/hcfF50UeZr9 #COP29 #ClimateFinance #FinanceCOP #FundingGap Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment
COP29's $300bn climate pledge a 'disappointingly small step in right direction' | Imperial News | Imperial College London
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