On 26 July 2021, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) issued a consultation report intended to assist its members in understanding the implications of the activities of environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings and data providers and in establishing frameworks to mitigate risks stemming from these activities. The consultation report has five chapters: Chapter … Continue Reading
On 7 July 2021, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a letter from its Chair, Randal K. Quarles, to G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors ahead of their 9 – 10 July 2021 meeting. Among other things the letter stresses the need for coordinated action to address financial risks posed by climate change, noting … Continue Reading
On 30 June 2021, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) issued a consultation report on recommendations for sustainability-related practices, policies, procedures and disclosure in asset management. The consultation report focuses on investor protection issues and proposes that securities regulators consider setting regulatory and supervisory expectations for asset managers regarding sustainability-related risks and opportunities. The … Continue Reading
On 28 June 2021, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) issued a report on issuers’ sustainability-related disclosures. The report: Provides background and context to IOSCO’s work in the area of sustainability disclosures. Summarises the work that IOSCO has done to develop its vision for an International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) under the International Financial … Continue Reading
On June 16, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1187, the “ESG Disclosure Simplification Act of 2021” (“Act”), by a 215-214 vote. The Act, if passed by the U.S. Senate and signed into law by President Biden, would direct the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) to issue rules requiring public … Continue Reading
On 7 June 2021, the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) announced the following new documents: A new set of climate scenarios. In this second vintage, the NGFS scenarios have been brought up to date, including by incorporating countries’ commitments to reach net-zero emissions. They have also been enriched with an expanded set of … Continue Reading
On 7 June 2021, the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) issued two documents for public comment: Proposed Guidance on Climate-related Metrics, Targets, and Transition Plans. When the TCFD issued its Final Recommendations in 2017, it was aware of the limitations of reporting certain metrics as well as the nascency of climate-related reporting at … Continue Reading
On 11 May 2021, the United Nations Environment Programme published guidance on financial inclusion and financial health target setting. The guidance supports signatory banks in their efforts to set targets for financial inclusion and financial health, in line with the requirements of the Principles for Responsible Banking. Using the guide, banks can understand how to … Continue Reading
On 21 April 2021, the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEPFI) published guidelines for climate targets setting for banks. The guidelines outline key principles to underpin the setting of credible, robust, impactful and ambitious targets in line with achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement. The guidelines outline four principles for target-setting: Banks shall … Continue Reading
On 14 April 2021, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (Basel Committee) published a report ‘Climate-related risk drivers and their transmission channels’. The report explores how climate-related financial risks can arise and impact both banks and the banking system. By synthesising existing literature, it illustrates how physical and transition climate risk drivers affect banks’ financial … Continue Reading
On 6 April 2021, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a letter from its Chair, Randal K. Quarles, to G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors ahead of their virtual meeting on 7 April. The FSB also delivered to the G20 a report on factors to be considered in extending, amending and ending COVID-19 support … Continue Reading
On March 15, 2020, Allison Lee, Acting Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), delivered comments at the Center for American Progress via webcast, announcing the opening of a comment period regarding climate change disclosures. The submissions are to be used in developing future guidance and proposals on ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) issues. … Continue Reading
