Investing in a net zero future – CFWI to take place from 11-15th Oct
Climate Finance Week Ireland (CFWI), a key action under the Ireland for Finance Strategy is now in its fourth year, and once again is proudly sponsored by AIB. CFWI has, over the years, developed into the landmark sustainable finance event covering broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) topics in Ireland.
CFWI will take place in October this year, in advance of the key 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26 in November. 2021 is a critical year for Climate Change and Sustainable Finance and CFWI21 will showcase the financial ecosystems best in class activities. These include how firms have secured leadership buy-in, supported internal sustainable finance talent development, overcame data challenges, and utilised digital technologies to roll out new products, while fully integrating reporting frameworks, specifically the Task Force on Climate related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
Speaking about the event the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe TD said: ‘We are delighted to be co-hosting Climate Finance Week Ireland once again with Sustainable Finance Ireland in what is a critical year for this agenda. With the launch of our own Climate Action Plan due shortly and the UN COP26 taking place in November, this year’s event can build on the strong momentum already underway in financing the climate transition and a forum for people to understand the opportunities being created in Climate and Sustainable Finance’.
Delegates to the virtual events taking place across the week will have the opportunity to hear from the most senior international decision makers and thought leaders about how best to accelerate progression to net-zero.
Colin Hunt, Head of AIB, said: ‘We are delighted once again to partner with Sustainable Finance Ireland in the delivery of Climate Finance Week Ireland 2021. Sustainability is now firmly on the agenda as a priority for long-term business success. There is a clear onus on business leaders to demonstrate how they are responding to these challenges and supporting customers and communities in the essential transition to a net zero economy. The annual AIB Sustainability Conference is the first event of the week, and we’re looking forward to continuing the conversation with global and local leaders on how we can do more to ensure a greener tomorrow by backing those building it today’.
Minister of State, Sean Fleming TD, who is responsible for the Ireland for Finance strategy, commented; “I am looking forward to taking part once again in Climate Finance Week Ireland as the Sustainable Finance agenda is a priority area for the future growth of the international financial services sector in Ireland. The event has developed into a key element of the Ireland for Finance strategy and how we engage with stakeholders on this vital topic.”
Snapshot of CFWI21 events include:
- AIB sustainability conference which is now in its 5th year will be one of 20+ virtual events taking place across the week;
- The publication of the first Irish Sustainable Finance Roadmap;
- International meetings including the annual meeting of the UN-convened Sustainable Insurance Forum (SIF), a forum of 31 international insurance Supervisors and UN-convened Financial Centres for Sustainability (FC4S), a network of 36 international financial centres;
- Climate-disclosures & reporting: a focus on Ireland’s progress related to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD);
- Strong focus on skills and talent development across the week.
Delegates can register their interest at www.climatefinanceweek2021.ie
ENDS
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
*Climate Finance Week Ireland
An output of the Ireland for Finance annual Action Plan, Climate Finance Week Ireland is now in its fourth year. In 2020, Climate Finance Week attracted over 5,000 virtual attendees; 5.5 million social media impressions; and included the awarding of the Climate Action Award to Mark Carney, COP26 Private Finance Advisor and UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance and former Governor of the Bank of England. CFWI is organised by Sustainable Finance Ireland.
**About the Ireland for Finance strategy
International Financial Services Strategy 2025 – Ireland for Finance
In April 2019, the Government of Ireland launched Ireland for Finance, its whole-of-Government strategy for the further development of the international financial services sector in Ireland to 2025. The vision of the Strategy is for Ireland to be a top-tier location of choice for specialist international financial services. The Strategy is structured around the following four pillars. Three horizontal priorities apply across the four pillars: regionalisation, sustainable finance, and diversity .
*** AIB Sustainability Conference
The AIB Sustainability Conference is an annual event where the bank hosts global and local leaders to share insights, learnings and best practice about how business can address the issue of Climate Action as part of a broader Sustainability approach. The 2020 event hosted circa 3,000 attendees with speakers including Paul Polman (ex Unilever CEO), Dame Ellen MacArthur and Christiana Figueres (former Exec Sec UN Convention on Climate Change
****About Sustainable Finance Ireland:
Sustainable Finance Ireland works to position Ireland as a leader in sustainable finance. All activities are aligned with government’s Ireland for Finance strategy and help to deliver on annual action plans.