The UK Government has joined forces with the Green Finance Institute and 12 financial professional bodies to launch the first Green Finance Education Charter.
The Charter was first announced in the UK’s Green Finance Strategy in July 2019, which committed to ensuring financial risks and opportunities from climate change were integrated into mainstream financial decision making.
As part of the Charter, financial services bodies will be expected to engage members on issues related to climate change and environmental issues by the end of this year, as well as develop and promote relevant resources to members on green and sustainable finance and encourage the adoption of global and national standards.
Over the longer term, they will be asked to engage with policymakers, regulators and researchers to identify and promote best practice within green and sustainable finance; collaborate with signatories to the Charter, work with the Green Finance Institute to engage employers and report annually on progress in making green and sustainable finance mainstream.
Dr Rhian-Mari Thomas, chief executive, Green Finance Institute, says: “Green is one of the most exciting, creative and fast-growing areas of finance and the skills required to drive the agenda will be increasingly sought after as the global economy shifts to net-zero carbon. The Green Finance Institute is pleased to support the financial services professional bodies in providing their members the opportunity to build their skills and play their part in financing the green transition.”
Signatories include AICPA-CIMA; Association of Chartered Certified Accountants; Association of Corporate Treasurers; CFA Society of the UK; Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association; Chartered Banker Institute; Chartered Insurance Institute; Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment; Institute and Faculty of Actuaries; Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales; Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland and London Institute of Banking and Finance.
Simon Culhane, CEO, CISI, adds: “We are extremely pleased to be supporting this initiative, an important step in acknowledging our profession’s commitment to education across the broad field of responsibility and sustainability, including green finance. This supports our members worldwide in bringing the drive, energy, integrity and skills needed to deliver the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and to establish a low-carbon world.
“The Charter aligns with the momentum already underway in our learning and qualifications programmes to ensure our members and future candidates can help build a planet fit for our children’s children to thrive in – and pass on.”
