Tony Juniper says economic growth cannot come at the expense of nature.  It’s essential that the ecological system is aligned with the economic system to tackle rapid nature loss, according to Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, the government advisor for the natural environment in England.   Speaking at the ‘Nature Calls!’ event hosted by asset manager UBP, Juniper warned…

Autumn Statement criticised for supply-side focus, but promises of pension reform pique interest.   The UK government has “comprehensively failed” to set out a robust green industrial strategy to compete with other countries leading the way in the transition to net zero.   This is the view of experts speaking to ESG Investor in response to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s 2023…

The European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA“) has today published three useful explanatory notes covering key topics of the European sustainable finance framework, namely: a) the definition of “sustainable investments”; b) the application of do no significant harm (“DNSH“) principle; and c) the use of estimates. The explanatory notes set out factual information regarding these concepts, with the aim of…

The Sustainability Innovation Lab in Singapore will support businesses in adapting to new reporting requirements. In a move to address sustainability reporting challenges, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) in partnership with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation launched the Sustainability Innovation Lab (SIL) on 20 November. The SIL will host research platforms that will examine sustainability reporting issues and provide…

Adaptation bonds are among the potential vehicles for private investment, but policy action is still needed at COP28.  The UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) 2023 Emissions Gap Report – aptly titled ‘Broken Record’ – clearly states that the world is a long way from limiting global warming to 1.5°C by 2050, despite ongoing efforts to mitigate climate-related risks.   The realities…

Plastic pollution is a global environmental problem. To combat this issue, the United Nations Environment Assembly passed a resolution in March 2022 to develop a draft global agreement on plastic pollution by the end of 2024 (reported here). The third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee recently concluded in Nairobi, Kenya with the next session scheduled in April 2024 in…