The European Commission’s first green bond in October was a big success and demonstrated the strength of demand for investments that comply with environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. The 15-year green bond raised €12bn, was the world’s largest ever and the first step in the EU’s plans to issue €250bn of green bonds in the next five years. It follows similar issuances by the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland and other European countries. 

Investors increasingly want to put their money into sectors of the economy that make a positive contribution to the environment or to society – such as renewable energy, forest planting, medical research or financial inclusion. Many want to avoid investing in industries they believe have a detrimental impact on the planet and its population – such as oil and gas production, arms manufacture or gambling.

This can present difficulties for corporate and investment banks, asset managers and wealth managers acting on behalf of investors, but technology is on hand to assist. Investment professionals are using cloud-based digitally native platforms to assess the ESG credentials of the assets they are interested in. They are also asking the companies they invest in to be clear about their position on ESG issues and, where possible, exercise their rights as shareholders to influence corporate behaviour. Investment managers also have to comply with regulations requiring them to disclose “sustainability-related information” to investors about their investment decision-making processes. 

This live webinar – hosted by the Financial Times in partnership with VASS and Salesforce – will focus on how investment managers are using the latest technology to collect, monitor, manage and report on the sustainability credentials of assets to be invested in and meet customers’ and regulators’ ESG demands. It will bring together senior executives from corporate and investment banks, asset managers and wealth managers to discuss their approach to this pressing issue.

Understand

The big picture, not just the individual strands of the business you work in

Connect

And build relationships with some of the biggest names in your industry

Discover

New approaches and strategies to help ESG requirements

Premier Digital Events supported by the world's best journalism

Using leading digital technology, we have now taken our content, global audience reach and engagement to a new level through a series of unmissable virtual events. Our compelling events are chaired by respected FT journalists, feature the most senior and thought-provoking decision-makers in business, finance and politics, all accessible from your office or home.

© Financial Times Live

FT Live and its journalism are subject to a self-regulation regime under the FT Editorial Code of Practice