The European Banking Federation (EBF) and the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) are co-organizing an online event to launch a report: Testing the application of the EU Taxonomy to core banking products: High level recommendations on 26 – 27 January 2021.

The launch event will see the participation of banks, European institutions and other market players, consisting of 3 sessions across 2 days, focusing on the high-level recommendations, challenges in particular related to data, general purpose loans, retail lending, SME lending as well as early solutions and possible improvements.

PROGRAMME

26 January, 14:00 – 15:00 CET
KEYNOTE SESSION: Official launch and the high-level recommendations

OPENING REMARKS
Eric Usher, Head, UNEP Finance Initiative
Wim Mijs, CEO, European Banking Federation

PANEL DEBATE
Moderator: Denisa Avermaete, Senior Adviser Sustainable Finance, European Banking Federation

• Daniela Diedrich-Ristic, Climate Change Specialist, European Investment Bank
• Slavka Eley, Head of Markets, Products, Innovation, European Banking Authority
• Toni Ballabriga, Global Head of Responsible Business, BBVA
• Lucile de La Jonquière, Director, Public Affairs, Société Générale

CLOSING REMARKS
Martin Spolç, Head of the Sustainable Finance and Fintech Unit, DG FISMA, European Commission

27 January, 14:00 – 15:30 CET
SESSION 1: Corporate loans & data challenges

Moderator: Corinne Raux, Co author of the EBF/UNEP FI Taxonomy Report

Speakers:

• Marie Baumgarts, Head of Sustainability, SEB
• Hans Biemans, Head of Sustainable Markets, ING
• Karen Degouve, Head of Sustainable Business Development, Natixis
• Nadia Humphreys, Business Manager for Sustainable Finance Solutions, Bloomberg

27 January, 16:00 – 17:30 CET
SESSION 2: Retail and SME lending

Moderator: Elodie Feller, Investment Programme Lead, UNEP FI

Speakers:

• Véronique Ormezzano, Head of Group Regulatory Affairs, BNP Paribas
• Laura Canas da Costa, VP, Sustainability Affairs, Credit Suisse
• Stefan Goetzinger, Vice President, Structured Trade & Export Finance, Deutsche Bank
• Peter Coveliers, Business Development Manager, European Investment Fund

ABOUT THE REPORT

The EBF and the UNEP FI are launching a report which assesses the extent to which the EU Taxonomy on Sustainable Activities could be applied to core banking products.

This report is the result of 25 major banks, seven banking associations and five observing organisations working together to test, pilot and assess the complexities of applying the EU Taxonomy to core banking products.

The objective of the report was to develop an initial understanding of the application of the EU Taxonomy to banking products and propose a set of recommendations to enhance applicability. It shares key insights on the benefits and challenges experienced by banks whilst also proposing high level principles to follow in order to apply the EU Taxonomy to retail banking, SME lending and corporate banking, including trade, export and project finance.

The report also contains eight recommendations addressed to legislators, regulators, owners of environmental and social standards and frameworks, labels and certification schemes used by banks to address the identified implementation challenges, and banks themselves.

About: United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) was founded in 1992 and is a unique global partnership between the United Nations Environment Programme and the global financial sector. In order to develop and promote links between sustainability and financial performance, UNEP FI works closely with more than 230 financial institutions that signed the UNEP FI Statements together with a range of partner organisations. Through peer-to-peer networks, research and training, UNEP FI seeks to identify, promote and foster the adoption of best environmental and sustainability practice at all levels of financial institution operations. For further information, please visit www.unepfi.org

About: European Banking Federation

The European Banking Federation (EBF) is the voice of the European banking sector, bringing together national banking associations from across Europe, with active members in 32 countries. The EBF is committed to both promoting a thriving European economy underpinned by a stable, secure and inclusive financial ecosystem, and contributing to a prosperous society in which financing is available to fund the dreams of citizens, businesses and innovators across the globe.

Project Sponsors