On the 15th of January 2014, Clarmondial will host its first event in Zürich to discuss why and how financial institutions are becoming more aware of risks and opportunities associated with natural capital. The event will feature speakers from UNEP-FI, Swiss Re, Credit Suisse and the Swiss Government.
Natural capital is the stock of ecosystems that yields a renewable flow of goods and services that underpin the economy and provide inputs and direct and indirect benefits to businesses and society. Natural capital is a subset of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors that can be material to financial institutions, mainly through their allocations of capital to companies through loans and investments or premiums as part of insurance contracts[i].
We hope that this event will initiate further action; prompting financial institutions to better manage environmental externalities, and benefit from financial opportunities linked to efficient natural resource use. And, as a result of the good feedback we have already had to this event, are discussing how to progress these themes with partners.
[i] This is the official UNEP-FI Natural Capital definition, available from: http://www.naturalcapitaldeclaration.org/about-natural-capital-and-the-finance-sector