Sponsor
 

HSBC

  
     
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Conference Partners
 

  • Republic of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources
  • Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines)
  • Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX)
  • Management Association of the Philippines (MAP)
  • Environment Australia
  • Hanns Seidel Foundation Germany

  
     
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The Financial Sector in Asia Pacific: The Business Case for Sustainability Performance

5-6 April, 2001 | Manila, Philippines Some 300 bankers, insurers and asset managers, joined by representatives of civil society and intergovernmental organisations, met in Manila in April 2001 for the two-day United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiatives (UNEP FI) Asia Pacific Regional Roundtable. Coming just a year before the planned Rio+10 Summit, the Regional Roundtable provided a key opportunity for thought leaders and sustainability practitioners to come together and discuss the business case for sustainability. Further, it provided an important opportunity for UNEP FI to catalyze its work programme in the region, and build support for an Asia Pacific Task Force, to join its growing network of regional task forces. The gathering, generously supported by HSBC and the conference partners, explored how the financial sector in Asia Pacific was a critical actor in the challenge of meeting the goals of sustainable development, and furthermore, the compelling business case for sustainability performance. Issues discussed during the course of the UNEP Roundtable included:
  • Market Trends and Best Environmental Performers in the Finance Sector – discussion of socially screened investment and best practices in sustainability implementation.
  • Financing the Environmental Needs of Asia-Pacific – considering socially screened investments and sustainable infrastructure projects.
  • Regulations, Reporting and Implications for the Finance Sector – focusing on sustainability reporting and emerging sustainability markets
  • Thinking Globally, Acting Locally – The Finance Sector’s Critical Role in Sustainable Development – providing insight into some of the new challenges and opportunities facing the finance sector in relation to specific issues such as climate change.