CFA Institute 10 February 2022
Global and Regional ESG Regulations and Standards: Implications for the Financial Services Industry
CFA Institute Alpha Summit APAC
Virtual Session: Video On Demand
Overview
CFA Institute Alpha Summit APAC, a two-day virtual conference focusing on the investment industry’s biggest challenges and most compelling trends across Asia Pacific, was held on 10-11 February 2022. From shareholder activism and advances in fintech to sustainable investment strategy and capital allocation, the nine thematic sessions of the conference aimed to give the audience the tools and guidance on best practices that financial professionals need to succeed.
The number of ESG regulations and standards has grown worldwide in response to concerns of greenwashing as well as the potential systemic risks posed by climate risks. Initially many of the disclosure requirements were focused on the corporate sector. As corporate disclosures improve, we are seeing more emphasis on improving disclosures from the financial services industry, some through mandatory TCFD disclosures. This has brought about significant opportunities and challenges. How is the industry adapting to these changes? How can we address issues of regulatory fragmentation in a diverse region such as Asia Pacific? Are regulations necessary to ensure capital market integrity and efficiency?
During the discussion “Global and Regional ESG Regulations and Standards: Implications for the Financial Services Industry,” the panelists noted an emphasis on climate reporting in recent regulatory initiatives. More rigorous regulation is expected, although it is likely to be tailored to the needs of individual markets. Investors will do well to incorporate ESG in all aspects of their process, including risk management, portfolio construction, disclosures, and stewardship activities. Common Ground Taxonomy, which is being developed by the European Union and China, will be a helpful tool for global investors, that will allow them to understand activities of investee companies and uncover new opportunities.
Watch the Video
Length: 58 min.
Recorded: 10 February 2022.
CFA Institute Alpha Summit APAC 2022
Virtual Sessions - Video On Demand:
Day 1:
- Welcome and Opening Remarks: Think Beyond the Horizon
- Fireside Chat: Progress in Greening the Financial System—Lessons Learned and Looking Forward
- Panel Discussion: Climate Change Risk – Action for Industry Stakeholders
- Panel Discussion: Global and Regional ESG Regulations and Standards – Implications for the Financial Services Industry
- Panel Discussion: The Pandemic’s Impact on Shareholder Activism
- Keynote and Fireside Chat: SDG Investing
Day 2:
- PGIM Sponsored Session: 2022 Best Ideas - The Road to Renewal
- Panel Discussion: Managing Pension Funds for Sustainable Long-Term Return
- Panel Discussion: Trends and Changes in Capital Markets Formation
- Fireside Chat: Future of the FinTech Eco-System
- Panel Discussion: Investment Management Professional of the Future
Speakers
Grace is a strategic visionary with more than twenty years of international and domestic banking and finance industry experience. From 2013–2021, she worked at Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), where she was the Chief Operating Officer of its Listing Division responsible for listing policies, structured products and debt securities, listing enforcement and accounting affairs. In early 2020, Grace founded HKEX’s green and sustainable finance department and subsequently launched HKEX’s STAGE, the first-of-its kind new sustainable finance information platform in Asia. She is currently an honorary adviser and a member of the Inspection Committee of the Financial Reporting Council, and a member of both the Regulatory Oversight Board and the Sustainability Committee of The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Claudia Gollmeier, CFA, CIPM, Managing Director (Singapore) and Senior Investment Officer at Colchester Global Investors. As a Senior Investment Officer, Claudia manages global and emerging bond portfolios. She also conducts ongoing economic and ESG research. Before joining Colchester, Claudia held positions at UBS Reality investors and was a portfolio manager at Western Asset Management.
Claudia also chairs the PRI Sovereign Debt Advisory Committee, having previously been a PRI Fixed Income Advisory Committee member and chaired the PRI Sovereign Working Group. She is a member of the CFA UK ESG Working Group, which developed the first professional ESG qualification. In addition, Claudia sits on the CFA Institute ESG Verification Subcommittee.
Jason has more than 20 years of experience providing legal and regulatory advice across global financial markets. His specialities include complex derivatives, carbon trading, financial regulation, technology and data, commodities, and private equity. Jason’s career has seen him lead and manage restructurings, workouts, regulatory investigations, and compliance programs. In addition, he has spearheaded regulatory-change programmes across diverse business areas and geographies. Jason is qualified in four jurisdictions and has held positions at leading financial institutions in London, Singapore, and Sydney.
Michael has spent the past decade providing sustainable solutions to investors, banks, corporates, regulators, governments, and academics. Before joining S&P Global Sustainable1, he led the Asia- Pacific ESG business development team at Trucost, also part of S&P Global. Michael regularly presents at events and is involved in ESG-focused initiatives, including the ASFI Technical Working Group and PRI Fixed Income Working Group. He holds a master’s degree in applied finance and investment from the Securities Institute of Australia and a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of New South Wales.