EC Explores Integration of ESG Factors into Banking Framework in EU
EC published an interim study, prepared by BlackRock Financial Markets Advisory, that explores the development of tools and mechanisms for the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into the prudential framework for banks in EU and into the business strategies and investment policies of banks. The interim study primarily evaluates the existing practices of banks and supervisors and is based on a preliminary analysis of the data collected so far. Due the ongoing nature of the analysis, this document is a work in progress and reflects the progress of the work as at submission date. The final study should be submitted to EC no later than April 01, 2021.
The study consists of the collection and aggregation of information from as wide a range of representative stakeholders as possible, to reflect a full spectrum of views. Three stakeholder perimeter groups were defined: banks; supervisors and regulators; and international organizations, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. The study identified and covered nearly 151 stakeholders to provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-play for the following:
- Modalities of integrating ESG risks into EU banks’ risk management processes—The study includes an overview of the results of the stocktaking exercise on the way banks deal with ESG risks. It includes a first preliminary overview of possible arrangements, processes, mechanisms, and strategies to be implemented by EU banks to map, assess, and manage ESG risks.
- Modalities of integrating ESG risks into EU prudential supervision—The study includes an overview of the results of the stocktaking exercise on national supervisory frameworks and practices for the integration of ESG risks into prudential supervision. It includes a preliminary overview of the tools and mechanisms for the integration of ESG risks into the EU prudential supervision.
- Modalities of integrating ESG objectives into EU banks' business strategies and investment policies—The study provides an overview of the stocktaking exercise on bank strategies to integrate ESG factors and foster long-termism in their lending and investment activity in response to green/sustainable funding needs. This includes an analysis of the state-of-play of green finance and of the market for responsible or sustainable investment at EU and global levels, including a mapping of all available green or sustainable financial instruments, products, and services and their impact on the balance sheets of banks in EU. Furthermore, the study includes first overview of impediments to the development of a well-functioning EU market for green finance and for responsible investment, a preliminary overview of the appropriate instruments and strategies to promote the scaling-up of green finance and the market for sustainable financial products, and a preliminary overview of how to enhance the ability of banks in understanding how ESG objectives can translate into financial opportunities.
Related Links
Keywords: Europe, EU, Banking, ESG, Climate Change Risk, Sustainable Finance, EC
Featured Experts
Michael Denton, PhD, PE
Dr. Denton provides industry leadership in the quantification of sustainability issues, climate risk, trade credit and emerging lending risks. His deep foundations in market and credit risk provide critical perspectives on how climate/sustainability risks can be measured, communicated and used to drive commercial opportunities, policy, strategy, and compliance. He supports corporate clients and financial institutions in leveraging Moody’s tools and capabilities to improve decision-making and compliance capabilities, with particular focus on the energy, agriculture and physical commodities industries.
James Partridge
Credit analytics expert helping clients understand, develop, and implement credit models for origination, monitoring, and regulatory reporting.
Previous Article
EC Delegated Regulation on Specialized Lending Exposures Under CRRRelated Articles
OSFI Finalizes on Climate Risk Guideline, Issues Other Updates
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) is seeking comments, until May 31, 2023, on the draft guideline on culture and behavior risk, with final guideline expected by the end of 2023.
BIS Paper Examines Impact of Greenhouse Gas Emissions on Lending
BIS issued a paper that investigates the effect of the greenhouse gas, or GHG, emissions of firms on bank loans using bank–firm matched data of Japanese listed firms from 2006 to 2018.
HMT Mulls Alignment of Ring-Fencing and Resolution Regimes for Banks
The HM Treasury (HMT) is seeking evidence, until May 07, 2023, on practicalities of aligning the ring-fencing and the banking resolution regimes for banks.
BCBS Report Examines Impact of Basel III Framework for Banks
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) published results of the Basel III monitoring exercise based on the June 30, 2022 data.
PRA Consults on Prudential Rules for "Simpler-Regime" Firms
Among the recent regulatory updates from UK authorities, a key development is the first-phase consultation, from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), on simplifications to the prudential framework that would apply to the simpler-regime firms.
DNB Publishes Multiple Reporting Updates for Banks
DNB, the central bank of Netherlands, updated the list of additional reporting requests and published additional data quality checks and XBRL-Formula linkbase documents for the first quarter of 2023.
NBB Sets Out Climate Risk Expectations, Issues Reporting Updates
The National Bank of Belgium (NBB) published a communication on climate-related and environmental risks, issued an update on XBRL reporting
EBA Updates Address Securitization Standards and DGS Guidelines
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published the final draft of the regulatory technical standards that set out conditions for assessment of homogeneity of the underlying exposures in simple, transparent, and standardized (STS) securitizations.
FSB Publishes Letter to G20, Sets Out Work Priorities for 2023
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) published a letter intended for the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, highlighting the work that FSB will take forward under the Indian G20 Presidency in 2023
ISSB Standards May Become Effective from January 2024
The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) welcomed the confirmation statement by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) setting out its progress in the development of its first sustainability-related corporate disclosure standards.
