As nations continue to work towards a sustainable future, the finance sector has a crucial role to play in driving sustainable business and managing the transition to a net zero economy.
To achieve this change, it is vital for the finance sector to allocate capital to the firms, investments and projects looking to create a low carbon world. Green and Sustainable Finance offers a comprehensive guide to the application of common green and sustainable principles and practices in banking, investment and insurance to manage risks and seize opportunities in the transition to net zero. As climate change becomes an ever more pressing issue, it is essential that finance professionals grasp these principles to combat the threat of climate change and maximize the opportunities of a low-carbon future.
Written by the CEO of the Chartered Banker Institute, this fully updated second edition includes much greater coverage of the reporting of environmental impacts and carbon accounting, regulatory and market developments in climate and environmental risk management, the rapid growth of sustainable investment, and the latest finance sector alliance and initiatives, including the COP26 Private Finance Strategy and Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ). Endorsed by the CBI as the core text for the benchmark Certificate in Green and Sustainable Finance, this book is essential reading for finance professionals and students taking modules on Green and Sustainable Finance, and individuals working to embed sustainability in business, policy and regulation.
Industry Reviews
"Simon Thompson has produced an outstanding and essential read for anyone in finance and banking who needs to better understand green and sustainable finance. . The book helps the reader understand how to begin to align, embed, measure, and use green finance and grapple with making the green transition as individuals, firms, and communities. It is accessible, clear, well-constructed and addresses a myriad of complex issues while treating the reader with respect, without jargon.
If you need to understand how to operationalise a firm's profitable pathway to net zero, you should buy this book and digest its lessons.
Simon Thompson is to be commended for leading the UK banking sector's green transition. His superb book demonstrates how finance can be a powerful green lever; how banks and markets can pull forward the speed of the necessary green tomorrow; and how banking and finance firms can help renewably construct a more liveable future for us all. This book will be a great help for finance students, professionals, and bankers who wish to build an economy of fifty shades of green, and a more sustainable future for us all." * Stuart P.M. Mackintosh, Executive Director, G30, and author of 'Climate Crisis Economics' *
"The revised Green & Sustainable Finance by Simon Thompson is an accessible and timely contribution to the literature. The text is case rich, international in approach, and contains many reflective exercises to enable and provoke contemplation of the major decisions confronting finance and financial institutions now and during the coming time of climate change." * John Ashton. FCBI, SFHEA, CMBE, Professor of Financial Regulation, University of York *
"As green and sustainable finance increasingly becomes the norm, the ability to integrate climate considerations into financial decision-making is also becoming a critical skill for all financial professionals. Simon Thompson's updated and comprehensive textbook explains the latest concepts, trends, risk frameworks, regulations and investment tools that all bankers and investors need to keep pace with this rapid transformation of the financial sector." * Dr Rhian-Mari Thomas OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Green Finance Institute *
"The new edition of Green and Sustainable Finance spotlights the way biodiversity and social focus are now woven into effective green finance. It considers the host of new metrics, new measurement bodies, new financial products, and offers a nuanced lens on transition finance as well as on emerging risks. Green finance has matured in giant steps since the first edition of this book. Valuable then, this edition is compelling now." * Dame Susan Rice, Chair, Banking Standards Boards *
"Provides key contextual knowledge by clearly and concisely situating green and sustainable finance in reference to key sectors - from banking, insurance, bonds, equity funds, regulation et al - thus making this an essential read for all financial services practitioners and policy setters." * Omar Shaikh, Co-Founder, Global Ethical Finance Initiative *
"The rapidly evolving nature of climate science, policies, regulations, reporting standards and initiatives make it difficult for professionals to keep up-to-date. This second edition is an invaluable compendium of information about green and sustainable finance. An essential book to bridge the skill gap in this space and help us to effectively respond to the climate crisis." * Elisa Moscolin, Executive Vice President, Sustainability, Sage *
