Latest Insights

The ECB’s thematic review on climate risks and the focus areas for 2023

The European Central Bank (ECB) recently completed another important step in the supervisory process to assess the management of climate-related and environmental (C&E) risks by European banks. On 2 November, they published the results of their thematic review on C&E risks performed earlier this year.

ESG-related derivatives: innovation or fad?

Part I

Over the past years, more and more corporates have implemented a sustainability framework, incorporating specific KPIs that can be used as a basis to arrange sustainability-linked funding instruments.
Next to sustainable funding instruments, including both green and social, we also see that these KPI’s can be used for other financial instruments, such as ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) derivatives. These derivatives are a useful tool to further drive the corporate sustainability strategy or support meeting environmental targets.

How can treasury become a sustainable function?

There is more than green financing

As sustainability is gaining momentum as a business priority, numerous corporates are re-assessing their business models and strategic goals. One of the key subjects in this re-assessment is the implementation of tangible and transparent Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into the business.

Integration of ESG in treasury

Responsible investing is widely known as the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment processes and decision-making. ESG factors cover a wide spectrum of topics that traditionally are not part of financial analysis yet may have financial relevance. Environmental factors relate to a company’s role in climate change, its use of natural resources, its pollution and waste, and the environmental opportunities it pursues. Social factors cover topics concerning human capital, product liability, stakeholder opposition and social opportunities. Governance factors include aspects regarding the corporate governance and behavior of a company.

Market Profile: Weather Derivatives in Switzerland

A qualitative analysis on prerequisites for an active market

As a result of climate change, the weather is becoming more relevant for a broad variety of companies in different industries. Companies depending on a certain weather resistance are confronted with unexpected consequences and risks due to increased weather fluctuations. Major variances in temperature may cause instable revenue flows with the associated financial risks.