UK Sustainable Finance Event- 10th March 2021

Gerben Dragt, UK Country Executive at ABN AMRO, spoke of the Bank of England's recent decision to put a zero-emissions target at the centre of monetary policy. ABN AMRO recognises the importance of making sustainability a central part of its strategy and aims to become a key partner to support clients in their transition.

On the panel were Ben Richards, a Director in Deloitte’s Climate Change and Sustainability practice; Claire Gillig-Brouwer, Sustainability Advisory, ABN AMRO; Peter Ellemann, Loan Markets, ABN AMRO; and Dick Ligthart Debt Capital Markets, ABN AMRO.

Ben talked about the UK landscape in the context of the green rollout in the economy and its impact on corporates. He highlighted key opportunities, including offshore wind advancement, accelerating the shift to zero-emission vehicles and green finance and innovation. Ben stressed the importance of recognising that net-zero can only be achieved with a transition of the entire economy - businesses either had to adapt themselves or would be forced to adapt, given what would happen with the rest of the economy.

Claire went through the EU taxonomy and Sustainable Finance Regulations and how these would directly impact UK companies and influence the UK taxonomy. She discussed how sustainable finance regulations would drive liquidity and re-shape capital allocation as lenders and investors come under increasing scrutiny to drive capital towards a low carbon economy.

Peter Ellemann, Loan Markets, ABN AMRO focused on current developments in the sustainable loan market. Dick Ligthart, Debt Capital Markets, ABN AMRO, explained how compared to the loan market, the DCM activity has been driven by the use-of-proceeds approach. He talked about both the public and private bond markets and the impact of the sustainability agenda.

The event proved to be an interactive session with participation from an audience of over 30 corporate clients across CIB and CB.