The Private Sector to the Rescue of the Energy Transition: ESG and the Role of Banks

The Vienna Forum on European Energy Law

The Vienna Forum on European Energy Law is an annual joint initiative of the FSR Energy Union Law Area and the Energy Community Secretariat which aims to bridge the gap in energy debate between the EU and Energy Community. This year, for the 8^th edition of the forum, we will be moving online with four webinars across four weeks, focused on the solidarity principle, the European climate law, carbon pricing, and the role of the private sector in the energy transition. To discuss these topics, we will bring together a panel of experts for a roundtable debate and a live Q&A session with our audience.

Webinar 4

The Private Sector to the Rescue of the Energy Transition: ESG and the Role of Banks

Introduction: Tibor Schaffhauser | Energy Community Secretariat

Roundtable Discussion

Moderator:

Leigh Hancher | FSR (RSCAS, EUI); Tilburg University; Baker Boots Botts LLP            

Panellists:      

Andrew McDowell | PricewaterhouseCoopers; formerly EIB

Kim Talus | Tulane University; University of Eastern Finland

Christine Würfel | Raiffeisen Bank International; Vienna Initiative

Eddie O’Connor | Mainstream Renewable Power

Lena Sandberg | Gibson Dunn LLP

Q & A with the live audience

Background to the Discussion

In November 2020, a budget of €1 trillion was approved by Member State governments for the European Investment Bank’s green roadmap to 2030. This will be directed toward investment in climate action, biodiversity, and sustainability-focused projects while future financing will be focused on accelerating clean energy innovation, energy efficiency and renewables. As part of its Climate Bank Roadmap, the bank has pledged that all financing activities will be aligned with the Paris Agreement by the end of the year, and funding will no longer be provided to fossil

fuel projects or airport expansions by 2021. What will be the scope of this new policy in practice? What will be financed and what will not be financed?

In parallel, the Sustainability-Related Disclosure Regulation (2019/2088) will become applicable in mid-2021 and will require certain financial market participants and advisers to provide investors with environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)- related information in making investment decisions. The aim is to provide a greater level of transparency and sustainability within the financial markets in a standardised manner, thus preventing greenwashing and facilitating comparability. What are the standards for these sustainability disclosures? And what will be the wider implications of this regulation when it enters into force?

What will be the impact of these new developments on renewable and sustainable investments in Europe? Are the new rules clear enough to make a difference in practice? How will the sustainability-focused public sector financing impact upon renewable or sustainable energy investments in the coming years? Are there new opportunities? Is access to financing simple enough? What is the impact of national rules on investments in sustainability?