Our 2020 AGM and the address of Hon. Kwasi Kwarteng MP
We were delighted that the Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth could give an address during our AGM on 24th September 2020. Watch the video of his address here.
The Minister covered a wide range of topics inked to the recovery from Covid and the future of green finance in the UK. We had a large number of questions submitted by members and were able to put a few of them after the address. Two exchanges which might be of particular interest to members were on green gilts and the possibility of a new National Investment Bank:
Q) There was a lot of talk about green gilts two or three years ago, is it still being discussed in Whitehall?
A.) I think the intellectual argument for green gilts is being won or has been won…. I think there is a general recognition that the green gilt is a good idea…I’m hopeful we can get some movement on this ahead of COP 26 next year.
Q.) UKSIF and others have written to the PM asking about a National Investment Bank is that kind of innovative thinking welcome?
A.) Definitely. You know I’ve mentioned it and other people have mentioned it, this has been part of the conversation for a few months. And we should continue to make it part of the conversation. And I think there is a huge amount of activity in this space. Unfortunately COVID-19 has absorbed considerable amounts of the Government’s attention but we are still very committed to the green agenda, we are still committed to the fight against climate change and we are extremely focused on meeting our legally binding target of net zero by 2050.
