UKSIF publishes ‘Policy Vision’ to drive forward UK leadership on sustainable finance

UKSIF calls on government to drive forward UK’s leadership on sustainable finance
‘Policy Vision’ outlines recommendations to promote the sector’s future success

UKSIF’s ‘Policy Vision,’ launched today (28 April), represents the UK sustainable finance sector’s new vision for strengthening the UK’s global leadership in the growing sustainable finance industry and accelerating the drive towards a more sustainable future.

The Policy Vision has been published at an event to mark the organisation’s 30-year anniversary, which was joined by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen MP, for a keynote speech. UKSIF’s 30-year anniversary falls at a significant milestone for the UK – the midway point between the Rio ‘Earth Summit’ in 1992 and the UK’s 2050 net-zero goal that will shape action over the next 30 years.

UKSIF’s 260+ members represent over £10trn in assets under management (AUM), and are a significant part of the UK’s financial ecosystem. They have a critical part to play in the change needed to progress the rapid decarbonisation of the economy and to address some of the pressing social issues facing the country post-Covid-19. As well as highlighting key areas for government and regulatory action, the Policy Vision recognises the responsibility of UKSIF and its members to promote a greener, fairer and more sustainable future.

The Policy Vision calls on the government to step up efforts to drive forward the UK’s leadership on sustainable finance, and sets out bold policy solutions across different sectors of the economy for the years ahead. This includes wide-reaching and ambitious recommendations on: the future of the UK’s sustainable finance standards post-Brexit, the net-zero transition, infrastructure investment, biodiversity policy, pensions, and other areas that UKSIF’s members see as vital in the push towards a sustainable future. While the UK has made good progress in recent years, there is much further to go to deliver the future UKSIF’s members want to see.

Now is an opportune time, particularly ahead of the UK’s hosting of the G7 and COP26 this year, to set out the sustainable finance community’s Policy Vision for the future.

James Alexander, Chief Executive of UKSIF, said:

“As UKSIF marks our 30th anniversary this year, we should not underestimate the urgency of the ambitious action that must be taken to ensure the UK fulfils its net-zero and sustainability ambitions, and acts as an international leader. The government, regulators, and the sustainable finance industry all have a responsibility to act decisively to build a more sustainable future.

UKSIF’s Policy Vision demonstrates that the UK sustainable finance sector is prepared to play its part and highlights the unique opportunity the government has to enhance the UK’s global leadership on sustainable finance. We stand ready to work with government and others to shape the future success of this vital industry and embed the ambitious recommendations we have outlined, from the future of sustainable finance standards to net-zero pathways and biodiversity.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
• Earlier this year, UKSIF hosted a series of roundtable discussions with our membership to consider policy solutions in different chapters of the Policy Vision. This represented UKSIF’s largest ever consultation exercise with our members on our policy positions, with over 100 individual members contributing views.
• The Policy Vision is available to download here

 

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