21 September 2015: The ‘International Seminar – the Financial System, the Green Economy and Climate Change’ focused on issues relevant for financial institutions to manage their business and socio-environmental risks, and therefore channel more private capital to finance the green economy and the climate change agenda. The seminar was organized by the Brazilian Federation of Banks (FEBRABAN), with support from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Inquiry: Design of a Sustainable Financial System and the Center for Studies in Sustainability of the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (GVces).

The seminar took place on 21 September 2015, in São Paulo, Brazil. It included sessions on: prudential regulation and the green economy; the design of a global financial system aligned to the green economy; private funding and the green economy; and climate change and the road to COP 21.

Speaking at the seminar, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner noted the upcoming UN Sustainable Development Summit 2015 where the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be adopted, which will “put the world on track toward a sustainable future.” He further noted that the upcoming Paris Climate Change Conference can “put in place the strategies we need to build low-carbon, resilient economies.” Steiner stressed that all these efforts, if done right, can lead the planet and its peoples toward a more prosperous, sustainable future.”

He also highlighted the seminar’s objective to identify the new partnerships in the financial system that can deliver on goals for a sustainable future. [Seminar Website] [UNEP Executive Director’s Speech] [FEBRABAN Press Release (in Portuguese)] [Inquiry Website]