EFAMA reacted to the Renewed Sustainable Finance Strategy published by the European Commission today.
The asset management industry plays a key role in meeting the objectives of the European Green Deal to make the EU’s economy sustainable. Our members integrate ESG considerations across their risk management processes and investment decisions. They develop sustainable investment products and foster transparency to fight greenwashing. This increases choice, trust and, in turn, retail investors’ participation. Overall, such efforts mobilise capital towards a fair and just transition to a climate-neutral economy by 2050.
EFAMA actively contributes to the development and implementation of EU’s sustainable finance initiatives. Among them are a comprehensive transparency framework for financial market participants, standards and labels for green financial products, classification of green economic activities and policies enhancing corporate sustainability reporting.
EFAMA reacted to the Renewed Sustainable Finance Strategy published by the European Commission today.
EFAMA responds to the opportunity to provide feedback to the Article 8 Taxonomy Regulation (EU) 2020/852 (‘taxonomy’) draft delegated act, which the European Commission published for consultation on 7 May. We highlight that the provisions on investee companies in this delegated act will serve as the primary source of input for asset managers´ own disclosures on taxonomy compliance at both product and entity levels.
The European Find and Asset Management Association appreciates the opportunity to submit its views to the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) on the Joint Consultation Paper (CP) regarding draft regulatory technical standards (RTS) for taxonomy-related sustainability disclosures pursuant to Article 8(4), 9(6) and 11(5) of Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 (Taxonomy Regulation or TR).
Clarification is urgently needed to enable rather than restrict EU sustainable investment
The EU has been at the forefront of green bond issuances, demonstrating strong growth and commitment to sustainable finance. However, ESMA’s new Fund Naming Guidelines create inconsistencies with other sustainable finance regulations, like the EU Green Bond Standard, which could hamper the growth of the corporate green bond sector.
Regulatory clarity required to sustain further growth
This report looks specifically at the evolving trends of the equity asset class of sustainable UCITS, whose share is the highest (53%) in total sustainable UCITS funds. It highlights their role as investment vehicles in facilitating the green transition. The universe of sustainable equity UCITS funds is defined based on Morningstar’s classification of sustainable financial instruments1. This means funds must claim to have a sustainability objective, and/or use binding ESG criteria for their investment selection.