In a notable shift, ‘Transition finance’ is set to emerge as a pivotal focus of 2024, taking center stage as a critical topic for individuals expressing concern about the climate crisis.
Mark Carney, the United Nations special envoy on climate action and finance, said, “whole world of transition finance being created as we speak,” during a panel discussion at last month’s COP28 in Dubai.
The discourse has evolved, moving beyond discussions about investing in climate to a focus on investing in transition, according to Annika Brouwer, a sustainability specialist at Ninety One Ltd.
She mentioned that a significant portion of the South African asset manager’s interactions in Dubai emphasized transition finance for emerging markets.
The term featured in the ultimate accord reached by 200 nations, signifying their commitment to shift away from fossil fuels.
Nevertheless, the agreement allows considerable flexibility. In this nonbinding pact, countries are merely urged to play a part in a global transition.
In simpler terms, fossil fuel companies have considerable freedom in determining the extent and timing of their involvement, said Ehsan Khoman, the Dubai-based head of commodities, environmental social and governance, and emerging markets research at MUFG Bank Ltd (EMEA).
Groups comprising banks, insurers, and asset managers are currently engaged in talks to establish parameters defining transition finance.
However, as of now, there is a lack of uniform standards in place.
Yet, for investors focused on sustainability, the question arises: Are there any assets that do not meet the criteria? And for those companies contributing to pollution, how can investors ensure they will decarbonize as swiftly and extensively as envisioned?
These intricacies become even more crucial as certain climate-finance funds revealed during COP28 express intentions to invest in transition assets.
Notably, a segment of Alterra, a $30 billion initiative initiated by the United Arab Emirates in collaboration with BlackRock Inc., TPG Inc., and Brookfield Asset Management Ltd., is allocated for transition funds.
However, there is limited immediate information about the structural details of these funds.