Sustainable Finance

 
 
A seminar on Sustainable Finance was recently held with the theme “Financing the Transition”, which was part of the #ClimateOn campaign. Co-organised by the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning as well as the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, the event was a valuable opportunity for key public stakeholders, working in the field of sustainable finance, to continue the dialogue on this theme as well as to further facilitate and enhance collaboration and understanding of the regulatory framework, its operationalization and the resulting obstacles and opportunities for Malta.
 
The seminar explored the viability to finance the transition towards climate neutrality through the use of financial instruments.
 
The Malta Stock Exchange was one of the public entities that took part in this seminar. Stephanie Galea, Head of Business Development and Marketing at the MSE spoke during a roundtable discussion held during the seminar. Other participants in this panel discussion, with the theme “ Financing the Transition: Different Financial Mechanisms towards One Goal” included representatives from the Malta Development Bank and the Ministry for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development.
 
Ms Galea spoke about the Malta Stock Exchange’s efforts to promote sustainable investments that meet Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) standards through the listing of Green Bonds on the Exchange, whilst supporting economic development.
 
She explained that issuers seeking to raise finance for green projects that meet the MSE’s Green List criteria, which are based on the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA) Green Bond Principles, qualify for discounted listing fees. Ms Galea added that to qualify for a listing, issuers must invest in projects which contribute towards environmental objectives that include Climate Change Mitigation, Climate Change Adaptation, Pollution Prevention, Sustainable Use of Water and Marine Resources amongst others.