The role of central banks in the climate transition #3

Wednesday, 22 September 2021, 08:45 – 09:30 CET

What role can central banks play in the transition towards a climate-neutral economy? Several discussions are ongoing, and FEPS debated this crucial issue with Irene Heemskerk, Head of the European Central Bank’s new Climate Change Centre, in Episode 3 of our “Financing the EU Green Deal” Policy Breakfast Series.

#3 The role of central banks in the climate transition
Wednesday, 22 September 2021, 08:45 – 09:30 CET

Economic actors are increasingly subject to physical risks related to extreme weather events that can damage infrastructure and lead to the discontinuation of economic activities. But they are also confronted with transition risks that include regulatory action, technological disruptions or changes in consumer behaviour.

Central banks and other supervisors play an essential role because climate change impacts price stability, financial stability and the safety and soundness of financial institutions.

Therefore, the European Central Bank (ECB) and national central banks should integrate these dimensions when ensuring financial stability, in market operations and in banking supervision activities, in cooperation with European Banking Authority, by making sure banks integrate climate risks in their risk management policies, procedures, practices, and pricing policies.

FEPS dove deeper into this very important issue with Irene Heemskerk, the freshly appointed Head of the European Central Bank’s new Climate Change Centre, that will shape and steer the ECB’s climate agenda and that reports directly to President Lagarde.

The presentation was followed by two short interventions from Jens van’t Klooster, postdoctoral fellow at the KU Leuven and Julia Symon, Senior Research and Advocacy Officer, from Finance Watch, who acted as discussants. Saïd El Khadraoui, FEPS Special Adviser on the Green Deal, moderated the session.

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ℹ️  Sustainable Finance and the Issue of Greenwashing is the 3rd Episode of the Policy Breakfast Series “Financing the EU Green Deal”

• Watch EPISODE 1 of this Policy Breakfast Series: European and National Development Banks for the Green Transition
• Watch EPISODE 2 of this Policy Breakfast Series: New Resources for the EU Green Deal
• Watch EPISODE 4 of this Policy Breakfast Series: Sustainable Finance and the Issue of Greenwashing #4