Report Launch: Practical approaches to applying the EU Taxonomy to bank lending

The European Banking Federation (EBF) & the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) hosted a virtual public event to launch the joint report on practical approaches to applying the EU Taxonomy to bank lending. The event explored the usability of the EU Taxonomy for climate change mitigation and adaptation for banks in the context of the latest regulatory and business developments. Speakers from public institutions reflected on key aspects of the joint report and shared their perspective on leveraging the EU Taxonomy in their further legislative and regulatory work. You also heard from bankers on the role the EU taxonomy plays in their own sustainability transition journey. They gave their take on engaging customers on the topic of sustainability and future developments in the field. Company representatives shared their views on the EU Taxonomy, the progress of its practical application and what that means for their business. Opening remarks: - Eric Usher, Head, UNEP FI Introduction: - Robert Emanuel Bopp, Director Financial Services, Sustainable Finance, Ernst & Young Panel 1: - Denisa Avermaete, Senior Policy Adviser, Sustainable Finance, European Banking Federation - Pilar Gutierrez, Acting Head of the Reporting and Transparency Unit, European Banking Authority - Andrei Gurin, Policy Officer, DG FISMA, European Commission - Corinne Raux, Senior Advisor on Taxonomy, UNEP FI Panel 2: - Catherine Royere, Group Prudential Affairs, BNP Paribas - Emilio Lopez Fernandez, Head of Corporate Loans Spain & Portugal, BBVA - Gerhard Huemer, Economic Policy Director, SMEunited - Stefan Schnell, Senior Vice President, BASF - Daniel Bouzas, Europe Regional Coordinator, UNEP FI Closing remarks: - Wim Mijs, CEO, European Banking Federation