Amsterdam Sustainability & Finance in NYC
As part of the NY400 celebrations honouring 400 years of co-operation between the US and the Netherlands, the Dutch government and APG (All Pensions Group) sponsored a 'Sustainability and Finance' conference and lunch in September at the New York Academy of Sciences.
Dutch-American get together
Over 100 Dutch and US fund managers and investment advisors attended the affair that brought together leading experts from both sides of the Atlantic.
Impact of climate change
Jonathan Lash, president of the World Resources Institute environmental think tank, delivered the keynote address that provided background on the impact of global climate change and gave an update on the progress of the Waxman-Markey energy legislation working its way through Congress.
400 years of risk and opportunity
He noted that investment risks and opportunities have served as one of the hallmarks of the long and successful partnership between the US and the Netherlands, dating back to Henry Hudson's 1609 voyage that founded Manhattan, to today's Dutch leadership in the area of carbon trading.
European perspective on green investment
Two breakout sessions followed giving the European perspective on the financing of sustainability, and emissions trading. Rob Lake, Head of Sustainability at Netherlands-based APG, conducted the former session with an overview of "green" investment opportunities.
Trading schemes and carbon finance
Seb Walhain, Global Head of Energy, Carbon & Commodities at Fortis Bank then described the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and the nature of carbon finance for a typical emission reduction project.
Amsterdam leadership recognised
The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area is an established leader in the area of sustainable financing, with 20% of all carbon ‘cap and trade’ trading worldwide taking place in the city. The biggest carbon-based financing deal ever was arranged in Amsterdam, and Dutch investment firms and pension funds are at the forefront of developing the UN’s Principles for Responsible Investment.
Highlight of Dutch Financial Day
The lunch and conference served as the central event during Dutch Financial Day that also included a breakfast that explained the Dutch corporate governance model and a private dinner at the NY Stock Exchange. Organizers included KPMG, ABN Amro Bank, Fortis Bank, SNS Reaal Bank, Holland Financial Center, the City of Amsterdam, The Netherlands Foreign Investment Office and the Netherlands Consulate in New York.
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