Leading from the front: how can finance steward a net zero economy?

Join us on Tuesday 25 October from 3.30pm to 5pm, followed by a drinks reception until 6pm, at our next joint in-person event in partnership with Aviva Investors. This will feature an insightful and timely discussion with leaders from business, politics and civil society on how the UK’s world-leading finance sector can use its unique position to accelerate decarbonisation across the economy as well as reflections on the new Aviva Investors AIQ report: Redefining investment stewardship.

The report features a collection of opinion pieces and interviews from leading ESG innovators on what is needed from investors to accelerate the transition towards a more environmentally and socially sustainable world. This event will feature high-profile keynote speakers from the world of politics and civil society, and an engaging panel discussion reflecting on what the world needs to do to align the international financial architecture with delivering the Paris Agreement. It will be followed by an opportunity to network with colleagues and friends over drinks and canapes.

Please complete this form to apply to secure a place at this event. Places will be confirmed a week ahead of the event. If the event is over-subscribed, priority will be given to Aldersgate Group members and close stakeholders of Aviva Investors and the Aldersgate Group.

A high-profile political keynote speaker and more panelists will be announced soon.

Date and time: Tuesday 25 October, 3.30pm – 5pm followed by drinks and canapes until 6pm
Location: Aviva, St Helen’s, 1 Undershaft, London EC3P 3DQ

Keynote speech

• Tanya Steele, Chief Executive, WWF UK

Panel

• Steve Waygood, Chief Responsible Investment Officer, Aviva Investors
• Stephen Moir, Executive Director, Climate Engagement, Macquarie, Green Investment Group
• Karen Ellis, Chief Economist, WWF UK
• Helen Newman, Head of Sustainable Finance Capital Advisors, CBRE
• Tim Lord, Head of Climate Change, Phoenix Group

Synopsis
Finance has a unique potential to drive change as the UK transitions to a net zero economy. Businesses from all sectors work with the finance sector to enact their own decarbonisation programmes, which makes responsible stewardship and advice from financiers all the more important to effectively drive change.

This is outlined in Aviva Investors latest edition of its AIQ reports, which outlines how financial institutions can redefine stewardship. It calls on them to go beyond simply allocating capital in line with existing ESG metrics. Instead, it calls on investors to influence companies to make more sustainable physical investments, challenge the industry to engage with governments and policymakers to correct market failures, and ultimately deliver positive social and environmental change. Given the UK’s status as a global finance leader – and number one in the world for green finance – this approach can drive decarbonisation and investment in nature at both a national and an international level.

That is why the Aldersgate Group and Aviva Investors is gathering leaders from business, politics and civil society to discuss the new report, and how the finance sector can maximise its role in leading the net zero transition, from advising clients and securing senior buy-in, to demanding high ambition from governments.