30 September 2024, Kathmandu
The Nepal Bankers’ Association (NBA), in collaboration with Invest for Impact Nepal (IIN), recently organized a highly impactful Climate Finance Masterclass aimed at Nepal’s financial sector leaders.
Nepal’s Financial Sector Leap
The event focused on enhancing the understanding of climate risks and unlocking the immense potential of green finance in the country. As sustainability takes center stage in global finance, this masterclass provided an essential platform for banking industry leaders to gain the necessary knowledge and tools to navigate the fast-evolving landscape of green financing.
Key Highlights:
Led by renowned sustainability experts, Ms. Yulanda C., former Managing Director of DBS Singapore and Sustainability Expert at Standard Chartered Bank UK, and Ms. Alison Snellen, Principal Consultant at IBIS Consulting, Hong Kong, the session delved into the identification of key climate risks. The trainers also explored innovative financial instruments such as green bonds and sustainability-linked loans, which are pivotal in supporting climate-resilient projects.
Why Green Finance Matters for Nepal
In the face of increasing climate-related risks, Nepal’s financial sector has a crucial role to play in mitigating environmental impacts while fostering economic growth. The masterclass emphasized practical solutions tailored to the unique challenges of the Nepalese banking context, helping leaders understand how to integrate climate finance strategies into their operations.
Exploring Green Finance Opportunities
The session covered the potential of green finance mechanisms, including:
Green Bonds: Bonds issued to fund environmentally beneficial projects.
Sustainability-linked Loans: Loans tied to the borrower’s sustainability performance.
Climate-Resilient Projects: Initiatives aimed at reducing climate change vulnerability.
Through these instruments, Nepalese banks can not only contribute to global sustainability goals but also tap into new growth opportunities in sustainable investments.
Engaged Banking Leaders in Nepal
Banking leaders actively participated in discussions, sharing insights and exchanging ideas on how to implement green finance strategies in Nepal. The event served as a forum for collaboration, promoting Nepal’s commitment to sustainable development and climate change mitigation.
As green finance continues to grow, events like the Climate Finance Masterclass are critical in helping Nepal’s banking sector lead the way toward a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.
The Climate Finance Masterclass marks a significant step forward for Nepal’s banking leaders in their pursuit of sustainability. By focusing on climate risks, green bonds, and sustainability-linked loans, the masterclass equips the financial sector with the tools to foster green growth and contribute to Nepal’s long-term resilience to climate change.
For more: Nepal’s Financial Sector Leap