The 2024 Sustainable Finance Forum opens up the market

The 2024 Sustainable Finance Forum officially opened today, laying a solid foundation for Canada's critical development moment. With the gradual formation of Canada's sustainable finance framework following major policies released by the federal government in the fall, momentum continues to strengthen, bringing unprecedented opportunities to Canada. This forum is the third edition of the event, attracting policy makers, investors, and industry leaders, focusing on promoting Canada's advancement in sustainable finance alongside global leaders and fully tapping into its potential advantages.

Firstly, sustainable finance is crucial for Canada. It is not only a guarantee of economic competitiveness, but also an important tool for creating high-tech jobs, addressing climate change, and solving social problems. This grand event is jointly organized by the Canadian Community Economic Development Network, the Institute for Sustainable Finance, and the Association of Influential Investment Practitioners, with the support of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance. It is also co hosted by Member of Parliament Ryan Turnbull, Chair of the Social Innovation and Sustainable Finance Core Group. This unprecedented forum brings together forces from across the country focused on social innovation and climate finance.

Secondly, financial markets can serve as catalysts for solving social problems. From climate change to economic opportunities to housing issues, innovative financial tools can accelerate the resolution of these major challenges. The forum showcases new opportunities for investors, businesses, and social purpose organizations, while promoting the creation of a favorable policy environment that directs capital towards sustainable development, becoming a driving force for Canada's sustainable financial leadership. The purpose of this event is to gather policy makers, funding providers, and innovative ideas to jointly outline a more prosperous and green future. The two-day forum will be held on November 28-29, 2024, with the goal of developing a clear development blueprint for Canada to become a world leader in sustainable finance. At the same time, the event summarized Canada's achievements and provided recommendations for key actions for the next steps.

In addition, the forum focuses on consistency with the global sustainable development agenda. Under the G20's commitments to climate action, biodiversity, and equitable transition, the forum discussed the urgent need for net zero transition, emission caps, and building resilient communities through social financing. Experts also conducted in-depth analysis on how Canada's financial industry and impact investing can play a role in addressing challenges such as healthcare, housing, and climate adaptation. By integrating local insights and international perspectives, the forum showcased Canada's potential in building a financial system that can promote economic growth and enhance social resilience. In recent years, Canada has been committed to implementing major sustainable financial policies, such as classification standards and information disclosure, which are expected to fundamentally change industry rules and promote closer integration between climate action and capital flows. Currently, it is the best time for Canada to take a leading role in the global sustainable finance sector. As long as the financial industry collaborates with policy makers to develop innovative solutions, the goal can be achieved.

Overall, the 2024 Canadian Sustainable Finance Forum is an important event in the global field of sustainable development. In the context of global economic transformation and climate change response, the financial industry bears a key responsibility. Although Canada's traditional financial system holds an important position in the global market, its emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors still needs to be further strengthened. This forum will focus on core issues such as green finance, climate investment, and ESG standardization, aiming to accelerate the flow of capital towards sustainable sectors. This not only helps Canada consolidate its position as a global leader in sustainable finance, but also provides important references for global financial markets to address climate and social risks.

The forum also pays special attention to providing experience and support to developing economies and emerging markets, promoting global green cooperation. The results of this activity will contribute to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, while promoting more capital to serve the common future of humanity and the planet. As an industry event, it also calls on the global community to jointly promote the transformation of the financial system towards a more sustainable direction through cooperation and innovation. This goal requires not only the joint efforts of policy makers and financial institutions, but also the active participation and collaboration of all parties around the world.