International law firm Pinsent Masons has joined Climate Bonds Initiative's Partners Programme, an international network mobilising debt markets to tackle climate change and finance green solutions.

Fostering sustainability

Pinsent Masons acted on behalf of the UK Green Investment Bank to establish a joint venture commitment of £200 million from the British government’s international climate fund. Previous work with the Green Investment Bank has included programmes for climate change mitigation projects in India, Africa, Mexico, Indonesia and other developing countries in Asia. The firm's partnership with Climate Bonds will support its mission to develop international green finance markets and assist green bond issuances. Carolyn Saunders, head of pensions & long-term savings at Pinsent Masons said “We are delighted to announce our partnership with the Climate Bonds Initiative. Opportunities to positively influence climate change exist within every sector and it is great to be able to work with the Climate Bonds Initiative to drive action around this. Serena Vento, director of fundraising & partnerships, Climate Bonds Initiative said “Pinsent Masons are a welcome addition to our Partners network. They have been active in the clean energy sector and committed to fostering sustainable development. We look forward to working together developing green opportunities and assisting the transition to a low carbon economy.”

Mainstreaming climate

"Climate change has the potential to affect many aspects of daily life and to generate significant financial risks – as well as investment opportunities. With the direction of travel towards mainstreaming climate and environmental factors into the UK's financial system having been clearly signalled, asset owners should expect increasing scrutiny of their governance around climate risk and will, in turn, need to demand more of their asset managers and investment advisers. “We hope that our work with the Partners Programme will contribute towards a system in which there is a greater range of funds under the green umbrella, a reduction in the risks associated with investing in green funds and more effective integration of climate initiatives.”