Shaping the Future of Finance: Highlights from Sustainable Finance Week Ireland 2024
Sustainable Finance Week Ireland 2024 wrapped up successfully, celebrating its seventh year. Previously known as Climate Finance Week Ireland, the event has been rebranded to reflect its broader focus on sustainable finance. This flagship event brought together experts and leaders to share innovative ideas and practical solutions for integrating sustainability into the financial system. With a carefully designed programme, it encouraged collaboration and provided valuable insights, supporting the ongoing journey towards a more sustainable future.
A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible sponsors who made Sustainable Finance Week Ireland 2024 possible. Their support was instrumental in bringing together global leaders, fostering collaboration, and driving forward the sustainable finance agenda.
A huge thank you to:
- Proudly sponsored by AIB
- In association with Department of Finance
- Supported by Skillnet Ireland
- Sponsors: Arthur Cox, Aviva, EIT Climate-KIC, Euronext, ILIM, Maples Group, Philip Lee, S&P Global Ratings, and IOB
Your contributions and commitment to sustainability are deeply appreciated – we couldn’t have done it without you!
Diverse and Forward-Thinking Themes
The themes of this year’s Sustainable Finance Week Ireland 2024 showcased a diverse and forward-thinking agenda, focusing on critical areas shaping the future of sustainable finance. Key topics included:
- Transition Finance: Exploring pathways to facilitate the shift from high-carbon to low-carbon economies, with a focus on strategies to support businesses and industries in meeting climate targets.
- Gender and Social Finance: Highlighting the role of finance in promoting social equity, gender inclusion, and addressing inequalities through impactful investment and funding models.
- AI and Innovation: Examining how artificial intelligence and technological advancements are transforming the financial sector, driving efficiencies, and enabling innovative solutions for sustainability challenges.
- Impact Investing: Delving into investments aimed at generating positive social and environmental outcomes alongside financial returns, with a spotlight on metrics and measurement frameworks.
- Nature Finance: Discussing financial mechanisms to protect and restore biodiversity, natural ecosystems, and the sustainable use of natural resources.
- Sustainable Insurance: Focusing on the insurance industry’s role in managing climate risks, promoting resilience, and integrating sustainability into underwriting and risk management practices.
Transition Finance Day emerged as a highlight of Sustainable Finance Week Ireland 2024, emphasised the critical role of cross-border collaboration and innovative financial solutions in advancing the transition to a net-zero economy. As the global shift towards a low-carbon future accelerates, transition finance has become pivotal in bridging traditional finance models with sustainable development goals.
The inaugural Irish–UK Transition Finance Summit was a cornerstone event, uniting stakeholders from seven jurisdictions, including governments, financial institutions, and the private sector. The summit provided a platform to explore how these entities can collaborate effectively to mobilise the capital needed for a successful transition to net zero.
The programme featured engaging panel discussions led by prominent financial institutions and thought leaders, including contributions from firms such as Deloitte and insights from experts including Frank Elderson, Member of the ECB’s Executive Board; Michael Bennett, Head of Market Solutions and Structured Finance at the World Bank; Butch Bacani, Programme Leader for UN Environment’s Principles for Sustainable Insurance Initiative; Sharon Donnery, Deputy Governor for Financial Regulation at the Central Bank of Ireland; Cécile Goubet, Managing Director at Institut de la Finance Durable; and Kate Levick, Associate Director for Finance & Resilience at E3G.
These discussions centered on aligning financial strategies with environmental imperatives, offering actionable pathways for a sustainable transformation.
Ireland demonstrated its global leadership in sustainable finance through several groundbreaking initiatives during Sustainable Finance Week 2024, reinforcing its commitment to international collaboration and innovation. A standout achievement was the Irish–UK Transition Finance Summit, which brought together leaders from across jurisdictions to advance cross-border strategies for mobilising capital in support of a net-zero transition. Additionally, the signing of the Irish-French Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sustainable Finance Skills showcased Ireland’s dedication to fostering education and expertise in sustainable finance, creating pathways for bilateral cooperation in upskilling the financial workforce to address climate and social challenges. Further cementing its role as a global hub for sustainability, Ireland made meaningful strides in advancing plans for a UNDP Project Office in Dublin, which would amplify its contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering innovative solutions and partnerships on a global scale. These initiatives collectively underscore Ireland’s proactive role in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive financial future. This collaboration underscores the importance of cross-border partnerships in fostering sustainability skills.
We witnessed the real-world impact of Sustainable Finance Week Ireland (SFWI) through its ability to drive tangible progress in global sustainability through collaboration, innovation, and capacity-building. By inspiring actionable commitments from financial institutions, corporations, and policymakers, SFWI catalysed transformative change, embedding ESG principles into financial systems and promoting innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
Here’s a comprehensive look at the events that made SFWI 2024 a resounding success:
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From Rhinos to Reforestation: Linking Investor Returns to Impact Through Outcome Bonds
Kicking off the week, this roundtable led by the World Bank explored how Outcome Bonds can align investor goals with measurable environmental and social impacts. The session spotlighted innovative approaches to financing biodiversity protection and reforestation.
Speakers:
- Michael Bennett (World Bank), Asbjørn Purup Andersen (Velliv Pension), Asif Sherani (HSBC), Laura O’Connor (TD Securities), Andrew Vasila (Mackenzie Investments)
The Great Transition: Irish – U.K. Transition Finance Summit
This inaugural summit, held in partnership with UNDP FC4S, addressed the role of transition finance in bridging traditional finance with sustainable development. A significant highlight was the signing of an Irish-French Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on sustainable finance skills development, reflecting Ireland’s commitment to global collaboration. Discussions also focused on mobilising capital for a net-zero economy and overcoming cross-border challenges in transition finance. This collaboration underscores the importance of cross-border partnerships in fostering sustainability skills.
Speakers:
- Michael Behan (EirGrid Group), Catherine Baddeley (S&P Global), Brian Motherway (IEA), Marcos Mancini (UNDP), David Carlin, Mardi McBrien (IFRS Foundation), Cécile Goubet (Institut de la Finance Durable), Yvonne McCarthy (AIB), Brian O’Neill (Aviva), Niall O’Leary (ILIM)
SFWI Dinner: Honouring Frank Elderson
Tuesday evening featured the prestigious SFWI Dinner, a highlight of the week’s programme. During the event, Frank Elderson, Member of the Executive Board and Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board of the European Central Bank, was honoured with the International Leadership in Sustainable Finance Award.
Elderson’s work in embedding sustainable finance principles across the financial sector and driving innovative climate adaptation strategies was celebrated as a global benchmark.
The dinner also highlighted Ireland’s leadership in sustainable finance, with a key announcement that the government has approved negotiations for establishing a UNDP Project Office in Dublin, further solidifying Ireland’s role on the global sustainability stage.
FC4S Members Roundtable Discussion
This exclusive, members-only roundtable provided a space for leaders in sustainable finance to share insights and explore emerging topics. The event highlighted the importance of collaborative approaches in addressing shared challenges across financial centres worldwide.
Advancing Gender and Social Equality in Sustainable Finance
In collaboration with 100 Women in Finance and the UNDP Gender Charter, this event explored the critical role of gender finance and social equality in fostering sustainable growth. The discussion was enriched by insights from an upcoming new Social Finance Report, commsioned by ISFCOE from Chronos (can’t remember exact name). Dr  Rory Sullivan outlined key findings so far to an appreciative audience.
Speakers:
- Joanna Thompson de Colonges (100WF), Cathy Bryce (AIB), Andrew Bowley (Wells Fargo), Rory Sullivan (Chronos Sustainability), Delfina Monteverdi (UNDP FC4S), Aisling McCaffrey (Grant Thornton), Sarah Thompson (Arthur Cox), Zara Hussey (Climate Cardinals)
Credit Union Event: Building on the ESG Skills Report
This training session for CUMA members, delivered by KPMG’s Sustainable Futures Team, built on findings from the CUMA ESG Skills Report to provide practical tools for implementing sustainable practices.
Euronext / Arthur Cox Panel Discussion on Transition Finance and Bond Issuance
Hosted at Euronext Dublin, this panel explored the evolving landscape of transition finance and bond issuance. Speakers like Valerie O’Flaherty (Euronext Dublin) and Aisling Kelly (Arthur Cox) shared best practices and insights on regulatory compliance, emphasising the financial sector’s critical role in driving sustainable economic growth.
Speakers:
- Valerie O’Flaherty (Euronext Dublin), Donna Wilson (AIB), Daryl Byrne (Euronext Dublin), Aisling Kelly (Arthur Cox), Maedhbh Clancy (Arthur Cox)
UN European Sustainable Insurance Summit
Held at the Central Bank of Ireland, this summit focused on the evolving landscape of sustainable insurance, with discussions led by key global figures in the sector.
Speakers:
- Alex Campbell (Long Duration Energy Storage Council), Sharon Donnery (Central Bank of Ireland), Butch Bacani (UNEP FI), Ricardo Lara (California Insurance Commissioner), Jan Kellett (UNDP), Coenraad Vrolijk (Carbon Pool), Bruno Lepoivre (Credit Agricole Assurance), Deepak Jobanputra (Vitality), Emily McKenzie (TNFD), Dick Benschop (Mission Possible Partnership), Gabriella Durisch (Allianz Commercial), Lauretta Filangieri (Intesa Sanpaolo Vita), Maxim Vergeichik (UNDP)
Measuring and Disclosing Nature Data
This webinar by IOB provided practical strategies for integrating nature-based solutions into business models and aligning with CSRD standards.
Speaker:
- Dr. John Garvey (Senior Lecturer)
SCREENSHOT OF WEBINAR // LINK TO RECORDING
UN Principles of Responsible Investment Annual Irish Event
This members-only session explored sustainable investment priorities for 2025 and beyond, offering a space for PRI members to share strategies and challenges.
Speakers:
- Conor Kehoe (PRI), Anna Skrivanou (PRI)
Access to Sustainable Finance by SMEs
This seminar highlighted scalable actions SMEs can take to improve their sustainability impact and access green finance opportunities.
Speakers:
- John McGeown (AIB), Gordon Naughton (Tactive), Laura Heuston (SustainabilityWorks), Susan Rossney (Chartered Accountants Ireland), Orla O’Gorman (Non-Executive Director)
CDP Ireland Event on Nature Finance
This session explored how frameworks like CDP, TNFD, and FLAG targets can enhance reporting practices and meet CSRD requirements.
Speaker:
- Brian O’Kennedy (Clearstream Solutions)
How AI and Innovation Can Accelerate Our Transition to a Net Zero Economy
This session, hosted by Maples Group, explored the role of AI in transforming sustainable finance practices. A fireside chat with Aoibheann O’Brien from FoodCloud provided a compelling example of how innovation can tackle global challenges.
Speakers:
- Ian Conlon (Maples Group), Claire Morrissey (Maples Group), Seán Boyle (UnitMode), Brian Marrinan (Team ABC Ventures), Aidan Kenny (Maples Group), Niamh O’Shea (Maples Group), Aoibheann O’Brien (FoodCloud)
