Date & time
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Workshops & seminars
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Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds
Brought to you by the Sustainability Ecosystem
Speaker(s)
Sean Kidney, The Climate Bond Initiative; Simon Senécal, AlphaFixe; Marc Gautier, Concordia University
Cost
This event is free
Organization
Sustainability Ecosystem
Contact
Where
Online
The transition to a sustainable and green economy requires financing of investments through projects that provide environmental and social benefits. As investors look beyond the traditional financial analysis, the bond market, through Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds, can play an essential role in attracting capital to finance these needs.
In this workshop, we will look at the development of fast-growing markets of Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds and the forces underpinning them.
- Understanding of Sustainable, Social and Green Bonds and Their Market Trends
- What is a Current State of Labelling, Certification and Taxonomies in the Market; and Their Future Direction?
- Practical Application of Sustainable Bond Issuance and Construction of Green Bond Portfolio
Our Learning Lab is designed to be accessible to individuals with different levels of expertise and knowledge on this subject. Building your knowledge in three stages: Basics, Intermediate and Specialized. Participative format of the Learning Lab will enable you to stay engaged and have your questions answered live during this 4-hour session. We strongly recommend taking the afternoon off to focus on this learning opportunity.
Session will be recorded and available for viewing.
AGENDA
(Subject to minor changes)
1-1:45 p.m. — Awareness — Simon Sénecal
- Bonds: Understanding Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds, Their Characteristics and Market Overview, Fundamentals
1:45-3:30 p.m. — Basics — Sean Kidney
- Sean Kidney–About Climate Bond Initiative
- Labelling, Certification, and Taxonomies
- The Coming Decade of Green Finance
3:30—5 p.m. — Specialized — Case Study
- Case Study: Sustainability Bond Issuance at Concordia University presented by Marc Gauthier
- Simon Sénecal—Construction of Responsible Bond Portfolio
- Open floor discussion and networking
SPEAKERS
Simon Senécal, M.Sc., SIPC, AlphaFixe Portfolio Manager, Responsible Investment
As Portfolio Manager, Simon works on developing the Green Bond Fund that allows AlphaFixe to expand its influence in responsible investment. Simon oversees the ESG analysis and develops the necessary management tools to measure the portfolios’ carbon footprint and assess climate risks. Simon is also involved in the firm’s investment strategy as well as customer service.
Prior to joining AlphaFixe Capital, Simon worked as an Investment and Treasury Manager at Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ), where he oversaw various external mandates. In addition, he was a member of the Sustainable Development Committee. Simon also worked at the Treasury of Desjardins Group as Credit Analyst.
Simon holds a Master’s degree in Finance from Sherbrooke University and a Bachelor’s degree in economics from UQAM. He also holds a Sustainable Investment Professional Certification from Concordia University.
Sean Kidney, Co-Founder and CEO, Climate Bonds Initiative
Sean Kidney is the CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative, an international NGO working to mobilize debt capital markets for climate solutions. Projects include a green bond definitions and certification scheme with $34 trillion of assets represented on its Board and some 50 organizations involved in its development and governance; advising the EU; and working with China’s central bank on how to grow green bonds in China. Sean is also Consultant (Green Bonds) to the United Nations Secretary General.
An accomplished international speaker, Sean has over the past year spoken at conferences and seminars in Toronto, New York, Boston, Washington, DC, Paris, Frankfurt, Utrecht, London, Casablanca, Doha, Beijing, Hong Kong and Sydney.
He is also a member of German International Aid Ministry’s TRANSfer Expert Group on “Using Climate Financing to Leverage Sustainable Transport; Mercer’s Sustainability Opportunities Fund Advisory Panel; The Canadian Corporate Knights Capital Advisory Council; Carbon War Room’s Building Efficiency Advisory Board; The Partnership on Sustainable Low Carbon Transport’s (SloCAT) Financing Framework.
He was a member of the 2013 Commonwealth Secretariat’s Expert Committee on Climate Finance.
Sean was previously an award-winning marketing advisor to a number of the largest Australian pension funds and a social marketer and publisher.
Marc Gautier, CPA, CMA, B.Sc. Finance & Accounting, University Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer Concordia University
Early last year, Concordia became the first Canadian university to issue a sustainable bond, which will generate environmental and social benefits as defined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. A few months later, Concordia signed a declaration with nine other Quebec universities committing to more sustainability education and research and carbon neutrality by 2050 at the latest.
About Sustainability Ecosystem Initiative
The Sustainability Ecosystem is created to foster constructive interactions and strengthen multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder collaboration and education, in Montreal and beyond. We create opportunities to meet and exchange information, experiences, and ideas for collaboration on sustainability topics.
Learning Labs Series
Fast-paced hands on participative experiences that bring the knowledge on key pressing sustainability issues from experts around the world. Each learning lab will have a brainstorming session and opportunities for building awareness and knowledge sharing. Sustainability experts representing task forces, providers of frameworks and processes and authoritative bodies will be invited to present their content in order to educate stakeholders. Ten Learning Labs per year will be developed and delivered to members of the CFA, PRI-Quebec, RIA, PRMIA, SASB, FRM, FSI, universities, investment firms, corporations, government and non-government initiatives.
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