1. Climate Bonds Standard text delayed until July.
We're running late. We had planned to release the first version of the new Climate Bonds Standard text in May, after addressing issues raised in our public consultation phase. But we're still addressing comments on areas such as balance sheet reporting requirements for corporate Climate Bonds, on referencing - or not - other governance or environmental standards, and on the nature of sanctions for non-compliance. The release is now scheduled for the early to mid July. Thank you for your patience.
2. We welcome 3 new members of the Climate Bonds Advisory Panel from Turkey, NZ and Canada:
Melsa Ararat – Istanbul, Turkey. Director of Sabanci University Corporate Governance Forum of Turkey and Carbon Disclosure Project Turkey, coordinator of IFC’s Emerging Markets Corporate Governance Research Network, author of IFC’s Sustainable Investment in Turkey 2010 report.
Murray Ward – Auckland, New Zealand. Former negotiator for NZ’s UNFCCC delegation as well as responsible for steering NZ’s domestic climate change policy; an architect of the Kyoto framework, notably for LULUCF (one of the world’s worst acronyms – basically carbon sinks) and market trading mechanisms. Has recently advised the ADB on ‘Engaging private sector capital’ and the International Civil Aviation Organisation on reducing emissions from aviation.
Nelson Switzer – Toronto, Canada. President of sustainability advisors Asherleaf Consulting. Former head of sustainability for North America’s largest integrated energy company, Direct Energy (a Centrica company), and senior environmental advisor to Canada’s leading financial institution, the Royal Bank of Canada.
