Financing Credible Transitions

Financing Credible Transitions - A framework for identifying credible transitions, a joint Climate Bonds & Credit Suisse Whitepaper

How to ensure the transition label has impact:

The white paper presented a framework for identifying credible transitions and had 2 purposes:

1. Define transition as a concept by presenting a starting point for the market to see a credible brown to green transition as ambitious, inclusive and aligned with the Paris Agreement (thereby avoiding greenwash), providing the definition and meaning of transition finance.

2. Put forward a framework for use of the transition label in practice and propose clearly demarcated roles for both a green and a transition label.

 A summary of this is available in the resources box 'summary note' along with the the whole paper 'Financing credible transitions (white paper)'. 

本書では、パリ協定に沿った信頼できる移行を特定するためのフレームワークを提示する。
本書には2つの目的がある。

1. 信頼できる「ブラウン」から「グリーン」への移行が、野心的で包括的、かつパリ協定に沿ったものであると市場がみなすための出発点を提示することによって、移行を概念として定義する（それによりグリーンウォッシュを回避する）。

2. グリーンラベルとトランジションラベルの役割分担を明確にし、実際にトランジションラベルを活用するための枠組みを提案する。
これらの提案の背景には、移行の性質は事業体によって異なり、経済活動の必要性や代替性、脱炭素化の短期的・長期的可能性に左右されるという認識がある。

1. Defining transition as a concept 

Whilst the Green bond market has grown fast over recent years, there is insufficient volume and diversity of sectors and on their own, they will not deliver the goals of the Paris Agreement.  To do this, all sectors of the economy will adjust to operate effectively in a low carbon economy.  For many sectors - especially the high carbon emitting sectors - they may need to fundamentally reshape and transform their strategy in light of the challenges of a changing climate.

The paper presented 5 Core Principles for an ambitious transition that need to be considered for any organisation looking to transition in order to ensure that transition is done in the right way.  If a bond meets these principles, it’s important to also check that:

• there is sufficient information to enable an informed decision to be made;
• that it doesn’t contribute to locking in GHG intensive infrastructure.

In addition, the paper presented 3 key features that a transition must display:  

Three common features for Transition

• Ambitious – this means aiming high i.e. in line with 1.5 degrees or has a significant emissions reduction potential) and aiming well i.e ensuring that reductions are real (no offsets) and plans are real (not just a plan to have a plan).

• Flexible – applicable to whole entities, everything they do, and a range of associated financial products

• Inclusive – allow all sectors and activities to participate as long as they demonstrate compliance with the principles and framework outline

A framework for use of the transition label

Some low-emissions solutions are already available in some sectors, and transition should therefore be towards those solutions. For others, there are no solutions yet, but substitute low-emission activities exist and so the transition should be towards better alternatives. The nature of transition differs depending on the need and potential to decarbonise them. Different financial mechanisms can be employed to fund this transition and can be tailored to engage the appropriate investor: