Agenda
Over the course of two rich, immersive and deeply interactive days, a world-class roster of speakers addressed the critical issues behind the growth of ESG-linked and climate financing across the Caribbean.
Conference Orientation
Welcome Remarks
Keynote Interview: Why Does ESG & Climate Finance Matter for the Caribbean?
Caribbean Stock Exchange Roundtable: Drivers of ESG for the Region
Stock exchanges sit at the epicenter of the Caribbean financing ecosystem. They are uniquely placed to drive the market towards good ESG. Gathering the CEOs of three major regional exchanges, this panel will explore the extent to which exchanges view themselves as drivers of sustainable finance in the Caribbean, initiatives already underway, the challenges to adoption among their member companies, and the potential for regional collaboration to accelerate the transition.
Coffee Break & Flash Networking
The Caribbean Banking Sector as a Driver of ESG Financing
Regional banks are increasingly espousing their commitment to sustainable lending. But what does this look like in practice? How will funds be allocated? And will they be able to make the case for ESG to their client base?
- Are regional banks ready to move forward with ESG-linked lending?
- How will metrics and data be deployed?
- How can regulation and central bank supervision support ESG lending?
- Outside the clean energy space, do we have any early ESG-lending success stories?
- What role can and should banks play in driving private sector buy-in?
- How can banks support social and gender equity among their clients?
Taking the Pulse
Live Polling Session
Join us for a live polling session as we gauge the key trends, drivers, and challenges to the roll-out of an ESG and climate-centric financing ecosystem across the Caribbean. A panel of experts will be on stage to discuss the implications.
Corporate Leaders: ESG & the Private Sector
Robust ESG increases top-line growth, reduces costs, optimizes investment and capital expenditures, minimizes regulatory and legal interventions, and increases employee productivity. The case is strong, but so is the lift. Gathering a cross section of regional corporate leaders, this panel will explore what initiatives are already underway, and what needs to be done to mainstream ESG across the Caribbean.
- For the region’s leading corporates, how important is the social license to operate in the Caribbean?
- What support from governments and regulators would facilitate strong ESG?
- What does the private sector need from regional lenders?
- What programs and practices have leading corporates already put in place, and with what lessons learned?
Williams Caribbean Capital Green Bond Program
Corporate Spotlight
Williams Industries ground-breaking green bond program, launched in 2018, has financed the expansion of its solar energy business. This case study session will explore its green bond roadmap.
- Why did they choose a green bond program?
- How challenging was it to certify the issuance with the Climate Bond Initiative?
- What was the role of Sustainalytics?
- How laborious are reporting requirements?
- How did they cultivate an investor base and what was the response like in terms of demand?
Financing the Future of the Tourism Industry
Sector Spotlight
Many hospitality sector assets are at risk of being stranded in the long-term due to the impact of climate change. How does the sector pay for the resilient infrastructure needed to secure the physical assets? How do we finance the risk? Ultimately, how does the industry act now to secure the industry for tomorrow?
- What can we learn from regional groundbreakers e.g. Bucuti & Chukka Caribbean?
- How can resorts market ESG to generate a return?
- What financing is currently available to the hospitality sector, from what sources and what terms?
Policy and Market-Based Mechanisms for Climate Finance in the Caribbean
Co-Hosted By The World Bank | Climate Support Facility
There is widespread concern about the availability and speed of international climate finance that countries have been able to access to accelerate climate action. This panel discussion aims to discuss the previous experience in the region on alternative approaches to climate finance through fiscal policy (e.g. carbon pricing, fuel taxes), the role of market mechanisms (carbon trading), and other instruments to promote sustainable development and green, resilient recovery. This will include a dialogue on additional advantages/benefits of these approaches beyond supporting pathways towards a low carbon and resilient future. The session will shed light on what needs to be done both at the regional and country level to develop and implement such approaches.
Key topics for discussion:
- Caribbean experience with climate finance mechanisms (mitigation, adaptation finance)
- Options for carbon pricing approaches and benefits beyond climate
- Monetizing the energy transition through climate finance
- Resources available to develop and implement these approaches
