On May 16, 2024, Finance Montréal announced the successful conclusion of the 4th edition of the Sustainable Finance Summit, held on May 14 and 15. This event brought together over 650 financial sector professionals, government representatives, civil society experts, academics, and business leaders, all committed to transforming global finance in response to climate and environmental challenges.
Notable attendees included the Honorable Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change; Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montreal; Emmanuel Faber, Chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB); and Eric Usher, Head of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). Discussions centered on the theme “From Ambition to Action: Transforming Global Finance,” highlighting concrete steps to embed sustainability at the core of finance.
Two major announcements marked the summit:
- Fonds Investi: The selection of three fixed-income managers — Addenda Capital, Beutel Goodman, and Fiera Capital — to drive sustainable and impact investment strategies, with a particular focus on economic development and strengthening sustainable finance in Quebec.
- Montreal Center for Nature-Based Solutions and Biodiversity Financing: Finance Montréal announced plans to develop a new expertise hub dedicated to biodiversity financing and nature-based solutions in response to the COP15 call to action. UNEP FI will provide technical guidance for the center’s launch.
Mayor Valérie Plante reaffirmed Montreal’s ambition to become a leader in sustainable finance in North America, highlighting the city’s recent membership in the C40 Cities Network Accelerator. This initiative aims to promote divestment from fossil fuels and increased investment in a sustainable future.
Montreal’s strengthened position as a hub for sustainable finance offers investment opportunities in projects and initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Investors should closely follow developments related to the Fonds Investi and the Montreal Center for Nature-Based Solutions, as these initiatives could present attractive prospects for responsible and sustainable investments. Furthermore, the city’s commitment to sustainable finance is likely to attract more companies and investors, further bolstering Montreal’s financial ecosystem.
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