As part of MUFG N0W (Net Zero World) and the Climate Bonds Connect series, MUFG and Climate Bonds Initiative hosted its 4th annual ESG event in Mumbai, India.
Attended by more than 150 MUFG clients, the session focused on “Accelerating Ambition and Finance–India’s transition to Net Zero”. The keynote address delivered by Ananth Narayan from SEBI set the tone for the evening, who shared his regulatory perspective on capital formation in India and SEBI’s approach towards climate finance requirements to facilitate the process of India’s transition to net zero.
Attended by more than 150 MUFG clients, the session focused on “Accelerating Ambition and Finance–India’s transition to Net Zero”. The keynote address delivered by Ananth Narayan from SEBI set the tone for the evening, who shared his regulatory perspective on capital formation in India and SEBI’s approach towards climate finance requirements to facilitate the process of India’s transition to net zero.
The first panel discussion of the evening featured issuers from Avaada Group, JSW and State Bank of India discussing the evolving landscape of the renewable industry, strategy for transition of hard to abate sectors and challenges with accessing capital and what domestic financial institutions can do to accelerate India’s transition. Tomohiro (Tomo) Ishikawa, MUFG’s Chief Regulatory Engagement Officer, affirmed the bank’s huge commitment to support the region’s energy transition ambitions by facilitating access to capital.
The second panel discussion with global investors from Amundi, Ninety One, Schroders and State Street covered investors’ appetite for transition with a focus on speed, outlook and opportunities in emerging markets (including India), as well as continued engagement with Indian corporates in the climate space and market expectations regarding ‘greenium’.
The session wrapped with a fireside chat with Adani Group around their growing pipeline of green investments and cost structures required for this transformation, managing climate resilience within a diverse portfolio while steering the business of a group that has huge transition ambitions.
Shashank Joshi, MUFG Bank’s Deputy CEO of India, reflected: “This event saw a good turnout and the discussions were very robust due to the high calibre of the industry experts and business leaders – reaffirming the growing awareness of India’s energy transition and further establishing MUFG’s reputation as a leader in sustainable finance. We are grateful to our clients, partners and speakers for coming along on this important journey of dialogue engagement and collaboration as we move forward towards a net-zero future for India together.”
