Skip Links

Content Area Main Navigation

Sustainability and Social Impact

header.search.alt

White paper | November 2022

The green inflection point

Driving decarbonization of the real economy

At a glance

Decarbonizing the real economy

Progress has been made so far on decarbonization. But, the financial sector has an opportunity to do more to drive measurable change.
To drive change further, financial institutions need to intensify constructive engagement with emission-intensive sectors against a background of regulatory pressures and public scrutiny.
Creating and supporting frameworks, standards and collaborative efforts will enable the financial sector to drive the low-carbon transition – especially in hard-to-transition sectors.
The financial sector has various tools available – including investing, financing and advising. These tools can all be applied to inform, shape and drive the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Innovative funding approaches can help bring relevant stakeholders together to ensure that finance is not the barrier to decarbonization efforts.

White paperDownload PDF

Decarbonizing the real economy through impactful financial sector engagement requires targeted engagement, effective partnerships and innovative financial approaches.

What insight will you gain if you read this white paper?

This edition of our white paper series sets out to do the following:

Identify key actions that the financial sector can take to help accelerate and scale decarbonization of the real economy
Present an engaging discussion that highlights the progress made so far through sustainable finance initiatives on frameworks, standards, and cross-sectoral collaboration
Offer expert opinion on potential next steps that can drive and build on decarbonization efforts across sectors, while sharing case studies from organizations that are already having measurable impact

                We are standing at an inflection point, where we feel a change in speed is needed. It is time to move beyond exclusions and reinforce our focus on engagement. By focusing on greening our collective future with renewed urgency and commitment, we can achieve our net-zero objectives and transform what tomorrow will bring.
                
            UBS Sustainability and Impact Institute, white paper “The green inflection point”

What will drive real economy decarbonization?

Measurable reductions

Driving actions that measurably reduce actual carbon emissions in the environment

Systemic approach

Understanding the levers, complex dependencies and causalities that drive change across single issues, and interconnected systems of issues

Scalability

Identifying and supporting innovations and initiatives that can scale across geographies and sectors quickly

What is the challenge?

Investors and companies currently focus on decarbonization through various approaches, for example exclusion, restrictive lending policies and divesting. These approaches achieve decarbonization through portfolio alignment – investments become greener by aligning with greener objectives. But the climate does not necessarily benefit immediately.

We suggest that to move the needle on decarbonization – to reduce actual GHG emissions and help carbon intensive sectors transition more quickly – more can be done. In this white paper The green inflection point we share with you key actions and considerations that can help the financial sector support this transition in the real economy more effectively.

What is greening?

Our experts suggest that a key mindset shift is needed to go from greenness to greening. Through focusing on efforts that actively green the economy – reducing GHG emissions and transitioning to a low carbon economy faster, our ability to meet net zero targets is better supported.

Focusing on companies that need help to transition more quickly can be a powerful strategy for climate conscious investors.

Adam Gustafsson, The UBS Sustainability and Impact Institute

Podcast

The Bulletin with UBS_2022

00:00

The green inflection point. Francis Condon and Adam Gustafsson on decarbonizing the real economy

Francis Condon and Adam Gustafsson discuss the key actions that the financial sector can to take in order to scale and speed up the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Download audio

Source: Monocle, for more podcasts visit https://monocle.com/radio/shows/the-bulletin-with-ubs/426/

Video

Progress to Net Zero

What is Net Zero and why is it important? Francis Condon, Head of Thematic Engagement at UBS Asset Management, explains.

Video Player is loading.

Current Time 0:00

Duration 0:00

Loaded: 0%

Stream Type LIVE

Remaining Time 0:00

Discover more insights

Viewpoints

Bite-size articles and interviews to enhance your understanding of sustainability and impact

Explore Viewpoints

Publications

Our latest guides, white papers and reports by our experts curated here for you

Explore Publications

Videos

Watch a series of interviews, panels and storytelling videos with our inspiring clients, partners and experts

Podcasts

Tune in to our sustainability and impact podcasts for lively discussions full of fresh insights and tips

Explore Podcasts

Brochures

How can we help you achieve your goals? Download our brochures to find out!

Explore Brochures

Visions

UBS Global Visionaries are Entrepreneurs and thought leaders working to achieve the 17 UN sustainable development goals. UBS supports them to scale their positive impact. These GVs are actively working on decarbonization in the real economy.

Christoph Gebald and Jan Wurzbacher

We founded Climeworks with the vision to provide the world a tech that has the potential to reverse climate change.

Rodrigo Garcia & Pierre Paslier, Notpla CEOs

Imagine a world where packaging disappears naturally, just like a fruit peel.

Portrait of Arch Rao

In this decade, SPAN will enable millions of homes to electrify by replacing the key bottleneck - the outdated electrical panel, and eliminate 40% of emissions originating from our everyday lifestyle choices.

Learn more about the UBS Global Visionaries

ubs.com/globalvisionaries

Contact us

Get in touch

Want more information or talk to an expert? We look forward to speaking with you.