Why policy?

  • Policies and regulations set the legal and regulatory framework for sustainable finance. For instance, public policy affects the ability of financial institutions to measure and report their carbon emission as there is currently no standard to do this. Authorities can help by creating standards so that all companies use the same language when reporting their carbon activities.
  • Policy is also an enabler for finance to flow into sustainable solutions, such as home decarbonization and regenerative agriculture.
  • There is currently a policy path uncertainty. One of the key issues highlighted by stakeholders is the current stasis of policy incentives and an almost ‘rational inertia.’ Long-term policy plans are needed to achieve net zero goals.

Our Policy Approach

  • Strategic policy alignment: Identify areas that require the most attention if the UK is to meet its 2030/2035 targets, to create a shared understanding of where current policies are inadequate to deliver on future UK carbon budgets and where financial institutions can play a role in closing the gap.
  • Policy support: Financial institutions certainly cannot deliver a net zero transition without supportive policy action and incentives such as tax breaks, subsidies, or public contracts.
  • Policy engagement: B4NZ actively engages with policymakers, regulators, and other relevant organisations to advance our policy asks within Government.

B4NZ’s policy activities include but are not limited to:

  • Responding to consultations, when relevant, and sending letters to policymakers.
  • Circulating bi-weekly policy insights to members.
  • Making comprehensive recommendations to the Government backed up with evidence.
  • Engaging with policymakers and organisations to prioritise critical environmental issues on the political agenda.

How our members get involved

  • B4NZ considers our members’ interests when developing policy insights and research. Members can use these insights to strengthen their policy position.
  • Members can communicate their policy asks for us to advance their objectives within Government.
  • Members can engage with our policy work by participating in our roundtables and events with policymakers to advance their objectives.