Our investment decisions are underpinned by robust principles and policies designed to ensure that each investment's green impact is assessed, monitored and reported to the highest standard.
We are committed to ensuring that our approach is at the forefront of market practice. We want to help catalyse a sector wide improvement in these areas. However, this is a relatively new area of banking. As such, we have adopted an approach based on 'learning through doing' and underpinned by a commitment to continuous improvement.
What we mean by green impact
Our definition of 'green impact' relates to five specific measures. We call them our 'Green Purposes':
1. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
2. The advancement of efficiency in the use of natural resources
3. The protection or enhancement of the natural environment
4. The protection or enhancement of biodiversity
5. The promotion of environmental sustainability
Every investment we make must contribute to at least one of these measures, and often contribute to more than one.
How we assess, monitor and report green impact
Every investment considered by us must pass through a robust green impact assessment process before it can be approved. Every approved investment is subject to robust, detailed and continuous green impact monitoring, spanning all aspects of its green performance. Every investment is subject to detailed green impact reporting, in our Annual Report. The detail of these processes is set out in our Green Investment Handbook, and in the policy and principles below.
Our commitment to continuous improvement
Green impact assessment, monitoring and reporting is a relatively young discipline within banking. We are committed to ensuring our approach is at the forefront of market practice. That means the adoption of existing relevant international good practice and active engagement on our own approach with a wide range of stakeholders.
We have adopted the Equator Principles, a framework for identifying and managing the impacts on the environment within the project finance industry. Similarly we have signed the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment, which provide a framework for embedding environmental, social and governance concerns into investment decision making.
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Gavin Templeton
Head of Sustainable Finance
Gavin Templeton
Head of Sustainable Finance
Gavin leads the UK Green Investment Group’s Green team. He is responsible for all of the organisation’s external and internal engagement on green issues, and leads the sustainability element of its work. Gavin has worked in finance and commodity markets for 20 years, beginning his career at BP before moving to Morgan Stanley, Rabobank and VTB Capital. Over his career, Gavin has worked in both physical and financial emission and commodity markets covering sales, marketing, finance, origination, trading and analysis. He has worked on the sustainability agenda since the beginning of the European Emissions Trading Scheme and United Nations Clean Development Mechanism, as well as financing renewable energy and emission reduction projects across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Contact the Green Team
We are keen to receive feedback on our policies. You can provide feedback by contacting the team by telephone or email.
Contact our Green Team