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The Science of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or just a possibility, it is now a reality for all of us. In this pathway, Kevin Trenberth, a renowned climatologist, delves into the science behind climate change. He first introduces the climate system, its main components and forces.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is by far the biggest threat to our oceans and this remains an incredibly tough problem to solve. Plastic credits could potentially serve as one of the much needed solutions for this crisis.

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The Scale of the Net Zero Challenge

The price of meeting net zero is estimated to be between $100-150 trillion over the next 30 years. Regardless of this cost, we need to reach net zero before climate change does irreversible damage to the environment and the economy.

ESG, Sustainability and Impact Jargon Buster

ESG, sustainability, impact… they all just mean green, right? Not quite. Despite being used often interchangeably, there are distinct differences between these terms.

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Featured Pathways

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The Science of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or just a possibility, it is now a reality for all of us. In this pathway, Kevin Trenberth, a renowned climatologist, delves into the science behind climate change. He first introduces the climate system, its main components and forces.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is by far the biggest threat to our oceans and this remains an incredibly tough problem to solve. Plastic credits could potentially serve as one of the much needed solutions for this crisis.

More pathways

Book a demo

Ready to get started?

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Expert led content

+1,000 expert presented, on-demand video modules

Learning analytics

Keep track of learning progress with our comprehensive data

Interactive learning

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Testing & certification

Gain CPD / CPE credits and professional certification

Managed learning

Build, scale and manage your organisation’s learning

Integrations

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Featured Content

More featured content

The Scale of the Net Zero Challenge

The price of meeting net zero is estimated to be between $100-150 trillion over the next 30 years. Regardless of this cost, we need to reach net zero before climate change does irreversible damage to the environment and the economy.

ESG, Sustainability and Impact Jargon Buster

ESG, sustainability, impact… they all just mean green, right? Not quite. Despite being used often interchangeably, there are distinct differences between these terms.

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Global Taxonomy Fragmentation

Global Taxonomy Fragmentation

Keith Mullin

35 years: Capital markets editorial

In this video, Keith discusses the growing concerns around the proliferation of diverse and divergent taxonomies, which are leading to fragmentation and taxonomy competition. There are fears that multiple verification processes will lead to higher issuing costs and lower issuer and investor confidence. However, international organisations such as the IPSF and the G20's Sustainable Finance Working Group are working towards international alignment and co-ordination to minimise risks and ensure transparency in the sustainable finance market.

In this video, Keith discusses the growing concerns around the proliferation of diverse and divergent taxonomies, which are leading to fragmentation and taxonomy competition. There are fears that multiple verification processes will lead to higher issuing costs and lower issuer and investor confidence. However, international organisations such as the IPSF and the G20's Sustainable Finance Working Group are working towards international alignment and co-ordination to minimise risks and ensure transparency in the sustainable finance market.

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Global Taxonomy Fragmentation

4 mins 27 secs

Key learning objectives:

  • Understand the issues with too many taxonomies

  • Outline some of the international organisations encouraging alignment and standardisation

Overview:

Fragmentation of taxonomies is emerging as a problem due to the different angles and speeds that countries are approaching them with. This is causing issues with competition and inconsistent language, making it difficult for international companies and investors to comply with multiple standards. Some asset managers and owners are drafting their own taxonomies which may further complicate the situation. However, certain international organisations are working on alignment and standardisation to minimise fragmentation and ensure transparency and integrity of sustainable finance markets.

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Summary

Why are too many taxonomies a problem? 

There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to constructing a taxonomy. Things that work well for one country, might not work for another. 

However, the issue with too many taxonomies is fragmentation, as countries are approaching them from different angles and at different speeds. This can potentially lead to taxonomy competition, splintered and inconsistent taxonomies, taxonomies that have divergent end-games, or use different language to define activities, making it difficult for international companies and investors to be omni-compliant without extraordinary effort. 

Multiple verification processes will lead to higher issuing costs and lower issuer and investor confidence. Some large asset managers and asset owners are starting to draft their own taxonomies, muddying the waters even more.

What international organisations are encouraging alignment and standardisation in taxonomy development?

In order to address these issues, international organisations are working to encourage alignment and standardisation in taxonomy development. The Taxonomy Working Group of the International Platform on Sustainable Finance (IPSF) published its second Common Ground Taxonomy report on Climate Change Mitigation in June 2022. The IPSF hopes to improve the interoperability and consistency of taxonomies around the world. Additionally, the International Organisation for Standardisation and the International Sustainability Standards Board are working on sustainability standards and the G20’s Sustainable Finance Working Group is focused on international alignment.

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Keith Mullin

Keith Mullin

Keith is the founder and director of KM Capital Markets, a media and thought-leadership consultancy. He spent the past 35 years working in specialist capital markets media and has had a ring-side seat at all of the major market events. Prior to setting up KM Capital Markets in 2017, Keith worked at Thomson Reuters.

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