LEADING members of Scotland’s financial services industry today shared their vision for investment in a greener future with The Duke of Rothesay. Prince Charles is a long-time campaigner on issues to do with global warming and has recently challenged business to tackle the issue with his “Sustainable Markets Initiative”.
The initiative brings together leaders from a number of the largest and most influential global businesses who, as a group, are trying to accelerate the transition towards a more resilient and sustainable future, putting nature, people and planet at the heart of the economy.
SFE is the membership body for financial services in Scotland and we have a clear ambition to seize the initiative and create a centre of world leading green finance. The hosting of COP26 in Scotland provides a unique opportunity for our industry to be a strong advocate and facilitator of meeting net zero targets.
The financial services industry is the biggest contributor to Scotland’s economy employing 160,000 people and representing over £13 billion of gross value added (GVA).
The event was held at Bank of Scotland’s offices at the Mound, Edinburgh, where His Royal Highness was greeted by SFE Chief Executive Sandy Begbie CBE and SFE Chairman Philip Grant. It was attended by Scottish insurance and financial services leaders.
SFE Chairman Philip Grant commented: “It was an honour to host His Royal Highness The Duke of Rothesay today. His passion for the environment and tackling climate change is well known and resonates strongly with SFE and its members. Today’s conversation allowed us to identify a number of new avenues to achieve our shared ambitions.”
SFE Chief Executive Sandy Begbie CBE commented: “Scotland has a well-established and internationally recognised financial services industry which is motivated to play a role, both locally and globally, in the race to net zero. The Sustainable Markets Initiative is an important part of this process and I’m very focussed that SFE and its members continue to do all we can to support a more sustainable and resilient future.”
