UK will be the world’s first net zero financial centre

The Chancellor has set out the UK’s plans to become the world’s first net zero aligned financial centre and welcome “historic” climate commitments from private companies covering $130 trillion of financial assets at COP26.*

Over $130 trillion – 40% of the world’s financial assets – will now be aligned with the climate goals in the Paris Agreement, thanks to climate commitments from financial services firms.

New UK climate finance projects funded from the UK’s international climate finance commitment will help developing countries to fund green growth and adapt to the changing climate.

These commitments will help to create a huge pool of cash that could fund the net zero transition, including the move away from coal, the shift to electric cars, and the planting of more trees.

Under the proposals, there will be new requirements for UK financial institutions and listed companies to publish net zero transition plans that detail how they will adapt and decarbonise as the UK moves towards a net zero economy by 2050.

To guard against greenwashing, a science-based ‘gold standard’ for transition plans will be drawn up by a new Transition Plan Taskforce, composed of industry and academic leaders, regulators, and civil society groups.

These commitments come from over 450 firms from all parts of the financial industry, based in 45 countries across six continents, and have been delivered through the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), which was launched by the UK to harness the power of the financial sector in the transition to net zero.

The UK has convened over 30 advanced and developing countries from across 6 continents and representing over 70% of global GDP to back the creation of a new global climate reporting standards by the IFRS Foundation to give investors the information they need to fund net zero.

As one of the world’s global financial centres, the UK remains open and ready for business. Our dedicated Entrepreneur Support Team at Beavis Morgan advises businesses across a range of sectors looking for assistance in starting up, fundraising and investment, and advice on business growth and development. In doing so, we also help to navigate the maze of often complex tax issues.
Our specialist services also include identifying business opportunities for overseas investors looking to enter the UK market – and we provide a comprehensive range of professional services to help you make the most of your investment in the UK.

Contact Paul Ashton for further information about how we can help you secure the right investment opportunity in the UK, or email info@beavismorgan.com.

*See: Fact Sheet: Net Zero-aligned Financial Centre – GOV.UK