18 more financial institutions sign the Finance for Biodiversity Pledge
21 May 2021 – Amundi, Aviva Plc, Federal Finance Gestion, Ossiam and Sycomore AM are among 18 new financial institutions that have signed the Finance for Biodiversity Pledge. The celebration of the new signatories was held today during a 25-minute event at the Global Biodiversity Festival.
Philippe Zaouati, the CEO of current Pledge signatory Mirova, welcomed the new signatories. Will McDonald (Director of Sustainability) of Aviva and Clarisse Simonek (Head of Responsible Investment and Sustainability) of Ossiam explained why biodiversity is important for the finance sector and why their organization decided to join the Pledge. The event was moderated by BBC presenter and National Geographic explorer Paul Rose.
55 signatories in total
A total of 55 financial institutions have now signed the Pledge, representing over €9 trillion in total assets and 15 countries. The celebration at the Global Biodiversity Festival marked the third round of signatories to the Pledge, following the launch that featured 26 founding signatories in September 2020 and a second round of 11 signatories at EBNS in December.
Global Biodiversity Festival
The Global Biodiversity Festival is a 72-hour virtual festival featuring scientists, pioneers and conservationists from across the globe that is being held from 20 to 23 May. More than 140 scientists, field workers, conservation leaders, policy makers, economists, explorers and filmmakers, from over 50 countries and all seven continents, shared stories, challenges and innovative solutions.
International Day for Biological Diversity
The celebration of new signatories was held the day before on 22 May at the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB). The United Nations has chosen this day to raise awareness and improve understanding of biodiversity issues.
Another round of signatories in September
A new round of signatories will be held before the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) in September 2021.
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The 55 signatories to the Pledge are (with the 18 new signatories shown in bold):
ABN AMRO, Achmea Investment Management, ACTIAM N.V., Aegon Nederland N.V., Allianz France, Amundi, ASN Bank, ASR Nederland, Aviva Plc, AXA Group, Bank J. Safra Sarasin, Bankinter, Caisse des Dépôts, Change Finance PBC, Domini Impact Investments LLC, DPAM, Edmond de Rothschild AM, Etica Sgr – Responsible Investments, Federal Finance Gestion, First Sentier Investors, Fondaction, HSBC Global Asset Management, International business of Federated Hermes, Jupiter AM, Karner Blue Capital, Klaverblad Verzekeringen, La Financière de l’Echiquier, Legal and General Investment Management (LGIM), Lombard Odier Investment Managers, Mirova, New Forests Pty Ltd, Nia Impact Capital, NN Investment Partners, NWB Bank, ODDO BHF Asset Management, OIP Trust, Ossiam, Piraeus Bank, PKA A/S, Pymwymic Investment Management B.V., Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., Rathbone Greenbank Investments, Resona AM, Robeco, Schelcher Prince Gestion, SCOR SE, Storebrand AM, Swedbank Robur, Sycomore AM, Triodos Bank, Triple Jump, UFF African Agri Investments, Vancity Investment Management, Vert Asset Management and Volksbank.