In the financial sector too, attitudes are changing to meet the challenges of sustainable development.
Energy transition
and the social economy are playing a growing role in investors’ strategies, as they seek to integrate extra-financial
extra-financial criteria
into their performance. Major initiatives are underway, notably at European level, to make it easier for investors to identify responsible funds.
Created by the European Commission, the High-Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance (HLEG) is tasked with issuing recommendations to support green investments within the EU. To be included in these green funds, Brussels has selected a list of 67 environmentally-friendly activities from 7 sectors: agriculture, manufacturing, energy, transport, construction and information and communication technologies.
Taking ESG criteria into account
ESG criteria (environmental, social and governance criteria) are at the heart of sustainable finance. Most responsible financial products are inspired by these principles:
- socially responsible investment (SRI),
- sustainable finance,
- green finance, notably through Green Bonds.
ESG criteria make it possible to assess the extra-financial performance of companies from a number of angles, and to measure their actions on a number of very concrete points.
AFNOR offers you a comprehensive guide to the sustainable finance market and the benefits of voluntary standardization in this field, which you can download free of charge.
ENVIRONMENT
waste management, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preventing environmental risks…
SOCIAL
accident prevention, staff training, respect for employee rights, subcontracting chain,
social dialogue…
GOVERNANCE
independence of the board of directors, management structure, audit committee
accounts…
AFNOR Certification is accredited by the French Ministry of Ecological Transition and Solidarity to deliver
the Greenfin label
label, formerly the TEEC label, and the
SRI label
label issued by the French Ministry of Finance. These labels distinguish funds that focus on green or socially responsible investment, based on transparent and sustainable practices. They are a guarantee of confidence for all investors wishing to commit to a responsible approach.
