A research project investigating the topic of Transition in detail, more specifically that of brown industries, with the aim of providing definition, assessment methods as well as exploring relevant financing tools.
Climate finance will fail in its mission if it continues to leave high emitting industries on its sidelines but a robust approach is necessary. During the whole of 2019, Natixis Green & Sustainable Hub has been developing an in-house methodology fed by market intelligence, investor survey and dialogue with issuers, SPOs providers and think tanks. This product-oriented methodology aims at accompanying companies in the funding of their transition or investors in identifying compelling transition opportunities.
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Climate finance needs a two-leg approach: a green one, in synch with a transition one
Neither the world economy nor high-emitting companies are aligned on a below 2°C temperature increase trajectory. In fact, scientists tell us that we are heading towards a scenario well above 3°C. Our conviction is that Climate Finance will fail on its mission if it continues to leave high emitting industries on its sidelines.
We believe the transition of brown industries is a tightrope because a balance must be found between green puritanism, which condemns us to a niche and excludes the firms where the lion’s share of CO2 emissions lies, and transition leniency, which accommodates minor improvements, immaterial progression, and locks CO2 in the economy. This balance is likely to be reached through the simultaneous development of Green and Transition financing, though the latter needs definition, governance, products to ensure both its efficiency and integrity.
Natixis is committed to this transition journey
Last September, Natixis launched its Green Weighting Factor (GWF) to facilitate the transition of its own balance sheet. The GWF is an internal mechanism that adjusts analytical capital allocation based on the degree of sustainability of each financing. However, the transitioning of our balance sheet is dependent on the transition of our clients themselves, especially those from predominantly brown sectors. Being a reliable partner in this journey is therefore mission-critical for us.
During the whole of 2019, we have been collecting market intelligence and designing an in-house methodology to frame and accompany a meaningful transition. We conducted an investor survey answered by 75 participants totaling $9 tn of AuM. 75% are willing to invest in such transition. They are open to new holistic products, including KPI-linked bonds - although it is a nascent market - if trust is established regarding KPIs selection & calibration. We interviewed protagonists from investment firms, think tanks, external reviewers (SPOs providers), international organizations or unions to enlighten and strengthen our approach.
Our methodology frames a change management model that differentiates brown companies into groups depending on whether they need to transform, shrink or shut down. Using case studies, we examined how the 5 transition levers we identified were actioned by companies across the mining, cement, shipping, and oil and gas sectors (e.g. Rio Tinto, Lafarge Holcim, Maersk, Ørsted, Total, Engie, Neste). We also identified eligibility pre-requisites to be able to draw red-lines and provide structuring guidance for transition finance instruments. We believe that KPI-linked instruments are best suited for transition because of their “skin in the game”, material, holistic and forward-looking features.
FORTHCOMING PUBLICATIONS
In 2019, we conducted a global investor survey on the "transitioning of brown industries". It originates from the debate around the role and eligibility of high-emitting industries to climate finance and more specifically to the green bond market. It was held online between March 2019 and November 2019. We collected 75 responses from individuals working for firms totaling $9 trillion of AuM. It aimed a identifying investors' appetite and redlines when it comes to investing in brown industries' transition. That involved questioning what transition could mean, how to measure it and accordingly structure meaningful products.
NATURAL CAPITAL FINANCE ROLE IN THE TRANSITION
"Nature-based solutions are gathering momentum and appear to be at a similar stage as renewable energies were 15 years ago.
Capital markets start to discover its unraveling potential and benefits."
"THE INSTRUMENTAL ROLE OF INDUSTRY DECARBONIZATION IN IEA'S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SCENARIO"
"The majority of the overall emissions savings (i.e. process and energy-related) are from the production of cement, iron and steel and petrochemicals; energy-intensive industries that together account for around two-thirds of total industry sector CO2 emissions today."
Cédric Merle
Head of Center of Expertise & Innovation,
Green & Sustainable Hub, Natixis
Orith Azoulay
Global Head of Green & Sustainable Finance
Managing Director,
Natixis