FCA targets climate change and green finance transparency with new guidelines
'Form a basis for future work'
The investment sector is set to become more transparent amid new green business initiatives as part of the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) proposed climate change disclosure guidelines.
Company disclosures around climate change and regulated firms' green business risks and opportunities will be closely scrutinised under the financial watchdog's new proposals.
The FCA has published a feedback statement setting out its new proposals to improve levels of company transparency and quality of information to consumers around climate change.
The FCA chief executive Andrew Bailey said the statement would form a basis of the FCA's future work on climate change and green finance.
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"We have an important role to play in creating an environment where firms can manage the risks from moving to a greener economy and capture the opportunities to benefit consumers," he said.
"This feedback statement is the next step in our drive to provide clarity for firms and consumers about how our work will help support the response to the climate challenge and the development of the green finance market."
The FCA will consult on new rules to improve climate change-related disclosures and clarify existing obligations of firms.
It will also finalise rule changes requiring oversight by governance committees on environmental and social governance and stewardship policies and rule changes to facilitate long-term investments.
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The FCA's expectations around consumers' access to green financial products and services will also be clarified and the watchdog said it would take action to prevent consumers being misled.
This story initially appeared on sister publication Professional Adviser.
