TOKYO -- Leading European banks are going on an offensive in the market for sustainable financing, particularly in Asia, seeking to boost business opportunities on the assumption that almost all financial assets will be linked to environmental, social and corporate government best practice in 10 years' time.
This quest is prompting banks in Europe, where regulation surrounding carbon emissions is increasingly strict, to educate their employees on ESG and proactively tap demand among companies planning to issue environmental bonds and other securities. As there are particular moves to capitalize on the rapid growth of Asian markets, a region where emissions are also still high, Japanese banks need to be poised to act accordingly.
