Natixis CIB hosts flagship ESG Forum in Japan

This year in its second iteration, the Forum aims to provide clients with the most comprehensive view of critical ESG issues facing the financial services industry globally, and in Japan. Transition Finance – which bridges the gap between traditional and sustainable financing for businesses on the journey to net zero – was a key area of interest for participants.

Bruno Le Saint, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific, at Natixis CIB, said: “We are pleased to have brought together such high-caliber speakers, and we are confident that our clients gained fresh perspectives about the latest ESG developments in capital markets.”

Makito Nagahiro, Senior Country Manager, Japan for Natixis CIB, added: “We are excited to have held this Forum in Japan, where there has been tremendous growth in demand for ESG and green financing instruments since 2017. Japan is at the forefront of sustainable finance in Asia Pacific and the Japanese government is particularly supportive of the development of transition finance, a key factor required for the country to reach net zero by 2050.”

In addition to Mr. Le Saint, Mr. Nagahiro, and Ms. Yamada, who presented the keynote speech, the panelists at the event included:  

• Mr. Kosuke Kanematsu, Associate Director, Corporate Solutions, Sustainalytics
• Mr. Yasutoshi Miyamoto, General Manager, ESG Investment Strategy Office, Nippon Life Insurance Company
• Mr. Tetsushi Onishi, Global Co-Head of Treasury & Forex Division, Global Investments, the Norinchukin Bank
• Mr. Wataru Osada, Managing Director, Deputy Head of Sustainable Business Division, MUFG Bank
• Mr. Sadashi Yabuki, General Manager, Corporate Finance Unit, Global Finance Group, JERA
• Mr. Olivier Ménard, Head of Green & Sustainable Hub, Asia Pacific, Natixis CIB
• Ms. Hong My Nguyen, Head of Green and Sustainable Investment Solutions, Natixis CIB

Natixis CIB has a long history as a pioneer in green and sustainable finance, innovating constantly in its product offering, organization, and methodology to push forward the boundaries of the sector. As part of Groupe BPCE, the second largest banking group in France, the bank places Climate, Environment, Sustainable and Social commitments as a key strategic priority globally. The bank is committed to aligning its corporate financing portfolios with a carbon neutrality path by 2050, while helping clients to reduce the environmental impact of their businesses. In pursuit of this target, in 2019 Natixis CIB implemented its proprietary Green Weighting Factor, an innovative mechanism that links the bank’s analytical capital allocation to the degree of climate and environmental performance of each financing, enabling it to actively manage and steer its balance sheet’s climate impact and transition strategy.

Natixis CIB aims to be the go-to financial partner in the energy transition strategies of its clients in Japan and across the globe. The bank has a long-term commitment to Japan, founded on an operating history of nearly 30 years in the country, and enshrined in the bank’s strategic plan that prioritizes Japan as part of an ongoing internationalization of Natixis CIB’s business. The bank serves companies, institutional investors, insurers, banks and public-sector organizations, leveraging Natixis CIB's broad international expertise, and the strength of Groupe BPCE.