Guernsey Press

Island well placed for green finance demand

GUERNSEY is ‘well placed’ when it comes to growing demand for green finance, according to an expert.

Published
EY assurance associate partner Peter Miller.

EY assurance associate partner Peter Miller gave the upbeat assessment after the firm published research showing that 56% of merger and acquisition deals in the global power and utilities market were in the renewables sector.

The report also highlighted a positive outlook for renewable energy transactions. The clean energy market is expected to continue to grow and attract investment from a variety of stakeholders, including strategic investors, financial sponsors, corporations and government.

Furthermore, corporations are setting their own renewable targets, with more than 150 companies pledging to use 100% renewable energy by 2050 and government applying pressure worldwide by implementing clean energy policies.

‘There is no doubting the increased interest from global investors in green and sustainable finance. The statistics from the report are deafening that renewables provide significant opportunities and capital investment,’ said Mr Miller.

‘Guernsey has made positive steps to leverage the opportunities presented by securing its position as a leading global centre for green and sustainable finance.

‘Most notably, last year it launched the world’s first regulated green investment fund product. The product is essentially a kite mark providing investors certainty that 75% of the fund’s investments are allocated in certified green assets.

‘As a result, at EY we have received enquiries to provide third party certification that funds meet the Guernsey Green Fund rules and third-party certification that funds comply with The International Stock Exchange’s Tise Green segment’s criteria.’

He added: ‘Our global colleagues are seeing an increase in investors and fund managers alike seeking green finance opportunities.

‘Guernsey is very well placed to support them in leveraging these opportunities from the island’s growing expertise and innovative product offerings.’