The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has founded a sustainable finance lab with the University of Oxford.
Set to launch in autumn 2022, the Oxford Sustainable Finance Lab (OSF Lab) will be a space for Oxford researchers to host and work with practitioners visiting from financial institutions, supervisory authorities, central banks, government departments and civil society organisations.
Its aim is to break down barriers between different parts of the financial system and align finance and investment with global environmental sustainability.
Sacha Sadan (pictured), director of ESG at the FCA, commented: “I’m delighted the FCA’s ESG division will be joining the Sustainable Finance Lab. We’re looking forward to collaborating with ESG practitioners and with researchers to drive forward productive partnerships.
“In a fast-moving and challenging space, positive ESG outcomes will depend on sharing experiences and providing mutual support. This partnership is a great opportunity to contribute and collaborate to the advancement of knowledge in the ESG space, and we are so pleased to participate as a founding member.
Founder of the lab and director of the Oxford Sustainable Finance Group Dr Ben Caldecott added: “The OSF Lab will be safe space to conceive, test and scale urgently needed innovations in sustainable finance, where we will bring together world-class research with innovative practice.
“Without urgent action from across the financial system, we will not be able to achieve net zero, reduce our climate fragility, or rehabilitate the natural world,” he said.
