Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Finance (ICSF22)

Abstract

Sustainable investment is experiencing a boom characterized by high growth rates in activity and firm support from investors and issuers, even under the uncertainty derived from the COVID19 pandemic. Simultaneously, a lot of regulation related to climate change and sustainable principles is being developed, which is also directly affecting the financial sector. This environment implies changes in the business model of companies, meaning that the entire value chain is progressively integrating ESG objectives. This fact emphasizes the importance of environmental risks, as well as social and governance issues, in order to properly manage them and ensure the necessary balance. Importantly, the transition towards a sustainable economy, which considers the reduction of environmental damage and translates into positive effects on the environment and climate, requires large investments and innovation in infrastructure, as well as greater progress in the development of analytical tools that allow a better evaluation of specific financing projects. Furthermore, apart from policies promoting renewable energies and other sustainable investments, it should be noted that transport accounts for almost one third of the European Union's greenhouse gas emissions and that the decarbonization of the mobility sector is one of its main objectives. Therefore, in addition to important topics directly related to sustainability, such as ESG, green financing, operational risks or renewables, the conference has specific sessions on infrastructure management and financing such as transport. Hence, ICSF22 aims to analyze investment and financing policies that account for the ESG factors of economic activity and investments. In this framework, the conference discussed research on ESG, renewable energies and their impact on economic growth, the financing of the transition to a green economy through innovative financial mechanisms such as green bonds, the financing of renewable energy, transport and other essential infrastructures, the management of environmental, social and governance risks, among other related topics. There was also a debate on the implementation of these issues in the curricula of higher degree students. Remarkably, sustainable finance is being strongly promoted at the institutional, scientific, and academic levels. On this basis, the challenge of this Conference is both to create a forum for the discussion of changes and trends in this context, as well as to promote the exchange and dissemination of scientific knowledge in research on sustainable economics, green finance and infrastructure development.