Leaders to convene at Glasgow for pioneering forum on climate finance

Scotland has long been celebrated for its ambitious climate goals, yet the reality reveals a more complex picture.

According to the Climate Change Committee, Scotland’s 2030 emissions target is now considered “beyond what is credible,” casting doubt on the nation’s ability to achieve its net-zero ambitions. This backdrop of backtracking and wavering commitments highlights an urgent need for action.

While governments bear the legislative and regulatory burdens, the financial sector must step up, aligning business strategies and financing with ESG frameworks to support the transition to a sustainable future. This is not just about meeting targets; it is about ensuring a just transition, empowering consumers, and fostering a culture of accountability.

Innovation, research, and collaboration across sectors must be the bedrock of efforts to tackle climate change. Technology and data, in particular, will play a critical role in building the infrastructure necessary to deliver a sustainable future, enabling businesses and individuals to collaborate in driving the change that is so desperately needed.

Why This Event Matters

The decision to host the FinTech-Tables Climate Collaboration Forum is rooted in a pressing need to address the financial sector's pivotal role in combating climate change. Financial services are uniquely positioned to influence global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, yet the path forward is fraught with challenges.

Recent data underscores the urgency: global investments in sustainable assets reached £27 trillion in 2023, a 15% increase from the previous year, yet this still represents only a fraction of what is needed to meet the Paris Agreement goals. Moreover, a report by the World Economic Forum highlights that over 60% of financial executives believe that their institutions are unprepared for the financial risks posed by climate change.

These figures paint a stark picture of the gap between ambition and action. The FinTech-Tables Climate Collaboration Forum is designed to bridge this gap by encouraging collaboration across industries and disciplines. By bringing together thought leaders and innovators, the event aims to catalyse the systemic changes required to align financial services with global climate objectives.

Ian Davey, founder of Fintech-Tables commented, “The time for talk on climate change is over. It is time to wake up to the climate crisis we face and take action now, driven forward by collaboration across a range of sectors.

“Collaboration can be driven by financial institutions, who have a pivotal role to play in supporting the road to net-zero, through alignment of business decisions and financing with ESG frameworks, by supporting the wider ecosystem to enable a just transition, and by empowering consumers to deliver a more sustainable future.”

Bringing together a diverse range of climate stakeholders, this conference will provide a platform to accelerate collaborative efforts”

A Convergence of Minds

The forum is expected to draw a diverse array of participants, including financial services leaders, FinTech innovators, policymakers, and sustainability experts. Among the notable attendees are senior executives from Mastercard, TSB Bank, NatWest, Barclays, Virgin Money and Bankers for Net-Zero, who will join forces with environmental stakeholders and ClimateTech innovators, to explore how financial technologies can be harnessed to address the existential threat of climate change.

Dr. Fraser Tough, Head of Climate Data Science at NatWest, emphasises the sector’s crucial role:"The financial sector has a collective responsibility to fight climate change. This highlights the need for a climate lending strategy to be devised not only within individual financial institutions themselves but also in the collaborative efforts of the sector at large. The Climate Collaboration Forum provides a unique opportunity to develop such strategies. It’s a space to foster dialogue and partnerships between policymakers and financial institutions that lend to individuals and businesses, leading to tangible action and change."

The agenda is structured to facilitate deep, actionable discussions on critical topics. The day will begin with keynote addresses on the intersection of finance and climate action, followed by sessions focused on the role of data and technology in achieving net-zero targets. Breakout panels will explore themes such as sustainable investment strategies, the future of green finance, and the integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors into core business models. The event will also feature interactive roundtable discussions and a showcase of new market innovations in the ClimateTech space.

A Vision for Sustainable Innovation

As the financial sector grapples with the demands of sustainability, technology and innovation will play a critical role in driving change. This is a sentiment echoed by key stakeholders in the industry. Commenting on the importance of collaboration in this space, David Elliman, Chief of Software Engineering at Zühlke, one of the event’s principal sponsors, commented:

“At Zühlke, we firmly believe that addressing the climate crisis requires a concerted effort across all sectors, with the financial industry playing a pivotal role. Events like the FinTech-Tables Climate Collaboration Forum foster the innovation and partnerships needed to drive sustainable change. By bringing together diverse expertise in finance, technology, and sustainability, we can accelerate the development of solutions that meet regulatory requirements and create long-term value for businesses and society. Our commitment to this forum aligns with our mission to leverage cutting-edge technology to create a more sustainable future. We see immense potential in harnessing AI, blockchain, and data analytics to enhance transparency, improve risk assessment, and catalyse green investments. This gathering is more than just a discussion platform; it's an incubator for the ideas and collaborations that will shape the future of sustainable finance.”

From Dialogue to Action

The importance of this forum cannot be overstated. While climate change discussions are ubiquitous, the FinTech-Tables Climate Collaboration Forum differentiates itself by its emphasis on actionable outcomes. The organisers are keenly aware that time is of the essence; the discussions here are intended to translate into tangible strategies that can be implemented within the financial sector and beyond.

Another critical element of the net-zero journey involves Scotland’s SMEs, which account for 42% of emissions. With over 360,000 small and medium-sized enterprises in the country, the need for inclusive strategies has never been clearer. The founder of non-profit Net Zero Nation, Gavin Tweedie highlights the enthusiasm within this group to be part of the solution:

“With over 360k SMEs in Scotland accounting for 42% of our emissions and over 50% of energy usage, it is imperative we do not leave them behind on the Net Zero Transition. Net Zero Nation has helped hundreds of everyday SMEs create clearly defined pathways towards net zero, resulting in significant emission reductions. It’s only through collaboration and collective learning that we will make the strides forward at the pace that’s needed to tackle climate change."

Given Scotland’s unique position at the forefront of the global climate agenda, this forum offers an opportunity for the country to cement its leadership in sustainable finance. The insights and collaborations forged here could serve as a blueprint for other nations grappling with the dual challenges of economic growth and environmental stewardship.

A Pivotal Moment for Scotland

The FinTech-Tables Climate Collaboration Forum will underscore Scotland’s commitment to a sustainable future. The event aims to bolster a culture of collaboration, where innovation in financial technology is not merely an end in itself but a means to achieve broader societal goals.

By bringing together leaders from across the financial services and technology sectors, the forum seeks to catalyse the systemic change required to meet Scotland’s 2045 net-zero target. The discussions will be rooted in the understanding that financial markets must play a central role in addressing climate risks, not only as stewards of capital but as active participants in shaping a sustainable future.

Secure your Space

The conference is taking place on 10th October. Application to attend is open to anyone working in leadership roles across financial services, climate or sustainability.

Register today to secure your place at this pivotal event and help drive the change needed to meet our global climate goals.