The latest developments in and around sustainable investing.

Standard Chartered
Standard Chartered in Hong Kong says that it is the first international bank in the world to have signed a pact to promote a “green building” certification programme launched by the World Bank. 

The UK-listed bank has signed a memorandum of understanding to promote the programme, known as EDGE, with the Sintali-SGS consortium, a global certification services provider.

The certification “provides a transparent pathway” for buildings to achieve carbon neutrality from a minimum of achieving 20 per cent or more savings in energy, water and embodied energy in materials to the highest certification level of “zero carbon”, Standard Chartered said in a statement. 

Under the memorandum, Standard Chartered’s clients who are eligible for green financing would be able to enjoy complimentary advisory services from the Sintali-SGS EDGE Expert Partner Network for participating in the EDGE certification. Standard Chartered’s Hong Kong business is registering its two landmark office premises in Central - the Standard Chartered Bank Building and The Forum - for the EDGE certification.