Steering Risk and Governance Through Geopolitical Turbulence

Our Panellists:

Catherine Jacques-Brissette - Senior Advisor, Responsible Investment, Desjardins Global Asset Management
‍Nora Voiculet- GHG Quantification and Management Advisor, Beneva
‍Peter Uhlenbruch- Financial Institutions Engagement Manager, Science Based Targets initiative
‍Pendar Ostovar- Head of Financial Institutions, Impact and Engagement, Science Based Targets initiative
Host: Kelly Hirsch, CFA- President, Kaivalya Research

The discussion will also examine the critical role of company secretaries and governance professionals in helping boards interpret risks, facilitate informed decision-making, and enhance organisational preparedness.

Key Takeaways

The SBTi is no longer only about long-term commitments. The discussion showed how SBTi targets can help financial institutions translate net-zero ambition into measurable near-term action.

1. Financial institutions need a credible framework

SBTi sustainability standards give financial institutions a shared reference point.
+ They help investors avoid vague claims, reduce greenwashing risk and compare progress more consistently across peers.
+For Beneva, SBTi provided: A structure for net-zero implementation and a science-based benchmark
+A way to manage transition risk - and clearer basis for engaging external asset managersa

2. The new standard broadens the scope

The SBTi Financial Institutions Net-Zero Standard goes beyond the earlier near-term framework.

It covers:
+ Lending Asset owner investing
+Asset manager investing
+ Insurance underwriting
+Capital markets activities

This makes it more relevant for complex financial institutions with multiple business lines.

3. Data remains one of the biggest barriers

Both Beneva and Desjardins highlighted data as a major challenge. Portfolio emissions data can be incomplete, inconsistent or delayed. External managers may not always provide the information asset owners need. That makes implementation harder. But the message was clear: Data limitations should not stop action.They should shape a practical, iterative approach.