20250205 | Financing climate transition: Pension funds as leverage?

Beeldje voor event

5 February 2025 | 09h30 – 15h30 | Pacheco Center | Finance tower | Bd Pacheco 13, 1000 Brussels

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES

Second-pillar pension funds and group insurance, as well as bank and insurance third-pillar pension products can play an important role in sustainable investment, as they are less exposed than other investors to short-term return requirements. At the same time, climate change is expected to generate major risks to financial stability, especially beyond 2030, which will be of particular concern to long-term investors.

As part of the energy agreement of 18 March 2022, the Federal government decided to examine the possibilities of gradually eliminating fossil fuel investments in the 2nd and 3rd pension pillars, in consultation with the financial sector, the FSMA and the NBB.

The aim of the seminar is to provide you with information on the European regulatory and prudential framework, and the work being done to improve the way in which pension funds and pension insurance products take account of climate risks.

The investment strategies that pension funds and their beneficiaries can already use to better finance the transition, and the ways in which public authorities can support them, will also be discussed.

 

DRAFT PROGRAMME AND SPEAKERS

The prudential approach to climate risks for pension funds and pension insurance products

  • Sustainability requirements applicable to Belgian pension funds | Henk BECQUAERT (FSMA)
  • EIOPA’s work in progress | Jérôme BOURTEMBOURG (National Bank of Belgium)
  • How can we help pension funds prepare for the economic and financial effects of climate change? | Thierry PHILIPPONNAT (Finance Watch),  Tilman LUEDER (European Commission, DG FISMA)

What sustainable investment strategies could Belgian pension funds adopt?

  • The climate policy of the ABP pension fund in the Netherlands | Asha KHOENKHOEN (ABP) (TBC)
  • How are pension institutions managing pension funds in Belgium today and what are their possible options for financing the climate transition? | Ann VERLINDEN (PensioPlus)
  • How can sustainable investment strategies be reconciled with the social role of insurers in Belgium? | Alain FLAS, Chief Sustainability officer (P&V INSURANCE)
  • Sustainable pension savings in Belgium: new trends and perspectives | Sophie BRASSINNE DE LA BUISSIERE (Forum Ethibel)
  • The potential role of funds for the 2d and 3d pillars in impact finance in Belgium | Steven SERNEELS (Impact Finance Belgium)
  • Can investments in fossil fuels be excluded in the second and third pillar pensions in Belgium? | Yenthe PEETERS (FPS Public Health, Safety of the Food Chain and Environment)

 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

  • The seminar will take place on 5 February 2025 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.
  • Lunch will be served at 12 pm.
  • This is an in person seminar.
  • The seminar will be conducted in EN, FR and NL.
  • Participation is free, but you are required to register in advance via this link: https://forms.office.com/e/pMJNKrjy97?origin=lprLink
  • It will not be possible to follow the seminar online. The presentations will be published on the FRDO-CFDD website.
  • If you have any questions about the content of the seminar, please contact Nathalie.Boucquey@frdo-cfdd.be
  • If you have any practical questions, please contact Sven.Vermassen@frdo-cfdd.be

Comments, questions or suggestions?