Financed Emissions

Environmental
:   
Financing
May 5, 2025

Scope3 financed emissions refer to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a company's investments, lending, and financial activities. This includes emissions from:

  1. Loans: Emissions from companies or projects financed through loans.
  2. Investments: Emissions from companies or projects financed through equity or debt investments.
  3. Underwriting: Emissions from insurance underwriting activities.

Financial institutions, such as banks and insurers, have a critical role in influencing the transition to a low-carbon economy. By understanding and managing their Scope3 financed emissions, they can:

  1. Reduce climate risk: Minimize the risks associated with climate change and regulatory action.
  2. Improve ESG performance: Enhance their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.
  3. Support sustainable finance: Encourage sustainable finance practices and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Emissions Allocation:

Emissions allocation is the process of assigning emissions to a specific lender or investor based on their exposure to a portfolio company's emissions. This involves:

  1. Identifying emissions data: Obtaining emissions data from the portfolio company.
  2. Determining exposure: Calculating the lender's or investor's exposure to the portfolio company's emissions.
  3. Allocating emissions: Assigning emissions to the lender or investor based on their exposure.

Emissions allocation methods include:

  1. Proportional allocation: Allocating emissions based on the lender's or investor's proportion of exposure to the portfolio company's debt or equity.
  2. Risk-weighted allocation: Allocating emissions based on the lender's or investor's risk-weighted exposure to the portfolio company.
  3. Emissions intensity-based allocation: Allocating emissions based on the emissions intensity of the specific debt instrument or investment.

Accurate emissions allocation requires:

  1. High-quality emissions data: Reliable and detailed emissions data from the portfolio company.
  2. Transparent allocation methods: Clear and consistent allocation methods that reflect the lender's or investor's exposure.
  3. Regular monitoring and reporting: Ongoing monitoring and reporting to ensure accurate and up-to-date emissions allocation.

By understanding Scope3 financed emissions and emissions allocation, financial institutions can make informed decisions to manage climate risk, improve ESG performance, and support sustainable finance practices.

The Global GHG Accounting and Reporting Standard for the Financial Industry

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