GVA participated at the IIGCC workshop on Energy Efficiency Finance in London May 15, 2014

Green Value Associates (GVA) participated at the recent Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) workshop on Energy Efficiency Finance. The workshop took place on 15 May in London and was hosted by Hermes.

This was an invitation only session to analyse the interim report of IIGCC on “How to drive new finance for energy efficiency investments”. During the session, the potential for energy efficiency was highlighted as a key driver of EU economic value, innovation and employment across Europe. The attendees (property managers, asset owners, advisors and policy makers) discussed on the financial instruments required to scale up energy efficiency investments.

About “Energy efficiency investment: Constructing a better market”

IIGCC, UNEP FI and RICS recently contributed to a stakeholder group convened by EC DG Energy to look at the ways to unlock the investment potential from energy efficiency refurbishment of buildings. IIGCC hosted a workshop to gather critical feedback on how to increase the appetite for energy efficiency investments in the buildings sector.

Download the interim report of the group: "Energy Efficiency - the first fuel for the EU Economy. How to drive new finance for energy efficiency investments".

About the Energy Efficiency Financial Institutions Group (“EEFIG”)

The EEFIG was established as a permanent working group by the European Commission, in late 2013, as a result of the dialogue between Directorate-General for Energy (“DG Energy”) and United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (“UNEP FI”), as both institutions were engaging with financial institutions to determine how to overcome the well documented challenges inherent to obtaining long-term financing for energy efficiency.

The membership of EEFIG is comprised of 51 individuals drawn from the following organizations:

- Public and private financial institutions (banks, investors, insurers etc.);
- Banking associations and investor groups;
- Energy efficiency industry experts;
- Energy efficiency services representatives;
- Civil society experts representing diverse energy efficiency stakeholder groups;
- European Commission; and
- UNEP FI.

EEFIG is supported by Climate Strategy and Partners (www.climatestrategy.com) which was contracted to support the coordination and drafting of this report on behalf of EEFIG and whose Chief Executive is also a member of the group. EEFIG meetings are convened and chaired by DG Energy.

About the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC)

The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) is a forum for collaboration on climate change for investors. IIGCC provides investors with a collaborative platform to encourage public policies, investment practices, and corporate behaviour that address long-term risks and opportunities associated with climate change.

IIGCC pursues its mission through two strategic objectives:

1. Changing market signals by encouraging the adoption of strong and credible public policy solutions that ensure an orderly and efficient move to a low carbon economy, as well as measures for adaptation.
2. Informing investment practices to preserve and enhance long-term investment values.

​IIGCC currently has over 80 members, from 9 countries, representing around €7.5 trillion in assets. Our network benefits from active participation from some of the largest pension funds and asset managers in Europe and is continually growing.