Canada has the longest coastline in the world, the fourth largest ocean territory, and vast marine ecosystem. One in five Canadians live in coastal communities and Canada’s ocean industries generate over $30 billion annually. The potential of the Blue Economy is great. The challenge is to find sustainable, socially responsible and inclusive financing solutions to maximize its potential.
Enter blue bonds.
The sustainable bond market has experienced significant growth over the last decade in Canada and elsewhere, with much of the focus on green bonds. While a nascent market today, blue bonds are an emerging area of sustainable finance and could support projects focused on the Blue Economy – coastal climate adaptation and resilience; marine ecosystem management, conservation and restoration; sustainable coastal and marine tourism; sustainable marine value chains; marine renewable energy; marine pollution; sustainable ports; and sustainable marine transport.
Canada has world leading financial institutions and a strong capacity for financial innovation. We are strongly positioned to succeed in the fast-growing Blue Economy.
Moderator
Sue McNamara
Senior Vice President, Fixed Income
Head – Responsible Investing, Beutel, Goodman & Company Ltd.
Speakers
Bruce Dudley
Senior Vice President – Strategy & Innovation
The Delphi Group
Siddharth Samarth
Managing Director & Head – Sustainable Finance
CIBC Capital Markets
Michael Summers
Portfolio Specialist
T. Rowe Price, Inc.
John Uhren
Managing Director – Sustainable Finance
BMO Capital Markets