The EU's incoming sustainable finance disclosure regulations and taxonomy framework are part of the European Green Deal, first laid out by EC President Ursula Von der Leyen in December 2019. (Keystone/ EPA/Olivier Hoslet)

📜 Where do SDGs fit into new EU green finance rules? As new EU disclosure regulations await the finance industry, Geneva-based adviser Ground_Up Project explains how the sustainable development goals align with the rules.

🌱 📈 Swiss stock exchange launches sustainability index - but can it convince? SIX has developed a series of stock market and bond indices that meet ESG criteria, however, many experts question their usefulness.

🌍 💰 Credit Suisse says quick climate wins may reduce investor impact. A new report revealed reducing a portfolio’s carbon footprint does not necessarily lead to lower greenhouse-gas emissions.

This chart shows CO2 from ships vs emissions from national car fleets in 2019 (million tons) (Source: Statista)

🚢 Trouble at sea. Shipping accounts for roughly three per cent of global carbon emissions, which puts it about on the same level as an entire country, such as Germany or Japan, as an emitter, says the World Economic Forum in the latest episode of its podcast “House on Fire”, with emissions expected to rise by 250 per cent in the next 30 years if no action is taken. Failure to meet an industry-wide goal of halving emission levels by 2020 relative to 2008 levels is not an option, say experts on the show.

18 February | Impact of Brexit on international Geneva organisations and its employees. This session aims to clarify the rules in force for British people employed by NGOs as well as the procedures to be followed by NGOs wishing to recruit British citizens.

25 February | Managing ESG risks and the rise of ESG litigation Organisations are facing heightened conduct and litigation risks related to ESG performance, which this webinar looks to address.

♳ More effective trade policies could go a long way in reducing plastic waste. That's according to a research paper released last week by UNCTAD. It notes that exports of primary, intermediate, and final forms of plastics amounted to more than $1 trillion in 2018 - nearly 40 per cent higher than previous estimates on the trade in plastics.