RFF December 2022
Convening
The latest edition of the Responsible Finance Forum considers one of the most pressing risks facing low-income and vulnerable populations - climate change. The webinar discusses the connections between responsible finance and climate change and the steps that responsible finance stakeholders can take to help people build resilience to shocks and adapt to changing conditions.
AGENDA
Opening
KEYNOTE
Speaker:
Lyn Javier, Assistant Governor at Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Building upon the history of RFF in tackling critical issues of the day, the opening keynote will introduce climate change, new consumer risks it poses and the role it plays in a responsible financial system.
Part 1
CLIMATE RISKS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
Moderator:
Jane Del Ser, BFA
Speakers:
Lorenzo Chan, Pioneer
Victoria Clause, Mercy Corps AgriFin
Mehr Shah, Karandaaz
The significant risks posed by climate change are already visible in many parts of the world. We will hear from leaders about their experiences with climate change and the risks it poses to firms, as well as the ensuing consumer protection challenges faced by low-income and vulnerable consumers they serve. Firsthand experiences will help ground the discussion and highlight examples of the risks posed to financial service providers and low-income and vulnerable people.
Part 2
ROLE OF RESPONSIBLE FINANCE STAKEHOLDERS
Moderator:
Howard Miller, CFI
Speakers:
Sashi Jayatileke, USAID
Ashley Olson-Onyango, GSMA
Klaus Prochaska, GIZ
Climate-induced shocks and long-term stresses pose new consumer protection challenges for low-income and vulnerable consumers. For sudden shocks, critical financial infrastructure, such as payment systems and mobile and agent networks may become inaccessible, making it impossible for consumers to access their own funds and help from outside. In the longer term, changing conditions create vulnerabilities for both consumers and providers, as livelihoods disappear and frequent shocks create compounding effects that make it difficult for people to recover, let alone build resilience and prosper. How do we prepare to help low-income people manage within this changing context, prevent harm, and buffer people from the impact of climate change? We will hear how stakeholders are preparing to navigate short-term shocks and long-term stresses brought on by climate change, speakers will discuss the unique consumer protection risks that emerge in the context of climate change.
Closing
REFLECTIONS ON PATH FORWARD
Moderator:
Stella Dawson
Speakers:
Mayada El-Zoghbi, CFI
Sophie Sirtaine, CGAP
Pia Tayag, UNSGSA
A moderated closing discussion will reflect on the conversations, highlight the importance of collaboration, speak of a collective vision for the industry and propose a way forward, with a call to action.