Kate Forbes

Set up at the end of February, the task force brings together the Scottish financial sector, professional services firms and regulatory bodies to build on the legacy of COP26 in Glasgow. The task force will develop an action plan to build on Scotland’s existing strengths and cement our position as a competitive global hub in the fast growing green and sustainable financial services sector.

Ms Forbes said: “This taskforce will be instrumental in helping to identify the next steps that will develop Scotland into a leading hub for green and sustainable financial services.

“The Scottish Government is committed to reaching our ambitious climate change targets and responding to the Global Climate Emergency which is a truly national endeavour. We must all play our part to contribute to the transition and deliver the change that we need. This taskforce will provide leadership by setting out the practical steps we must take to deliver on the aims of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net-Zero, whilst supporting our hugely successful financial service industry to adapt and thrive.”

She added: “Our recently published National Strategy for Economic Transformation sets out how the transition to net zero is not just an environmental imperative but an economic opportunity. Green and Sustainable Financial Services is a market where Scotland can be genuinely globally competitive, but only if we plan for future success, seize first-mover advantage and leverage all our talent, institutions and sectors behind our shared goal.”