Workshop on "The Role of Financial Institutions in GX Promotion and Transition Finance" to be Held on June 4

The Environment and Law Unit of the Center for Law and Policy Studies at Kyoto University, in collaboration with the Climate Bonds Initiative and the GX Promotion Organization, will hold a workshop in Tokyo on Thursday, June 4, 2026, on the theme of "The Role of Financial Institutions in GX Promotion and Transition Finance." This event is part of a decarbonization law and policy research project centered at Kyoto University. It aims to re-examine Green Transformation (GX) from a financial and investment perspective, moving beyond traditional regulatory-focused discussions, to debate future institutional design and practical directions. As global efforts toward carbon neutrality accelerate, the role of finance in supporting the transition to a decarbonized society is rapidly gaining importance. Key issues at the intersection of policy, finance, and corporate practice include "transition finance" to support the shift of companies and industries, "green finance standards and certification" to ensure the appropriateness of investments, and "avoiding greenwashing" to secure trust from investors and society. This workshop will feature experts from financial practice, the legal system, and policy research to facilitate a cross-disciplinary discussion on these topics, blending academic and practical insights. Emphasizing the value of in-person interaction, the event is also positioned as a networking opportunity to connect speakers, practitioners, and researchers. Background: To advance Green Transformation (GX), it is crucial not only to promote investment in renewable energy and decarbonization technologies but also to design financing mechanisms and institutional frameworks that support the gradual transition of existing industries. However, many challenges have been identified, including the development of evaluation criteria and certification systems for investment decisions and ensuring the credibility of ESG investments. Furthermore, the issue of "greenwashing," where environmental claims are made without substantive action, is gaining attention both domestically and internationally. This event will address these challenges from both legal/policy and financial perspectives to discuss the role of financial institutions in promoting GX and its future direction. Program (Tentative) Session (15:00–17:00) ① "GX Promotion and the Role of Financial Institutions" by Mr. Hideki Takada (Director, GX Promotion Organization) ② "The Importance of Green Finance Standards and Certification" by Ms. Yumiko Watanabe (Japan Head, Climate Bonds Initiative) ③ "Legal and Practical Issues in Avoiding Greenwashing" by Mr. Shunta Toki (Attorney-at-Law / Environment and Law Unit, Kyoto University) ④ Discussion & Comments by Prof. Yu Umemura (Professor, Faculty of Law, Sophia University) Networking (17:00–18:00) A networking session is planned for speakers and participants. We aim to create a space for interaction among participants from diverse fields such as financial institutions, corporations, legal practitioners, and researchers. Event Details: [Event Name] The Role of Financial Institutions in GX Promotion and Transition Finance [Date & Time] Thursday, June 4, 2026, 15:00–18:00 [Venue] EGG (Shin-Marunouchi Building 10F (Reception), 1-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) [Format] In-person [Organizer] Environment and Law Unit, Center for Law and Policy Studies, Kyoto University [In collaboration with] GX Promotion Organization, Climate Bonds Initiative [In cooperation with] Climate and Energy Transition Research Unit, Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo [Target Audience] - Financial institutions (banks, securities, asset management, etc.) - Investors and fund managers - Corporate sustainability and finance departments - Legal practitioners - Researchers and students *Program content may be subject to change. To participate, please register using the form below. [Registration Form] https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScpkZc8D2Gy9vmpyjTn2urNKU9uDt5MBpTYBZV9VltY1RH7LQ/viewform?usp=dialog [About the Networking Reception] Participation in the networking reception, scheduled from 17:00 to 18:00, is optional. A fee is planned for participation, but the amount is currently under review and will be announced once confirmed. We hope you will use this opportunity for networking with fellow participants and for exchanging opinions with speakers, practitioners, and researchers. ―――――――― Contact Information: Environment and Law Unit, Center for Law and Policy Studies, Kyoto University environment.law.kyoto@gmail.com