News & events

Paris, December 5, 2024

In a strategic move for the French sustainable finance ecosystem, 2° Investing Initiative (2DII) and the Sustainable Finance Observatory (The Observatory) have officially joined forces to create a unified organization aimed at driving systemic change in global finance. This gathering brings together two well-known organizations with complementary expertise, forging a stronger, collective voice to advance sustainable finance practices worldwide.

The new organization will operate under the name Sustainable Finance Observatory and will focus its activities on three core pillars: Transparency and Data, a Research Center, and Advocacy and Awareness. These pillars will guide its efforts to influence policy, foster accountability, and empower financial institutions and stakeholders with concrete solutions to embrace sustainability.

The mission and organization of the Observatory will remain within the new structure, which will be a member of the PARC Foundation, created by the Louis Bachelier Institute. This will ensure the continuation of the strong link established in 2024 with the Scientific and Expertise Committee, which validates the Observatory's research program.

ADEME, a long-standing partner and key supporter, has reaffirmed its commitment to the new Sustainable Finance Observatory. This ongoing support underscores the shared ambition to deepen the impact of sustainable finance initiatives across France and beyond.

A New Chapter and an Ambitious Agenda

As a unified entity, the organization is setting its sights on ambitious goals, including:

• Expanding transparency: Strengthening its presence in Europe and abroad and building partnerships to drive impact and transparency on a global scale.
• Developing Concrete Solutions: Offering practical tools and frameworks to accelerate the transition of financial institutions and economic systems toward sustainability.
• Fostering Systemic Change: Engaging with other think tanks and academics, financial institutions, enterprises, policymakers, NGOs, and civil society to create impactful, long-term solutions for aligning financial flows with climate and societal objectives.

Join Us for a Milestone Event

To celebrate this acceleration and mark the beginning of a new chapter, the new organization invites journalists and stakeholders to the event "Rethink Sustainable Finance Together!" on December 10, 2024, at 5.30 PM at the Cercle d'Aumale in Paris. This landmark gathering will welcome partners of the associations for keynote presentations of different initiatives, feature inspiring discussions, key strategic announcements, and the unveiling of an ambitious vision for the future of the Observatory.

Bertrand Badré, Chairman of the Paris Agreement Research Commons (PARC), highlighted the broader implications:

“I am thrilled to witness the remarkable strides in the internationalization of the Sustainable Finance Observatory, now bolstered by the unparalleled expertise of 2DII’s teams. This union is a testament to the power of our foundation, PARC, in driving sustainable finance forward on an international scale, a strong signal in challenging times!”

Corinne Lepage, President of the Board of 2DII, emphasized the strategic importance of this union:

“The gathering of 2° Investing Initiative and the Sustainable Finance Observatory represents a significant milestone in the evolution of sustainable finance. By uniting our efforts, we are better positioned to empower financial institutions and policymakers with the tools and knowledge needed to meet the pressing challenges of climate change and social justice”

Raphaël Lebel, Managing Director of the Sustainable Finance Observatory, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership:

“After a pivotal year of transition, I am proud to see the Observatory firmly positioned to fulfill its mission with renewed strength and clarity. Together with an expert team and the active support of over forty engaged members, we are redefining the role of sustainable finance as a driver of tangible transformation—for society, for citizens, for nature, and as a concrete tool for institutions. I invite all stakeholders to join this forward-looking transparency initiative and help rethink the financial model for a sustainable society! ”

About 2° Investing Initiative

Founded in 2012, 2° Investing Initiative (2DII) is a leading think tank dedicated to aligning financial markets with climate goals. Known for pioneering the concept of portfolio alignment and tools like the PACTA methodology, 2DII has collaborated with regulators, policymakers, and financial institutions worldwide. Its work spans policy innovation, climate scenario analysis, and empowering retail investors through initiatives like MyFairMoney, driving systemic change for a sustainable financial future.

About the Sustainable Finance Observatory

Launched in 2019 by the French Minister of Economy and Finance, the Observatory is an independent initiative whose mission is to promote transparency on the financial sector's contribution to the transition to a sustainable and resilient economy compatible with the Paris Agreement. For 5 years, the Observatory has monitored the climate commitments of French financial institutions and disclosed the fossil fuel exposure of the Paris financial centre. The Observatory has developed the Net-Zero Donut®, a holistic and visual tool to monitor and evaluate the net-zero commitments of financial institutions, based on a robust and sourced methodology. In 2024, he joined the PARC Foundation to internationalise his activities.