Can central banks save the planet?

““We are not going to lead our society to a low-carbon economy by continuing to finance the status quo. “

Central bankers now seem keen to take on responsibility for policy objectives they have previously shied away from – in particular, tackling climate change. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde acknowledged in January that central bankers will have to look beyond their traditional duties to address the challenge. ECB Executive Board Member Isabel Schnabel said in September 2020 that central banks should be an active part of the collective effort to reduce carbon emissions. Executive Board Member Fabio Panetta said ECB analysis can help make climate-risk valuations more accurate.

Should central banks continue accommodating corporate bonds and bank loans of high carbon companies as collateral, or should they reduce them?”