Page 307 - 2019 6th AFIS & ASMMA
P. 307

» Panelist  |  Luca Bertalot   given that borrowers are not identical; a case for young couple will be
 I think France made a major issue a few months ago. Belgium is   different from that of a middle-aged couple, who are likely to have a
 preparing or is already out into the market. Every single government   different level of affordability. So, the intervention of the state, the city or
 seems to consider issuing green bonds, of which the process is in the   the region can be different in each case. Therefore, we need to plan this
 pipeline, or under discussion. I think they are all reflecting on this, so it's   initiative together with the authorities, in order to identify a clear target
 now, I will say, also a government discussion. My point is, it is not just   and devise clear solutions for all different stakeholders and borrowers, in
 a market looking on this, but the climate bond parameters criteria have   implementing our strategy.   Session I
 been implemented at the government's level as well.


               » Moderator  |  You Tay Lee
 » Moderator  |  You Tay Lee   Maureen, are green bonds safer or better investment alternatives than
 Yet I have always wondering; where is the governance? We'll see.   non-green bonds? Could that be a key driver for investors to buy the
 Meanwhile I have another question from the floor. You show that   bonds?
 energy savings get capitalized into house prices. Doesn't this undermine
 affordability for future buyers?
               » Panelist  |  Maureen Schuller
                 Well, I think that depends pretty much, because if you consider the
 » Panelist  |  Luca Bertalot   example of covered bonds, and if you select a pool of energy efficient
 I will say it also improves the disposable income of the family in it,   mortgage loans, that particular pool of energy efficient mortgage loans
 while it is true there is a slight increase of the house price, which reduces   gets added to the same collateral pool, as the non-energy-efficient
 the affordability. Just taking the example of my Danish numbers; a family   mortgage loans securing the covered bonds. So ultimately, the buyer of
 could have around 100 euros of discount in the monthly expenses, so   the green covered bonds buys, essentially, a risk to the same pool of assets
 it impacts both sides, but there is a kind of compensation. I think the   as the buyer of the gray covered bonds. So, I don't think at this stage, you
 probability of default effect is quite important in terms of disposable   could argue on a bond level, there is actually a risk diversification versus
 income, and there is a trade-off, of course. But it would be different on   green versus non-green, and for that particular purpose, buyers will buy
 case by case, house by house.     the green bonds over the grey bonds. I think green investors buy green
               bonds, simply because of the proceeds allocation to energy efficient or
               sustainable loans.
 » Moderator  |  You Tay Lee
 Yes, I think a virtuous circle would be a key, where one increases the
 other and the other way around. I hope it works.   » Moderator  |  You Tay Lee
                 I see. I catch there is another question. Which party is best suited to be
               a guarantor for EE renovation in this model?
 » Panelist  |  Luca Bertalot
 Sorry to add another comment. But that is why it is important to
 have a combination of intervention from the state and in the market,




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