Swiss government allows financial sector to self-regulate greenwashing prevention

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🗞️ Driving the news: Switzerland’s Federal Council has decided to allow the financial sector to self-regulate in preventing greenwashing, based on the industry's progress in establishing self-regulatory measures

🔭 The context: This decision follows a December 2022 paper by the Council outlining greenwashing prevention measures and a subsequent October 2023 announcement by the Swiss Federal Department of Finance (FDF) to consider regulation if self-regulation proved insufficient

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Effective greenwashing prevention ensures that financial products genuinely contribute to sustainability goals, fostering transparency and integrity in sustainable investments

⏭️ What's next: The Council will re-evaluate the need for state regulation once the EU updates its Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), addressing any remaining compliance issues

💬 One quote: “With the present AMAS self-regulation on sustainability, a quality step has been taken in key areas that benefits all stakeholders,” said Adrian Schatzmann, CEO of AMAS

📈 One stat: In Switzerland, the financial sector accounts for around 9.4% of the country's GDP

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