Among the applicants, a total of about 3 particularly outstanding applicants will be awarded in the Investment Subcategory and the Business Subcategory. From the Sustainable Finance Human Resource Development Subcategory, about one applicant who is particularly outstanding will be awarded. Among them, one business that is particularly excellent in its green finance initiatives will be awarded with the “Governor’s Special Prize for Green Finance”. In addition to these awards, “Special Awards” may be given to other excellent initiatives.
Themes of Investment subcategory
| Category | Themes |
|---|---|
| Proliferation and promotion of sustainable finance |
• Proliferation and promotion of sustainable finance and regenerative finance (ReFi) • Establishing the sustainable finance market and enhancing its trust and transparency • Utilization of digital technology in sustainable finance |
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• Climate change actions (e.g., climate change mitigation, including clean technology, and reduction of GHG emissions; climate change adaptation, including climate risk forecasting and analysis) • Strengthening of supply chain management and monitoring to promote decarbonization, etc. • Natural resources (e.g., water resources, responsible procurement of raw materials, land use, biodiversity) • Circular economy (e.g., sharing services, renewable material development, remanufacturing, including repair and regeneration) |
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• Well-being (health and security & human rights) (e.g., product and work environment safety, mental wellness) • Human capital (e.g., labor management, promotion of women’s participation in the workplace and diversity, human capital development) • Measures to address the declining population and aging society (e.g., reduction of labor shortages, nursing care services, measures for dementia) |
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• Enhancement of corporate governance • Transformation of corporate behavior (e.g., business ethics that benefit society, no track record of fraud, manipulation or corruption, promotion of fair competition) • Promoting dialogue and information disclosure among stakeholders including investors and investees |
※The Investment Subcategory invites a wide range of financial activities including, but not limited to investments, lending, etc., that contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
Initiatives that have contributed to the realization of a sustainable society through the use of sustainable finance*
* Sustainability-linked loans, sustainable funds, and other similar financing methods that take sustainability into consideration (including a wide range of financing from VC and other sources)
Initiatives related to human resource development (expansion of the base and improvement of skills) for “providers”, “intermediaries” and “recipients” of funds in sustainable finance* and their “supporters” are widely solicited. (Initiatives of your own company and those to provide services to other companies are both eligible for the application.) Below are examples only and initiatives to be applied need not be limited to them.
* A financial methodology that utilizes funds to address global issues such as climate change and other environmental issues, as well as human rights, poverty, and other social issues, in order to transform society into a more sustainable form
| Improvement of basic knowledge and literacy of sustainability |
• Development of training skills and training framework related to sustainable finance • Development of training and educational materials on basic concepts of sustainable finance and sustainability • Implementation of educational activities and promotional events for a wide range of generations |
| Improvement of practical and professional skills |
• Provision of practical training for sustainable investment, impact investment, etc., including promotion of understanding of market, regulatory, and initiative trends, etc. • Support for acquisition of sustainable finance-related qualifications • Practical training on sustainable investment, impact investment, and sustainable management (sustainability-related information disclosure and risk management) |
| Development of cross-disciplinary knowledge and leadership |
• Organization of business and idea competitions for solutions to sustainable finance-related issues • Programs to strengthen cross-disciplinary collaboration and dialogue with stakeholders • Promotion of cross-organizational human resource exchange and networking • Cultivation of role models and leaders to promote sustainable finance |