Convergence of the Cutting Edge
S&P Global Marketplace Hackathon - The Pacific Region

The Challenge

Background:

Following the tragic mega-fires of 2019-2020, extreme floods and ongoing degradation of the Great Barrier Reef, many Australians are calling for more action on climate change. The 2016 Paris Agreement committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally by the second half of this century in order to keep the rise in mean temperatures well below 20 Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to limit global warming to 1.50. To date, progress has been worryingly slow. Research by S&P Global Sustainable1 shows that major companies are on track for >3°C warming, falling 72% short of the required emissions reductions needed at this stage¹. The recent explosion of net zero commitments from companies, financial institutions and countries provides welcome optimism, however.

But, is decarbonisation the decade of opportunity or a new set of financial risks?

Watch our 1-minute video for a quick introduction to the Hackathon.

The Question to Address:

Participants in the competition are asked to address the above question by taking a stance as to whether decarbonization poses opportunities or threats, and justified with a quality researched and modelled submission that fully leverages the rich data sets provided, and may include construction of a portfolio. (Note: a view that says it poses both opportunities and risks is acceptable.)

See submission components >

¹State of Green Business 2021: Climate Risk”, GreenBiz Group and S&P Global, 2021, www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/research/state-of-green-business-2021.