22.10.2020  Closing address to the CNMV Conference on Financial Sustainability The CNMV's activity in the area of sustainable finance Margarita Delgado Deputy Governor  Good morning everyone. I would like to thank the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV), and in particular its Vice-Chair, for kindly inviting me to close this conference on sustainability. I regret not being able to attend the presentations over the last two days, but judging by the topics addressed and the quality of the speakers, I am confident that the conference has been a success. I think that it is difficult to find an aim that is more global or shared more widely than the fight against climate change. Although this consensus has gradually developed over time, it is clear that it has quickly grown recently. Traditionally, this challenge has been addressed through fiscal policies. From a theoretical standpoint, and in the opinion of the Banco de España, these policies continue to be the most suitable for resolving the challenge posed by pollution. More recently, a CO2 emissions trading system has been developed in Europe, pursuing the same objectives of internalising environmental costs, which is currently being revised. Nevertheless, this type of conventional measure has been complemented by other developments. The foremost of these are undoubtedly technological changes and the falling cost of renewable energy production, together with the shift in economic agents' and the public’s attitude and awareness as regards sustainability.
Although equity and property prices serve as important indicators for the future development of economic activity, they are not a goal of monetary policy. Many reasons militate against a direct monetary-policy response to changes in asset prices. The question nevertheless arises as to whether monetary policy could not do more to prevent any speculative bubbles from forming in the first place. BIS Review 53/2003  1