"Climate change influences prices and financial stability, which means that it can have a direct impact on the achievement of our basic objectives – price stability and the stability of the financial system. In order to facilitate the climate transition in the Republic of Croatia, we ask banks to recognize climate risks in their portfolios, and thus to support investments related to adaptation to climate change and combating climate and environmental damage. As a positive example to others, we within the CNB are also undertaking various activities to green our own operations, and for the first time we have calculated our carbon footprint and defined our own carbon footprint targets. In addition, we are currently investing 7.5% of our financial assets in securities with sustainability characteristics," said Sandra Švaljek, Deputy Governor of the Croatian National Bank in the introductory lecture of the first EFOS Business Forum "Sustainable Future of the Croatian Economy", organised by the Faculty of Economics in Osijek on Tuesday.

The Deputy Governor also participated, with prof. Boris Crnković, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Economics in Osijek, Stjepan Ergović, Member of the Management Board of Nexe Group, Vali Marszalek, ESG Director from Mazars Croatia and Bruno Rechner, Director and Owner of Rechner d.o.o., at the panel discussion "Is the Economy in Croatia Green Enough and What Can We Do Better?" moderated by the Vice Dean of EFOS, Sunčica Oberman Peterka. During the panel, participants stressed the importance of cooperation between academia, the business sector and financial institutions in achieving a green future.

"The end of the EFOS Business Forum is actually the beginning of new chapters in the development of a sustainable economy. I am proud that we have had the opportunity to host prominent experts from different sectors who have enriched the discussions with their knowledge, and the cooperation that has flourished among participants testifies to the importance of joint efforts in achieving sustainable goals. At the same time, diversity of perspectives and innovative approaches have been highlighted as key drivers of change. I look forward to future initiatives and the continuation of the dialogue that will further improve our community and the economy," said the Dean of the Faculty of Economics in Osijek on that occasion.

The first EFOS Business Forum gathered prominent experts from the business, financial and academic sectors with the aim of discussing key innovations and strategies for shaping the green future of the Croatian economy. All participants had the opportunity to find out how, among other things, climate change affects the level and dynamics of prices, as well as financial stability.