Comprendre les mécanismes favorisant la transition au sein des taxonomies

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative analyzes how sustainable finance taxonomies integrate mechanisms to support the transition of high-emission sectors toward net-zero emissions by 2050. It identifies six specific 'Taxonomy Transition Mechanisms' used to define and evaluate the credibility of transition activities, providing a framework for taxonomy designers, investors, and market professionals to ensure robust and science-based decarbonization pathways.

• The report identifies six 'Taxonomy Transition Mechanisms' used to recognize and facilitate credible activity transitions over time: (A) Revision of evolving criteria over time, (B) Forward-looking criteria, (C) Gradation, (D) Measures, (E) Sunset dates or phase-out guidelines, and (F) Requirement of a transition plan.
• Taxonomies are categorized into four main archetypes: Binary (aligned or not aligned), 'Traffic Light' (e.g., green, amber, red), Mixed (combining binary and other elements), and Standalone (focused specifically on rapid decarbonization).
• The 'Revision of evolving criteria over time' mechanism involves setting current criteria that are updated periodically to align with transition pathways, often using a 'best-in-class' approach to establish initial baselines.
• Forward-looking criteria provide a clear roadmap by setting current and future thresholds simultaneously, such as emission trajectories toward net-zero, which reduces regulatory uncertainty for long-term investment planning.
• Gradation allows for multiple levels of ambition (e.g., beginner, intermediate, advanced), providing a stepping stone for entities at different maturity stages, though it carries a higher risk of greenwashing if not paired with sunset dates.
• The 'Measures' mechanism uses a whitelist of eligible technologies or practices to reduce emissions, which is particularly useful for SMEs or sectors with limited data, although it is often technology-specific rather than neutral.
• Sunset dates and phase-out guidelines provide a predetermined date after which a technology or activity is no longer compliant, preventing 'permanent' transition status and avoiding carbon lock-in.
• Requiring a transition plan ensures that specific activity-level investments are part of a broader, strategic entity-wide decarbonization effort, increasing overall credibility.
• The EU Taxonomy defines transition activities as those for which no low-carbon alternatives are technically and economically feasible, requiring that they do not lock in assets incompatible with climate neutrality.
• The Australian Sustainable Finance Taxonomy focuses on high-emission activities that play a stable or growing long-term role in the transition, utilizing decarbonization measures to move assets toward 1.5€C alignment.
• The Singapore-Asia Taxonomy employs a 'Traffic Light' system and introduces 'amber measures'—building blocks of transition that indicate progress even if the entire activity is not yet fully aligned.
• The report emphasizes that taxonomies are not standalone solutions but must be integrated with complementary policies, such as National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and sectoral roadmaps, to be effective.

APA

Boulle, B., & Rolla, I. P. (n.d.). Comprendre les mécanismes favorisant la transition au sein des taxonomies. Climate Bonds Initiative. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/FR_Transitions-in-Taxonomies.pdf

Chicago

Boulle, Bridget, and Isabella Piuzana Rolla. Comprendre les mécanismes favorisant la transition au sein des taxonomies. Climate Bonds Initiative, n.d. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/FR_Transitions-in-Taxonomies.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Boulle |first1=Bridget |last2=Rolla |first2=Isabella Piuzana |title=Comprendre les mécanismes favorisant la transition au sein des taxonomies |publisher=Climate Bonds Initiative |url=https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/FR_Transitions-in-Taxonomies.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{boullendcomprendre, author = {Boulle, Bridget and Rolla, Isabella Piuzana}, title = {{Comprendre les mécanismes favorisant la transition au sein des taxonomies}}, institution = {Climate Bonds Initiative}, url = {https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/FR_Transitions-in-Taxonomies.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }