At the Net-Zero Export Credit Agencies Alliance (NZECA) annual high-level meeting last week, France’s export credit agency, Bpifrance Assurance Export, announced its transition from affiliate to full member of the alliance – now committing to decarbonize their portfolio in line with limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2050. Bpifrance Assurance Export joined NZECA as an affiliate member in March 2025, and has since published its first carbon footprint, with its climate strategy set to be released in the coming weeks.
“Becoming a full member and joining the steering committee of the NZECA marks a key milestone in our climate commitment. Through this step, Bpifrance Assurance Export reaffirms its determination to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, in concert with export credit agencies and export–import banks that are fully engaged in this transition.” Denis Le Fers, Chief Executive Officer of Bpifrance Assurance Export.
As senior representatives from the ten NZECA members convened in Oxford, UK, alongside the Lill Symposium, discussions focused on progress made by members and the alliance to date and emerging roles of export credit agencies. Members highlighted the value of NZECA membership in supporting delivery on their mandates and building the resilience of their clients. They agreed key priorities and new areas of work for the year ahead, including a stronger focus on opportunities for capital mobilization for climate solutions and technologies, and continuous pro-active cooperation within the export finance sector and other partners.
“NZECA has become the leading forum where export credit agencies translate net‑zero commitments into practical action. We see this as a powerful enabler of both our climate ambitions and strategic priorities such as resilience and energy security.” Christian Ølgaard, Chief Policy and Regulatory Officer, EIFO
NZECA provides a dedicated framework for export credit agencies (ECAs) and export-import (ExIm) banks to advance climate strategies and share knowledge. Through the alliance, members work together on defining best practices and approaches to support the transition to net-zero economies. ECAs and ExIm banks with climate embedded in their mandates and those operating in countries committed to achieving net zero can advance their climate action through NZECA by working with like-minded peers. Members receive support from the UNEP FI-hosted secretariat, as well as access to expertise from across the global financial system via UNEP FI’s network.
Operating at the interface of public and private finance, ECAs and ExIm banks play a pivotal role in enabling climate-aligned trade and innovation where commercial finance alone may be insufficient. By providing export credits and risk coverage on behalf of governments, they can unlock investment in climate-related technologies, large-scale infrastructure, transition projects and innovative solutions.
Since its launch in 2023, NZECA has made tangible progress in translating ambition into action. In 2024, the alliance released its target-setting protocol providing guidance to ECAs and ExIm banks in setting relevant and credible net-zero targets. In 2025, NZECA published its first progress report summarizing members’ advances in climate strategies, target-setting and emissions reductions, alongside a technical paper on tailoring greenhouse gas accounting methodologies for trade finance institutions.
Learn more about NZECA and its members here.