Principles for Responsible Banking

Shaping the future of banking

About

We work with the banking community through the UN Principles for Responsible Banking to accelerate a positive global transition for people and the planet. With over 300 signatory banks representing almost half of the global banking industry, the Principles are the world’s foremost sustainable banking framework. Through the Principles, banks take action to align their core strategy, decision-making, lending and investment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement. The Principles for Responsible Banking include the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, which is the climate-focused initiative of this global framework. We strongly recommend that banks mainly operating in developed economies signing the Principles for Responsible Banking framework also join the climate flagship initiative NZBA.

Highlights

Why the new Global Biodiversity Framework matters to members of the Principles for Responsible Banking

On Dec 19th, a historic agreement was reached at the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP 15): the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) which aims to halt and ...

Principles for Responsible Banking to strengthen climate ambition to meet increased expectations

As the global framework and gold standard for sustainable banking, the Principles for Responsible Banking continuously evolve in line with increasing ambition and new goals humanity defines – such as ...

6 Principles for Responsible Banking

Created by the United Nations in partnership with founding banks, the Principles are designed to be integrated into banks’ strategies and across their portfolio of activities, bringing purpose, vision and ambition on sustainable finance to the core of the organisation.

1. Alignment

We will align our business strategy to be consistent with and contribute to individuals’ needs and society’s goals, as expressed in the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement and relevant national and regional frameworks.

2. Impact & Target Setting

We will continuously increase our positive impacts while reducing the negative impacts on, and managing the risks to, people and environment resulting from our activities, products and services. To this end we will set and publish targets where we can have the most significant impact.

3. Clients & Customers

We will work responsibly with our clients and our customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable economic activities that create shared prosperity for current and future generations.

4. Stakeholders

We will proactively and responsibly consult, engage and partner with relevant stakeholders to achieve society’s goals.

5. Governance & Culture

We will implement our commitment to these Principles through effective governance and a culture of responsible banking.

6. Transparency & Accountability

We will periodically review our individual and collective implementation of these Principles and be transparent about and accountable for our positive and negative impacts and our contribution to society’s goals.

Getting started

Take a 3-Step Approach

Analyse your Impact: banks start by running a thorough impact analysis across their portfolio of activities to understand the greatest positive and negative impacts the bank has on society and the environment. This forms a baseline for identifying where the greatest change can be achieved. Read more…
Set Targets: banks must develop at least two robust targets that address the most significant impacts they have identified. The targets must be ambitious enough to objectively bring the bank’s business and portfolio into alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Climate Agreement. Read more…
Start Reporting: banks must report publicly on an annual basis on how they are implementing the Principles for Responsible Banking, the targets they have set and the progress made. By the fourth year from signing, these reports must be assured by a third party provider. Read more…

Guidance, Tools & Accelerators

Guidance: discover our range of cutting-edge industry guidance for best practice on setting targets in key areas of sustainable finance, including climate mitigation, nature & biodiversity loss, gender equality, financial health & inclusion and resource efficiency & the circular economy. Discover…
Tools: working with banks, we have developed guidance and tools to help you analyse the impact of your bank’s activities, including a portfolio impact analysis tool. Discover…
Accelerators: we have a number of accelerators to help you drive momentum in critical areas, including the Net-Zero Banking Alliance focused on climate, the PRB Commitment to Financial Health & Inclusion, and the members-only PRB Biodiversity Community. Discover…

Join the Community

Join us: learn how your bank can take action through the Principles, and embed responsible banking at the heart of your business. Read more…
Signatories: discover the list of banks who have committed to the Principles for Responsible Banking and the progress they have made so far. Read more…
Our journey so far: learn how the community has developed since launch in 2019, including the latest bi-annual progress report on how banks are making progress at a collective level. Read more…
Governance: the Principles are governed by the UNEP FI Banking Board, managed day-to-day by a secretariat, and feature a unique Civil Society Advisory Body to ensure the Principles stay relevant to society’s needs. Read more…