News

Action on nature: what can financial institutions expect in 2026?

With USD 700 billion needed each year to protect and restore nature and over half of global economic value generation moderately or highly dependent on natural systems, closing the nature finance gap represents both a significant challenge and a major opportunity for the finance sector. As 2026 shapes up to see important moments for nature conservation and restoration, this article looks at what to look out for in nature finance over the coming months. 

From sustainability to stability: Transition plans enter the prudential agenda

Prudential supervisors are increasingly considering how institutions can use their strategic transition plans to inform assessments of resilience, governance and financial stability—which, in turn, can help institutions evaluate their exposures to climate-related risks, and manage the financial implications of the transition. This article highlights emerging supervisory approaches and trends for financial institutions navigating evolving prudential expectations. It includes examples of how prudential supervisors in different countries and regions are approaching transition plans, and discusses implications of transition planning for banks’ risk management and governance.

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Financing the EU chemical sector transition: Opportunities to sustainably transform a hard-to-abate industry

UNEP FI and the European Banking Federation (EBF) have released a new policy brief to help financial institutions and other stakeholders understand how Europe’s chemical sector is developing within the region’s sustainable transformation, including key policies affecting the sector. The brief, “Transforming the EU Chemical Sector”, shares practical policy levers that can support the chemical industry’s sustainable transition and strengthen its investment case.

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The COP30 mutirão decision and what it means for the global finance sector

As COP30 in Belém, Brazil drew to a close, Remco Fischer, Head of Climate for UNEP FI, and members of UNEP FI's Latin America and Caribbean-based team reflected on key outcomes from the climate negotiations, Brazil’s leadership, and private sector engagement on climate change these past two weeks—and have set out some of the implications for the global finance sector.

COP30: Responsible banking outlook from Belém

UNEP FI and PRB signatories had a strong presence in the lead-up to COP30 and on the ground in Belém demonstrating how the responsible banking community are demonstrating leadership in advancing climate and nature goals.