News

Principles for Responsible Banking update: More than 170 banks worldwide now committed to aligning their business strategies with society’s goals

24 March 2020

A total of 171 banks from around the world have now signed UNEP FI’s Principles for Responsible Banking: each one making a commitment to far-reaching change as they realign their businesses with the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Goals. This is a significant increase from the 130 founding […]

KENFO is the first sovereign wealth fund to join UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance

9 March 2020

9th March 2020 – German sovereign wealth fund KENFO has become the 21st member of the UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, bringing the total assets under management (AUM) to approximately US $ 4.6 trillion. By joining the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, KENFO has committed to transitioning its investment portfolio to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by […]

ERAFP joins UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance

5 March 2020

5th March 2020 – French civil servant pensions fund ERAFP (Établissement de retraite additionnelle de la fonction publique) has become the 20th asset owner to join the UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, bringing the Alliance’s total assets under management (AUM) to over US$ 4.5 trillion. By joining the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, an initiative co-convened […]

UNEP FI members recognised at ESG Finance Awards Japan 2019

27 February 2020

Under the leadership of the Environment Minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, the Ministry of the Environment of Japan in 2019 established the “ESG Finance Awards Japan” to salute private sector initiatives aiming to create outstanding impacts on the environment and society. The Ministry has a long track record of being a strong advocate for ESG finance and […]

Günther Thallinger, Allianz CIO and Chair of Asset Owner Alliance reacts to BP’s announcement

14 February 2020

Günther Thallinger, Allianz CIO and Chair of the UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, reacts to BP’s announcement: “We welcome BP‘s announcement to reduce its carbon emission by 2050. This ambition is a step towards achieving the objective of our Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance commitment. It is a significant statement and we expect it will encourage […]

Generali and Church of England investment bodies join UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance

22 January 2020

$4.3 trillion AUM Alliance using collective voice at Davos to highlight need for urgent climate action to world’s corporate and political leaders 22 January 2019 – Four months after 12 of the world’s largest pension funds and insurers committed to decarbonize their investments by 2050, the United Nations-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance has added the […]

2019 in review: UNEP FI membership tops 300 as finance sector steps up on sustainable finance

19 December 2019

2019 was a year of stellar achievement for UNEP FI and its members. In October, shortly after successful launches at the UN General Assembly in New York, our membership reached a tally of 300 banks, insurers and investors from around the globe. This review of the year provides highlights and we would like to use this opportunity to thank our members, supporting institutions and sponsors for their dedication to promoting sustainable finance and ensuring a more resilient, low-carbon future for all.

Canadian Members of UNEP FI Sign Statement of Support to the Final Report of the Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance

6 December 2019

Several Canadian members of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative support the final recommendations of Canada’s Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance – Mobilizing Finance for Sustainable Growth. A statement that affirms financial institutions commitment to support the transition to a sustainable economy. The membership-led effort convened twelve organizations to affirm their commitment to mobilize […]

UNEP FI Regional Roundtable Europe 2019: Highlights

5 December 2019

The UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), Luxembourg for Finance (LFF) and Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) joined forces for three days to welcome over 500 sustainable finance professionals to Luxembourg on 28-30 November 2019. The events, co-hosted by the Luxembourg Ministry of Finance and Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development, created a […]

Groundbreaking work to assess real-world sustainability impact for investors: A Legal Framework for Impact

27 November 2019

On 27 November 2019, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and The Generation Foundation announced the launch of pioneering research with global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (‘Freshfields’) to analyse whether and how legal frameworks allow for – and incentivise – investors to consider sustainability impact […]

The 1.5°C goal is on the brink of becoming impossible: Get the numbers on global emissions in latest UNEP Report

26 November 2019

  UN Environment Programme’s Emission Gap Report, published today, finds that collective ambition must increase more than fivefold over current levels to deliver the cuts needed over the next decade to achieve the 1.5°C goal. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that going beyond 1.5°C will increase the frequency and intensity of […]