News

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) today launched The Conceptual Framework for Sustainability Risk Integration that sets out a practical approach to help banks embed sustainability risks into core risk management practices, in response to growing supervisory expectations and technical challenges experienced by banks.

Supporting clients in the transition to a nature-positive economy means embedding nature into client engagement, supporting clients through advice, financial products and solutions, and capacity building. This is both an environmental and strategic imperative. In Asia Pacific, where economies are closely tied to natural systems, enabling client transition can reduce portfolio risk, strengthen resilience, and unlock new business opportunities.

Read about the recently published Just Transition Finance: Case Studies from Banking and Insurance, which illustrates how financial institutions are moving beyond conceptual commitments into an early phase of applied implementation

Financial health and inclusion are central to economic resilience, enabling households and small businesses to meet obligations, manage shocks, and invest - underpinning more resilient portfolios and, ultimately, more sustainable banks. This case study explores how PRB signatories in Asia Pacific are turning financial inclusion gains into resilience.

Find out about the accomplishments of UNEP FI throughout 2025 in this annual review article.

Read this article written by Eric Usher, Head of UNEP FI, for Eco-Business, on how financial institutions can make the most of the economic growth opportunity of the century.

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.

On 6 November 2025, UNEP FI and MSCI Institute convened at the PRI in Person event in São Paulo. Joined by leaders from Harvard, Amundi, and Itaú, the panel discussion drew on MSCI’s analysis of PRB member banks, exploring the financial implications of sustainability commitments. The session presented a deep dive into how responsible banking correlates with stronger ESG performance and lower cost of capital, with broader relevance across sectors and investment strategies. In conclusion, responsible banking practices, when embedded and rigorous, were shown to deliver not just positive societal impact but tangible business value.

UNEP FI marks the release of the UN Principles for Responsible Banking’s third biennial progress report, “Responsible Banking: A Six Year Journey of Systemic Change.”

The 3rd PRB Progress Report highlights how PRB signatories are increasingly moving from commitment to action, embedding sustainability into core business strategies, governance, and client relationships to manage risk, meet stakeholder expectations, to remain competitive in an evolving economy challenged by climate change and where over 50% of global GDP is dependent on nature.