News

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.

A new Principles for Responsible Banking guidance helps banking professionals incorporate climate adaptation and resilience (A&R) into their risk frameworks and business strategies whether establishing their approach to A&R or enhancing existing practices within their organization.

In February 2025, the European Commission (EC) announced the Clean Industrial Deal (CID), the EU’s main industrial strategy and a key part of its climate policy. As leveraging private capital will be key to the CID’s success, policymakers, banks and industry representatives recently shared their recommendations for overcoming barriers and leveraging opportunities to help the CID achieve its transformative potential at an event convened by UNEP FI, the European Banking Federation, and the Net-Zero Banking Alliance.

UNEP FI begins work with peer organizations and with practitioners to iterate the Sector Mappings, integrating lessons learned from users and improving its useability and usefulness for different audiences and use cases.

UNEP FI's new report, "Guidance on Responsible Policy Engagement," offers recommendations for developing and implementing effective policy engagement strategies, centred around four pillars of responsible policy engagement: consistency, accountability, transparency, and active engagement.