Partnership between United Nations Environment and the global financial sector to promote sustainable finance
15 February 2022
UNEP FI and the European Banking Federation have launched a report, “Practical approaches to applying the EU Taxonomy to bank lending”, that explores practical approaches for banks who wish to use the EU Taxonomy. This initiative, supported by EY, was developed based on discussions with 24 banks*, 12 banking associations and six observing organisations, and…
20 December 2021
The UNEP FI Regional Roundtable for Europe was held virtually on 10 and 11 November 2021 alongside COP26, and welcomed 600+ attendees and 30+ speakers to help define the role of banking, insurance and investment in shaping ambitious responsible and sustainable strategies to proactively address the challenges and opportunities of a green recovery whilst transitioning…
6 July 2021
On 6 July 2021, the European Union (EU) published its Strategy for Financing the Transition to a Sustainable Economy, showcasing the areas of key development since the Action Plan for Financing Sustainable Growth was published in March 2018. The publication establishes the strategic priorities and next steps in terms of both legislative and non-legislative actions in the EU with a clear aim to support the EU Green Deal and the path to a carbon-neutral Europe by 2050.
26 January 2021
UNEP FI and the European Banking Federation (EBF) have launched a unique report assessing the extent to which the EU Taxonomy on Sustainable Activities could be applied to core banking products for labelling or disclosure purposes. This report is the result of a project with 26 major banks, seven banking associations and five observing organisations…
1 October 2020
The European Commission published today the list of members of the Platform on Sustainable Finance, which includes UNEP FI. The Platform brings together experts from civil society organizations, academia, and the business and finance sector to develop sustainable finance policies and tools to tackle the urgency of the sustainability transition. For the next 2 years the…
14 July 2020
In July 2020, the European Commission closed its stakeholder consultation on its Renewed Sustainable Finance Strategy, which will be adopted by year-end. The Commission’s proposal recognizes that the scale of investment necessary for a timely, just and sustainable transition goes beyond the capacity of the public sector and needs to include the private sector as…
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…
5 December 2019
The European Banking Federation (EBF) and the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI ) are launching a project to assess the extent to which the EU Taxonomy on Sustainable Activities could be applied to core banking products. The objective of the project is to: Provide a high-level feasibility assessment of the EU Taxonomy…
8 August 2019
We are very excited to announce that Antoni Ballabriga, BBVA’s Global Head of Responsible Business will join Jacki Johnson as the new Co-Chair of UNEP FI’s Global Steering Committee. Antoni has been on the committee since January 2018, and a very active supporter of the Principles for Responsible Banking, the new sustainable banking framework developed…
18 June 2019
On 18 June 2019, the European Commission’s EU Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance (TEG) launched reports on an EU Taxonomy, a voluntary EU Green Bond Standard and voluntary low-carbon benchmarks. The TEG’s reports will help shape future regulations, some of which are still under negotiation. EU Taxonomy EU Green Bond Standard Climate Benchmarks and…
7 March 2019
The EU has taken an important step forward on advancing sustainable finance. On Thursday 7 March 2019, the EU Parliament and Council achieved political agreement on requiring ESG integration by financial market participants. Clarifying the fiduciary duties of investors has been a priority for UNEP FI for many years. These rules are an essential part…
21 December 2018
The Energy Efficiency Financial Institutions Group (EEFIG), jointly convened by the European Commission and UNEP FI, has launched a call for expressions of interest for the first working group it is setting up in its third phase: the working group on the input on energy efficiency to the emerging EU sustainable finance taxonomy and on…
27 November 2018
Euronext Bell Ringing Euronext opened financial markets in Paris on 27 November 2018 at Palais Brongniart in support of the Climate Finance Week in Paris dedicated to delivering a sustainable financial system with the UNEP FI Global Roundtable and the 4th Climate Finance Day. The event included participation from Eric Forest, Head of Listing France for Euronext, Philippe…
26 November 2018
Fiduciary duty in the 21st Century: Launch of the France Roadmap 26 November 2018 The France Roadmap – the latest in a series of market analyses from the Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century programme – was launched today at UNEP FI’s 2018 Global Roundtable in Paris, France. The roadmap, which sets out recommendations for…
23 July 2018
As part of implementing its first legislative package on sustainable finance, the European Commission has recently announced a Technical Expert Group (TEG) on Sustainable Finance and has appointed UNEP FI as an observer to the Group. The main tasks of the TEG will be to assist the Commission in the development of: an EU taxonomy…
4 July 2018
4 July 2018 (French below) The Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century programme – launched in 2016 by the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and the Generation Foundation – will collaborate with Finance for Tomorrow to publish a “roadmap for sustainable finance in France”. The Fiduciary…
29 June 2018
‘Ireland’s Fiduciary Duty Roadmap’ report provides clear recommendations on policy and market changes required to achieve full ESG integration into core areas of investment practices. These guidelines were published in advance of new EU Directive for pension funds. In June 2018, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), and…
4 June 2018
On May 24th the European Commission released its first legislative package under its Action Plan for Sustainable Finance, including proposals on a sustainable taxonomy and investor duties. The Commission aims to make the financial sector a powerful actor in fighting climate change and meeting the sustainable development goals by further aligning the industry with the…
30 April 2018
(Español) (English text below) El internacionalmente reconocido Programa de Capacitación de Análisis de Riesgos Ambientales y Sociales (ARAS) fue desarrollado en 2005 por ONU Ambiente Iniciativa Financiera (UNEP FI, por sus siglas en inglés), INCAE Business School / Proyecto Ecobanking y la Agencia de Cooperación Alemana GIZ. Desde entonces, cursos virtuales y talleres presenciales…
5 April 2018
In a remarkable development at the end of March, French President, Emmanuel Macron, and European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, launched the European Action Plan on Sustainable Finance. If fully enacted, it shows how quickly public and private actors can work together to change key aspects of our economic system. The Plan proposes a package of…