Europe

6 July 2021

UNEP FI welcomes EU Strategy for Financing the Transition to a Sustainable Economy

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

26 banks test the application of the EU Taxonomy to core banking products

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

European Commission appoints Platform on Sustainable Finance, includes UNEP FI

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…

5 December 2019

UNEP FI Regional Roundtable Europe 2019: Highlights

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…

18 June 2019

European Commission’s Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance launches reports, including on an EU Taxonomy, to help drive the transition towards a sustainable economy

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

EU policy makers achieve political agreement on investor disclosures and ESG

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…

27 November 2018

At UNEP FI’s GRT 2018 Day 2: Euronext opens markets in Paris with a call for urgent action for sustainable finance

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

France Roadmap Aims to Strengthen French Leadership in Responsible Investment

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

UNEP FI Appointed Observer to European Commission Technical Expert Group

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

Launch of the France Roadmap for Sustainable Finance / Lancement de la Feuille de Route Française de la Finance Durable

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 is the 10th Country in the World to Publish Recommendations for Responsible Investing

‘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

Europe moves to put its sustainable finance strategy into law

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

Entrevista: Tomás Conde de BBVA España habla sobre los beneficios de haber tomado la capacitación de ARAS

(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

Europe Launches Action Plan on Sustainable Finance

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…

11 December 2017

UNEP FI Honoured with IPE Outstanding Industry Contribution Award

Last month, UNEP FI and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) received the Investments and Pensions Europe 2017 gold award for Outstanding Industry Contribution in recognition of our work on Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century. Long considered a barrier, the programme seeks to modernise conceptions of fiduciary duty to integrate environmental, social and governance…

14 November 2017

European Commission Consultation on Investors’ Duties and Sustainability

On 13 November 2017, the European Commission launched a public consultation on Institutional investors and asset managers’ duties regarding sustainability. Running until 22 January 2018, the consultation seeks evidence on: How clarifications or amendments to investor duties can contribute to more efficient allocation of capital and to more sustainable and inclusive growth; How to ensure…