Publications

Changing Course: A comprehensive investor guide to scenario-based methods for climate risk assessment, in response to the TCFD

Twenty institutional investors from eleven countries, convened by UNEP FI and supported by Carbon Delta, have worked throughout 2018–2019 to analyse, evaluate, and test, state-of-the-art methodologies to enable 1.5°C, 2°C, and 3°C scenario-based analysis of their portfolios in line with the recommendations of the FSB’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). The outputs and […]

Natural Capital Credit Risk Assessment in Agricultural Lending

The report, ‘Natural Capital Credit Risk Assessment in Agricultural Lending’ is a new template that enables financial institutions to conduct natural capital credit risk assessment across different agricultural sectors and geographies, taking into account factors such as water availability, use and quality; soil health; biodiversity; energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The new sector-specific guide […]

Principles for Responsible Banking – Consultation Version

The Principles for Responsible Banking provide the much-needed framework for the sustainable banking system of the future – and enable the banking industry to demonstrate how it makes a positive contribution to society. They are designed to guide any bank – whatever its starting point – to align its business strategy with society’s goals. Developed […]

Global ESG Real Estate Investment Survey Results

In late 2018, a global survey was conducted to better understand how the attitudes, strategies, and practices of real estate investors, and fund and asset managers are incorporating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria, and the degree to which they may need to strengthen their commitments so that their portfolios are aligned with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. More than […]

Underwriting environmental, social and governance risks in non-life insurance business – Consultation document

The first guidance designed for the global insurance industry to integrate sustainability into industrial and commercial business has launched for public consultation. The guide “Underwriting environmental, social and governance risks in non-life insurance business” will help non-life insurers manage environmental, social and governance risks in insurance underwriting—the core process of evaluating, defining and pricing insurance risks. […]

Positive Impact Real Estate Investment Framework

The UNEP FI Property Working Group, in collaboration with RICS, PRI, and members of the Global Investor Coalition on Climate Change, have produced a practical, action-oriented framework to accelerate a new financing paradigm for the delivery of the global SDGs. The 25 leading institutional investors and asset managers of the UNEP FI Property Working Group […]

Integrating Natural Capital in Risk Assessments

The report, ‘Integrating Natural Capital in Risk Assessments’ is a step-by-step guide to help financial institutions conduct a rapid natural capital risk assessment. The guide has already been piloted by five banks, and complements the recently launched ENCORE tool (Exploring Natural Capital Opportunities, Risks and Exposure), which enables financial institutions to understand and assess their exposure to natural capital risks. The guide helps banks […]

Exploring Natural Capital Opportunities, Risks and Exposure: A practical guide for financial institutions

The world’s first comprehensive tool linking environmental change with its consequences for the economy has been launched by the Natural Capital Finance Alliance (NCFA). The web-based tool, called ENCORE (Exploring Natural Capital Opportunities, Risks and Exposure), will help global banks, investors and insurance firms assess the risks that environmental degradation, such as the pollution of oceans or destruction of […]

Aligning investors with sustainable finance: a focus on the OECD

UNEP FI, the PRI and The Generation Foundation have published a report focusing on the policy work of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on sustainable finance and investment. This briefing makes recommendations to the OECD to align policy work on the financial sector with globally agreed sustainable development objectives, such as the […]

Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century: France Roadmap

In November 2018, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), and The Generation Foundation in collaboration with Finance for Tomorrow published the Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century: France Roadmap. The roadmap sets out recommendations for the French market to build upon its leadership position and achieve further progress […]

Rethinking Impact to Finance the SDGs: A Position Paper and Call to Action

In Rethinking Impact to Finance the SDGs, we explore new ways to significantly decrease the cost of achieving the SDGs and stimulate business and financing solutions at scale. Social, economic and environmental impacts have an as-yet under explored potential to generate financial revenues: impact-based business models can be developed, with the delivery of positive impacts […]

The Impact Radar

The Impact Radar aims to offer a credible and comprehensive set of impact categories that can be integrated with the tools developed to deliver PI finance and contribute to a common frame for the assessment of PI products in the industry. The radar captures the core elements of the SDGs in a way that is […]

Model Framework for Financial Products for Corporates with unspecified use of funds

This Model Framework covers Financial Products for Corporates with unspecified use of funds, i.e. where the funds raised or guarantees issued are used at the Corporate’s discretion, without any specified use. For example: General corporate purpose (GCP) Loans/Overdraft, Corporate Bonds with GCP use of proceeds, Equity (primary & secondary issuance), Off-balance sheet corporate products (e.g. […]

Model Framework for specified use of proceeds

This Positive Impact Initiative Model Framework covers Financial Products where the funds raised or guarantees issued are used for a specific purpose, in this case Project-related finance within the scope of the Equator Principles. For example: project finance transactions, Project-related corporate loans, bridge loans to project finance, project-related transactions supported by Export Credit Agencies (Products […]

UNEP FI Overview January 2017 – June 2018

UNEP FI’s Annual Overview provides a summary of our work during 2017 and the first half of 2018. Read about key initiatives and events across banking, insurance and investment, and explore how your organisation can get involved with UNEP FI’s work. Download here.

A Journey towards a sustainable financial system: Luxembourg Sustainable Finance Roadmap

The aim of this Roadmap is to set a vision and lay the groundwork to establish a comprehensive and far-reaching sustainable finance strategy contributing to the Agenda 2030 and towards the objectives of the Paris Agreement. This Roadmap is ambitious in terms of Luxembourg’s contributions to sustainable development and climate action, it is forward looking […]

How securities regulators can support the Sustainable Development Goals, A sharing of experiences

Developed by a working group of nearly 70 capital market stakeholders, chaired by the Financial Regulatory Authority of Egypt, this report on securities regulation shares experiences and outlines an action plan for regulators wishing to support the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more about Securities Regulators and Sustainable Development here. Download the full report here. About the […]

SSE 2018 Report on Progress

Global challenges – from climate change and gender equality to job creation and poverty reduction – require multilateral and multi-stakeholder solutions. To help address these international challenges, the Sustainable Stock Exchange serves as a platform for promoting good practice among stock exchanges, which are uniquely positioned to influence their markets in ways that few other […]

Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century – Untangling Stakeholders for Broader Impact: ERISA Plans and ESG Incorporation

In September 2018, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), and The Generation Foundation in collaboration with Godeke Consulting released Untangling Stakeholders for Broader Impact: ERISA Plans and ESG Incorporation. This report explores the United States private sector retirement market that is regulated through the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of […]