Partnership between United Nations Environment and the global financial sector to promote sustainable finance
This briefing paper looks to the ocean, addressing the financial risks and environmental impacts associated with the exploration and production of offshore oil and gas. It takes into consideration the realm of environmental, financial, reputational, regulatory, operational and physical risks associated with these activities, and discusses how financial institutions should engage with and respond to this sector.
This report aims to assist financial institutions wishing to embark on the journey of assessing, measuring, and reporting on their nature-related risks with a sectoral focus. The study also guides the development of potential tools and data collection methodologies, focusing on high-dependency and high-impact sectors as priorities for initial action, providing an overview of the…
This report identifies the availability and suitability of publicly available nature-related data to support financial decision-making in five case-study countries. Its findings and recommendations aim to inform data needs for successful disclosure frameworks, such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), to be established. The challenges and recommendations are also of relevance for governments…
This report presents the results of a corporate sector market readiness assessment on their journey to acknowledge nature-related risk management – and how ready they are to embed these risks and opportunities to operations, towards a consistent reporting and disclosure approach. The report aims to create a clear understanding of the state of play of…
Dredging and marine aggregate extraction are highly damaging to seabed habitats but are needed for a number of sectors that can contribute to a sustainable blue economy. This briefing paper highlights financial, reputational and regulatory risks associated with dredging, setting out a pathway for positive change, and supporting a transition to more responsible practices.
A new report from Global Canopy and UNEP FI identifies key challenges that corporates and financial institutions face in assessing, managing and reporting on their nature-related risks. The report’s recommendations are intended to inform the forthcoming global framework for nature-related risk management and disclosures currently being developed by the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). Download…
A science-based, actionable toolkit for banks, insurers and investors to align decision-making with a sustainable blue economy. The Diving Deep Guidance helps financial institutions to break the pollution cycle, including plastics and other solid waste, and manage the impacts of coastal infrastructure projects such as seawalls, while exploring the potential of nature-based solutions including mangroves and reefs. Featuring inspirational photographs by Cristina Mittermeier.
The Financial Sector Guide for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which is geared towards all financial institutions, stakeholders and partners, aims to mobilise financial institutions to ensure a nature positive world, by fostering better understanding of nature’s importance for the financial sector, providing insight on the CBD process. The guide is the first of its kind between the CBD and partner organizations, and the financial sector.
The Guidance on Biodiversity Target Setting is designed for PRB signatories, allowing banks to take a systematic approach to setting and achieving biodiversity targets. The guidance presents three real-life case studies, and includes a detailed how-to guide and has been developed by 30 PRB signatories, UNEP FI, UNEP-WCMC and the Science-based Targets Network (SBTN).
Based on the market-first practical guidance for financial institutions, Turning the Tide, UNEP FI’s recommended exclusions list for a sustainable blue economy provides financial institutions with an overview of activities to exclude from financing due to their damaging impact on the ocean and high risk.
A practical guide for financial institutions to lead a sustainable ocean recovery This guidance is a market-first practical toolkit for financial institutions to pivot their activities towards financing a sustainable blue economy. Designed for banks, insurers and investors, the guidance outlines how to avoid and mitigate environmental and social risks and impacts, as well as…
The Rising Tide report maps the current state of ocean finance revealing trends in lending, underwriting and investment activities which impact the ocean. It reveals the frameworks and financial instruments that are successfully addressing ocean sustainability and highlights new opportunities and gaps in the market. It looks across five major ocean-linked sectors chosen for their established…
This 3-year progress report provides an update on how the Good Growth Partnership is cultivating sustainability in commodity supply chains, The Good Growth Partnership convenes a wide range of stakeholders and initiatives throughout soy, beef and palm oil supply chains to reduce deforestation and enable sustainable development. It joins forces with national and regional leaders…
Download our report providing a pathway for financial institutions to start setting biodiversity targets in 9 critical sectors, and contribute to halting and reversing the biodiversity crisis.
Plastic is an increasingly high-profile threat to our climate, ocean, wildlife and human health as it becomes widespread both in the ocean and on land, where it is impacting our ecosystems and threatening lives and human health. Plastics also make a direct contribution to climate change: their energy-intensive manufacture from fossil fuels, recycling and incineration…
The Good Growth Partnership convenes a wide range of stakeholders and initiatives throughout soy, beef and palm oil supply chains to reduce deforestation and enable sustainable development. Since its inception in 2017, the Good Growth Partnership has brought together a growing coalition of committed changemakers to achieve greater results throughout its focal commodity supply chains…
World Heritage Sites are recognised for their unparalleled beauty, global significance and/or biological diversity and the important economic, social and environmental benefits they provide to people. They are a source of inspiration and contribute to human well-being. However, almost half of all natural World Heritage Sites across the globe are threatened by industrial activities and…
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…
Pirate fishing—also known as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing—exposes insurers to legal, financial and reputational risks, but also puts food security and jobs in danger while destroying marine habitats and ocean life. Financially, the colossal cost of illegal fishing on the global economy is estimated to be between USD 10 billion and 23.5 billion…
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…