UNEP FI and the PRI provide an updated look at Fiduciary duty in the 21st Century with the release of its final report. In 2014, the PRI, UNEP FI and additional UN partners identified the misinterpretation of fiduciary duties as the primary barrier to environmental, social and governance (ESG) incorporation in investment practice. The Fiduciary […]

Building on the outcomes of the G20 Global Summit on Financing Energy Efficiency, Innovation and Clean Technology which was held in Tokyo on June 12 2019, the G20 Energy Efficiency Finance Task Group (G20 EEFTG) has collated leading practices by financial institutions and participating member countries in scaling up the energy efficiency investment market to […]

Asset owners of the UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance have committed to lead the global investment industry in driving economies to carbon neutrality by 2050. Announced at the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit on September 23rd, 2019, the Alliance members commit to transitioning their investment portfolios to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, consistent with a […]

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 […]

Tokyo, Japan, 12 June 2019 – At the G20 Global Summit on Financing Energy Efficiency, Innovation and Clean Technology, the CEOs of major pension funds, insurance companies, and senior financiers joined G20 policy-makers in assessing how to close the world´s energy efficiency investment gap. The summit is an official side-event to the 2019 Japanese Presidency of […]

Twenty institutional investors from eleven countries convened by the UN Environment Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) today launched comprehensive investor guidance to help assess how climate change and climate action could impact investor portfolios around the world. These assessments enable investors to be more transparent about their climate-related risks and opportunities in line with the recommendations […]

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 […]

A legal framework for the consideration of sustainability impact in investor decision-making Within the next decade, assessing and accounting for the sustainability impact of investment decision-making needs to be a core part of investment activity. In other words, consideration of how the investment decision affects sustainability issues, not just how sustainability issues affect the investment […]

The International Organisation of Pension Supervisors (IOPS) has opened a public consultation on Supervisory Guidelines on the integration of ESG factors in the investment and risk management of pension funds. The consultation is open for feedback until 11 March 2019. IOPS is an independent international standard-setting body representing those involved in the supervision of private pension arrangements. […]

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 […]

  On Saturday, following two weeks marked by dramatic rhetoric and intense negotiations over legal language, close to 200 Governments bridged a deep global divide and agreed on the set of rules meant to steer countries worldwide in implementing the historic 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. UNEP FI’s Climate Lead, Remco Fischer gives more […]

Global investors today called on governments around the world to step up action to address climate change. 415 investors, with $32 trillion in assets-under-management, are behind the call-to-action as signatories of the 2018 Global Investor Statement to Governments on Climate Change.   The ‘Global Investor Statement’ reaches global leaders as the United Nation’s COP24 global […]

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 […]

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 […]

The latest report from the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative outlines an action plan for regulators wishing to support the Sustainable Development Goals. With 35 examples from 19 markets, the report provides a snapshot of what is happening around the world today. The regulators report was released during the SSE Global Dialogue, which was held during UNCTAD’s […]

Partner organizations launch first-of-its-kind global agenda, to demonstrate and accelerate investor-led action critical to achieving goals of the Paris Agreement

Finance sector commits to working together to develop Sustainable Finance Roadmaps for Australia & New Zealand Finance sector organisations – including banking, insurance and investment industries, representing over 300 institutions with $10 trillion in assets – have today released a joint statement in support of a sustainable financial system for Australia and New Zealand.

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 […]

On May 25th 2018, the Brazilian National Monetary Council (CMN) published Resolution CMN 4.661/2018, which revised the norm that governs occupational pension funds’ investments. The new norm requires pension funds’ asset managers to consider environment, social and governance (ESG) risks as part of their investment decision making process. This regulatory improvement was one of the […]

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 […]

‘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 […]

Pensions, by their very nature, have to be sustainable. After all, they’re supposed to provide a measure of long-term certainty in an uncertain world. Much of the world’s working population counts on this basic premise as they seek to build a nest egg for later life. Rather than stash their cash under the mattress, they […]

At the UK Green Finance Summit in São Paolo on April 26th, Marcelo Seraphim, UNEP FI/PRI Senior Policy Consultant, stressed the importance of a broad adoption of stewardship codes by the Brazilian financial market. This is in line with the recommendations set out in the report Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century and with the […]

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 […]

  QUEBEC, 4 JUNE 2018 – As leaders gather in Canada for the 2018 G7 Summit, 288 institutional investors with $26 trillion in assets under management urged governments to step up their ambition and action to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, support investment in the low-carbon transition, and improve climate-related financial disclosures. “The […]

  Aligning investor duties with long-term sustainability goals is a prerequisite for balanced, inclusive and green economic development. This conclusion of the report on Investor Duties and ESG integration in China, co-authored by the PRI, UNEP FI, The Generation Foundation and the International Institute of Green Finance of Beijing, also marks the beginning of a new […]

  Beijing, 28 March 2018 The United Nations Environment Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), The Generation Foundation, and the International Institute of Green Finance (IIGF) today published the report – Investor Duties and ESG Integration in China, available in English and Chinese 中文. Building on the recent achievements of the […]

            UN Environment Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), together with nine investors representing close to US$ 3 trillion have formed a leadership group to promote action on climate transparency by the investor community. They will work with UNEP FI towards a first set of climate-related investor disclosures in alignment with the […]

  The Investor Agenda will bring together and promote the key actions that investors around the world are taking to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and manage the risks of climate change. UNEP FI and six of its strategic global Partners – Asia Investor Group on Climate Change, CDP, Ceres, Investor Group on Climate Change, Institutional Investors […]

The European Union High Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance (HLEG) launched its final report in Brussels on 31 January. Under the leadership of UNEP FI Co-Chair Christian Thimann, Group Head of Regulation, Sustainability and Insurance Foresight at AXA Group, it aims to put achieving a sustainable financial system at the heart of financial reform […]

Nomura Real Estate Asset Management Co., Ltd. (NOREAM) has recently joined UNEP FI, becoming the 11th member of the Japan Group. President & CEO Ambe Norio said, “While seeking the sustainable improvement of mid- and long-term performance, acting with fiduciary responsibility, and increasing ESG investment, our company manages a number of funds including the Nomura […]

12 December, 2017 In the latest demonstration of institutional investors’ commitment to taking action on climate change, asset owner La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), as well as asset managers Sarasin & Partners and Latin America-based SURA Asset Management have today joined the United Nations’ Portfolio Decarbonization Coalition (PDC). With the addition of […]

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 […]

Meeting alongside the United Nations climate change summit (COP23), capital market leaders from around the world gathered to share ideas for promoting green finance in alignment with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. Convened by the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative and hosted by the Luxembourg Green Exchange alongside the UN climate […]

The 3rd Latin American Conference on Responsible Investments (IRlatam2017) will take place on November 21st from 8:30 am to 13:00 at Centro Parque, Santiago de Chile. On behalf of UNEP FI, Carolina López will present on “Positive impact financing: A new business and financing paradigm for sustainable development”.

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 […]

Former Vice President and Chairman of Generation Investment Management, Al Gore, introduces PRI, UNEP FI and The Generation Foundation’s Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century Programme, which seeks to update conceptions of fiduciary duty and in doing so create the conditions for a more sustainable global economy. The project finds that, far from being a […]

September 2017 The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) are partnering with the International Institute of Green Finance (IIGF) of the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing on a joint research project on the theme of Investor Obligations and Duties and ESG Integration. Building […]

Energy efficiency has been sitting at the core of sustainability discussions within the G20 for several years, and has emerged as a key consensus area across the G20 countries. UNEP FI’s Martin Schoenberg provides his take on what the recent G20 summit means for energy efficiency investment going forward, and the role of the G20 Energy […]

The PRI, UNEP FI and The Generation Foundation have published the Germany Roadmap which builds on the report Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century.

On the back of increasing momentum towards green finance and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investment in Japan, the Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan established dedicated working groups and has been facilitating discussion amongst experts over the last two years. Two reports were released earlier this year, and now the reports are available […]

The PRI, The Generation Foundation and UNEP FI have launched a series of roadmaps as part of the Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century initiative. The publications are the culmination of extensive consultation with regulators, investors, policy makers and attorneys across the countries. They make a series of recommendations to enable the market-wide adoption of ESG integration. The Japan roadmap makes recommendations […]

8 March, 2017 Less than 5% of CEOs at large, listed companies are women, and investors have an important role to play in engaging not only with companies, but also stock exchanges and policymakers on gender equality. At stock exchanges around the world today, on International Women’s Day, opening and closing bells will ring out […]

February 23, 2017 Recent environmental and corporate governance failures in Brazil and their economic impact have focused the attention of investors, regulators and policymakers more closely on corporate governance issues and the need for greater transparency in financial markets. In response to these concerns, the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), UNEP FI and The Generation […]

Paris, 30 January 2017

Today, 19 leading global banks and investors totaling $6.6 trillion in assets, launched the Principles for Positive Impact Finance at an event in Paris. The programme of the event is available here.

Read the press release in English and in French.

                January 2017 The PRI, UNEP FI and The Generation Foundation have launched the Canada roadmap for Fiduciary Duty. The roadmap is the culmination of extensive consultation with regulators, investors, policy makers and attorneys across Canada. It makes a series of recommendations to enable the market-wide adoption of ESG integration. The recommendations address the following […]

January 24, 2017 In the latest demonstration of institutional asset owners’ commitment to climate action, New York State Common Retirement Fund, the third largest public pension fund in the US with $184.5 billion in assets, has joined the Portfolio Decarbonization Coalition. The Common Retirement Fund is the first major US pension fund to join the Coalition’s 28 […]

  UNEP FI is very pleased to welcome its first Singapore-based member, City Developments Limited (CDL), one of Singapore’s largest companies by market capitalization. CDL is an international real estate and hotel conglomerate, with a track record of over 50 years in real estate development, investment and management. As one of Singapore’s largest commercial landlords, CDL […]

On Thursday 19 January 2017, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, UNEP FI member ANT Financial Services and UN Environment launched the ‘Green Digital Finance Alliance’ a ground-breaking initiative to harness digital technologies in catalyzing financing that addresses global environmental challenges. Financing sustainable development is one of the greatest challenge of our times. To […]

Chinese online payment provider Ant Financial joins UNEP FI Ant Financial Services Group has become the first Fintech company to join UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative’s network of more than 200 financial institution signatories. Ant Financial’s signing of the UNEP FI Statement of Commitment by Financial Institutions on Sustainable Development represents the online payments services providers’ recognition of the role of […]

December, 2016 UNEP FI, PRI and The Generation Foundation have launched the Australia roadmap, following consultation with investors, policy makers, lawyers and in collaboration with the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI). The roadmap makes a series of recommendations covering both policy and practice that will allow a fiduciary to fully integrate Environmental, Social and […]

The Korea Sustainability Investing Forum together with UNEP FI, Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), UN Global Compact Korea Network and BNP Paribas, co-hosted the launch of the ‘Investor Obligations and Duties in Six Asian Markets’ report in South Korea. In addition to South Korea, the report looks into the fiduciary duties in China, Hong Kong, […]

The 3rd Symposium on the Paris Agreement and ESG in Real Estate Investments was hosted by the Institute for Building Environment and Energy Conservation (IBEC) and jointly-hosted by Japan Sustainable Building Consortium (JSBC), UNEP FI and Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). Nearly 200 experts who engage in construction, real estate and asset management industries participated […]

24th October, 2016, Dubai, UAE – Stock exchanges play a crucial role in driving the growing green economy which will be so vital to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. Ahead of the UNEP FI Global Roundtable, Dubai Financial Market (DFM) organized a special bell-ringing ceremony underlining DFM’s commitment to promote the sustainability of stock exchanges. […]

UNEP FI, PRI and The Generation Foundation launch the report Investor Obligations and Duties in Six Asian Markets. Based on over 50 interviews with policy makers, investors and stakeholders, the report analyses investment practice and investor obligations and duties in six Asian markets: China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea. Despite growing awareness […]

The United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative hosted its fifth Global Dialogue in Singapore, which brought together stock exchange CEOs, institutional investors and companies along with Singapore’s Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, H.E. Masagos Zulkifli. During the event, the SSE released its 2016 Report on Progress. With 59 exchanges partnering with the […]

UNEP FI and its partners PRI and The Generation Foundation launched the Statement as a way to address many of the misconceptions that still exist around investor duties and obligations. It points to weaknesses in international and national policy frameworks as a barrier for investors to take account of ESG issues in their investment processes, […]

48 hours before more than 130 world leaders are expected to travel to New York to sign the Paris Agreement, organisations that collectively represent more than 400 institutional investors with USD 24 trillion of assets under management have called on world leaders to not only sign but accede to the Paris Agreement and implement it […]

The project will engage asset owners, asset managers and policy makers across national and international jurisdictions to harmonise a global understanding of fiduciary duty which incorporates sustainability. The project will focus on three primary objectives: To encourage governments and regulatory agencies in the eight jurisdictions covered in the 2015 report (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Japan, […]

Join UNEP FI and the PRI for the London final report launch of the Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century programme on Friday, November 22, at 1500 GMT, hosted by The Generation Foundation.

The Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century programme was launched in 2016 to end the debate on whether fiduciary duty is a legitimate barrier to the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in investment practice and decision-making. Over the past four years, the programme has produced extensive evidence on the subject and has advocated for global policy reform to clarify fiduciaries’ duties to their beneficiaries.

UNEP Finance Initiative together with the Japanese Principles for Financial Action (PFA), a Japan nation-wide sustainable finance forum, held a seminar on ESG investments in real estate. Taking the opportunity of the visit to Japan by the UNEP FI’s Property Working Group Co-Chair Anna Murray, Vice President, Sustainable Investing, BentallGreenOak, the Working Group members in […]

Join UNEP FI and the PRI to discuss the evolution to the modern interpretation of fiduciary duty, which includes the consideration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues – from a legal case to regulatory clarification.

Join UNEP FI and the PRI along with senior policymakers, regulatory affairs professionals and investment professionals to discuss responsible investment policy reforms in the US and around the world.

The webinar will present the key findings from the survey and discuss how UNEP FI is working to shift finance sector practices toward greater climate and ESG ambition.

UNEP FI is pleased to support this annual two-day conference which provides a unique opportunity to learn, share and debate responsible investment issues with 700+ investment professionals from across the globe. Engage with Europe’s largest investors on key themes affecting local markets and the rest of the world. Thought-leaders from across the institutional investment sector as well as academic researchers will come together to debate key issues.

Financial institutions and journalists are invited to attend an event to hear the experiences of investors from a pilot project implementing the recommendations of the TCFD. Come and find out more about the tools that will help investors perform scenario analysis and calculate the risks and opportunities presented by climate change.

Co-hosted by UNEP FI and IPEEC, and as an official side event to the G20 Presidency of Japan, the G20 Global Summit on Financing Energy Efficiency, Innovation and Clean Technology will be held in Tokyo, Japan on June 12th. Join fellow financial institutions and senior G20 policy-makers in addressing the urgency of scaling up energy efficiency investment to deliver on the world’s agreed policy objectives for a clean energy transition.

The Sustainable Investment Forum Europe will take place on 12 March in Paris. This must-attend forum will convene over 300 asset owners and managers, ratings agencies, banks, UN and Government policymakers, investors, development banks, think tanks, and NGOs committed to driving forward the sustainable finance agenda.

UNEP FI has recently published its Positive Impact Real Estate Investment Framework, part of a suite of resources to address the SDG financing gap and shift financing practices so that environmental, social and economic impacts are fully considered, intended and measured in investment activities. This webinar will provide an overview of the Framework, and include presentations from practitioners using an impact-based approach in their investment strategies and acquisition and management.

The Sustainable Investment Forum North America, held in partnership with UNEP Finance Initiative, is the premier meeting space for sustainable finance professionals.

Back for its 3rd edition in September 2018 during Climate Week NYC, the forum will welcome over 300 attendees representing asset owners and managers, banks, development institutions, policymakers, think tanks and NGOs looking to drive the sustainability agenda.

The UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and collaborators (RICS, PRI, Global Investor Coalition) is developing an impact-based investment framework for real estate to address the SDG financing gap. UNEP FI’s Property Working Group has issued a discussion paper which introduces a positive impact investment framework and requests feedback on the opportunities and challenges in investing […]

In partnership with the BrightTalk ESG summit, UNEP FI will be presenting updates on three work streams related to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the SDGs. Financial institutions have a key role to play in implementing the world’s agreed goals.

UNEP FI, the PRI, The Generation Foundation, and the International Institute of Green Finance (IIGF) invite you to the launch of the report on ‘Investor Duties and ESG Integration in China,’ hosted by BNP Paribas. The project team and key contributors will present the main findings and recommendations of the report on how clarifying the role of ESG integration in investor obligations and duties can contribute to achieving China’s long-term vision of balanced, inclusive and sustainable development.

Building on the success of its Forum in New York, Climate Action is bringing the Sustainable Investment Forum to Europe in March 2018 in partnership with UNEP FI.
The European Forum will welcome 250+ high-level decision-makers from the finance community, European governments and think tanks to meet, network, share ideas and discuss concrete solutions to the current challenges of the European and global climate finance market.

UNEP FI  and the PRI will host a webinar on the European Commission’s public consultation on investor duties (fiduciary duties) and sustainability on Friday, 8 December at 10am GMT/11am CET. The consultation builds on the EU High Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance’s interim report, which recommends greater clarification by the EU in this area. […]

In collaboration with partner organisations, UNEP FI will co-covene the symposium on “Positive Impact in Real Estate Sector” as part of its Asia Pacific Regional Round Table, to be held in Dec in Tokyo.

Roundtable on Investor Obligations and Duties and ESG Integration

北京圆桌会议：中国的投资者责任和义务以及ESG整合

The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and The Generation Foundation invite you to an Expert Policy Roundtable on ‘Investor Obligations and Duties and ESG Integration,’ hosted by BNP Paribas. Building on the recent achievements of the national Green Finance initiative in China, this event aims to discuss the development of an investment and regulatory environment that promotes consideration of financially material environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, consistent with investor obligations and duties.

Roundtable on Investor Obligations and Duties and ESG Integration

上海圆桌会议：中国的投资者责任和义务以及ESG整合

The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and The Generation Foundation invite you to an Expert Policy Roundtable on ‘Investor Obligations and Duties and ESG Integration,’ hosted by BNP Paribas. Building on the recent achievements of the national Green Finance initiative in China, this event aims to discuss the development of an investment and regulatory environment that promotes consideration of financially material environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, consistent with investor obligations and duties.

The Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century Japan Roadmap is to be launched by Mr. Takejiro Sueyoshi, Special Advisor to UN Environment Finance Initiative in the Asia Pacific Region at the RI Asia conference in Tokyo.

The members of the Portfolio Decarbonization Coalition (PDC), a UNEP FI-convened platform of 30 leading investors worldwide committed to taking bold portfolio action in response to climate change, are convening this week in Stockholm, at the invitation and under the auspices of Scandinavian pension company Storebrand/SPP, a member of the PDC Steering Committee.

22 November, 2016 | Tokyo, Japan On the heels of the historic Paris Climate Agreement to limit global average temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, expectations  are growing for the building industry – which accounts for 40% of global energy consumption and 30% of global emissions – and for real estate investors to take ESG issues into […]

12 Jul 2016 | Mumbai, India14 Jul 2016 | Shanghai China19 Jul 2016 | Hong Kong, China The PRI, the UNEP Finance Initiative and The Generation Foundation invite you to roundtables on ‘Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century: Focus on Asia,’ hosted by BNP Paribas. The purpose of this project is to better understand the […]

29 June 2016 | 28 Place de la Bourse, 75002 Paris, France You are invited to the global launch of the statement into investor obligations and duties in Paris on Wednesday 29 June at Palais Brongniart. Following the launch, investors will be invited to support the statement from across the PRI and UNEP FI signatory […]

4 April 2016 | London, UK Building on the findings of Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century, published in September 2015, UNEP FI, PRI and The Generation Foundation have begun a three year project to integrate sustainability into investors’ fiduciary duties. The project will focus on three primary objectives: Clarify the scope of fiduciary duty […]

A follow up framework for action to the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement 8 February 2016 | London, UK Six of the world’s largest investor networks have come together to create a concise, actionable framework for Real Estate investors to help make sense of existing ESG guidance and provide a follow up framework for action to […]

8-10 September 2015 | ICC, Excel Centre, London UNEP FI is set to play a key role at the 2015 ‘PRI in Person’ conference in London. This three day conference will bring together investors from across the world to discuss the full range of responsible investment issues and challenges. UNEP FI will provide key inputs […]

25 August 2015 | Webinar Two UNEP FI webinars on Energy Efficiency Financing , hosted by the Principles for Responsible Investment, are to take place on Tuesday 25 August. This pair of webinars will introduce the conclusions of the Energy Efficiency Institution Group (EEFIG) and present its ongoing work and support for the G20 Energy […]

Integrating environment, social & governance perspectives in investment decisions Training program for Indian financial institutions Seminar Room, 19th floor, PJ tower, BSE Ltd., Dalal Street, Fort, Mumbai, India28-29 November 2014 Need for capacity building in environment, social and governance Globally it is increasingly evidenced that one of the major factors for NPAs is the lack […]

17 September 2014 | Geneva UNEP FI Participation at UNCTAD TDB 61st Session Charles Anderson talk on panel (MP3 audio: 12 minutes)

Date: Wednesday, 7 May 2014, 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm Hosted by RICS Venue: Lecture Hall, RICS Headquarters Parliament Square, 12 Great George Street, London, UK The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is pleased to invite you to attend the presentation of a new publication Sustainability Metrics: Translation and impact on property investment and management. […]

Date: Tuesday, 15 April 2014, 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm Hosted by Renovate Europe Campaign Venue: Rond Point Schuman, 6 – 8th floor -1040 Brussels The Renovate Europe Campaign is pleased to invite you to attend a double presentation of new publications: the first, ‘Commercial Real Estate: Unlocking the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Investment Opportunity’, by […]

Relevant Materials   Commercial Real Estate: Unlocking the energy efficiency retrofit investment opportunity A briefing on why investors should invest in building retrofit opportunities. Press Release Webinar         , News           , Date: Wednesday, 26 February 2014, 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm Hosted by Deutsche Bank Asset & […]

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Visits the NYSE and Rings The Closing Bell® to Commemorate NYSE Euronext’s Participation in the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) Initiative United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to commemorate NYSE Euronext joining the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative, which explores how […]

Relevant Materials   Tomorrow’s Capital Markets         ,29 November 2012 | London, UK There is shared and widespread concern over how financial markets are working. As economic prospects remain uncertain there has been a breakdown of trust and confidence. The relationship between business and society has become corrosive, weakening business’s license to […]

Webinar Recording   , Webinar | 25 October, 17:00 PM CEST The concept of Responsible Property Investment (RPI) is gaining increasing prominence and acceptance within the real estate investment world. Consideration of ESG principles within property investment strategies can be complex and challenging. The range of issues that need to be considered can be wide-ranging, […]

Webinar Recording   , Webinar | 3 October, 2:00 PM CET Physical impacts of climate change continue to intensify and grow in frequency with increasingly disruptive implications on socio-economic systems. Public perception and prioritisation of climate change mitigation is hence expected to sharpen. In the face of these and other such emerging challenges adopting responsible […]

Webinar | 25 July, 9:00 AM CEST How can the environmental performance of a building affect its value, rental and sale price? This webinar reviews the current available academic evidence relating to this question. Property investors will discuss questions such as: How relevant is the current academic research have for practitioners? What research does practitioners […]

, Webinar | 17 November 2011, 10:00 – 11:00, CET The bulk of GHG emissions attributable to buildings emanate from the existing stock. To achieve energy saving and emissions reduction targets in the EU, US and elsewhere, a coherent set of polices is needed to drive responsible behaviors across key stakeholders and over the life-cycle […]

, Webinar | 24 February 2011, 15:00 – 16:00, CET Physical impacts of climate change pose substantial risks to future property values whilst rising energy prices are increasing building occupation costs and influencing choice. In the face of these and other such emerging challenges adopting responsible property investment approaches by integrating application of ESG issues […]

Webinar | 4 November 2010, 9:30 – 10:30 AM CET Recent years have witnessed a proliferation of environmental labels, standards and metrics across the commercial property world. Critics have suggested that the property investors are increasingly becoming confused and off-put by the nearly 200 building labelling systems now in existence around the globe. While they […]

Webinar | 1 June 2010, 10:00 – 11:00 AM CET Following the release of the UNEP FI PWG report, Owner-Tenant Engagement in Responsible Property Investing, this webinar will cover the range of possibilities for tenant engagement. In particular, why is owner-tenant engagement key to implementing a successful RPI strategy? Why is collaboration instrumental to retrofitting […]

18 November, 2009 | Mumbai, India Sustainability and its ever increasing demand across the stakeholder spectrum is changing the way the Construction and Real Estate sector conducts business. Sustainability and its reporting is witnessing an accelerated acceptance across geographies due to a realization that the practice of sustainability not only helps the environment but can […]

, Sustainability and global property portfolios Workshop 2223 October15.40-17.00 Property investing is a multi-trillion dollar worldwide industry that can have profound positive or negative effects on environmental, social and cultural goals. The built environment produces around 40 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions; how should the trillions of dollars be invested so that the […]

04 November 2008 | Johannesburg, South Africa In collaboration with Despite the surge in CSR reporting, ESG analysis and responsible investment activities in recent years, the corporate valuation mechanisms of capital markets appear to stubbornly remain indifferent with respect to the sustainability-related success or -failure of traded companies. Are market makers still unconvinced of the […]

31 October 2008, 0830-1200 | Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL Just over two years after the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) were launched by the UN Secretary-General in New York, the initiative has garnered the support of over 400 institutions representing more than US$ 15 trillion in assets. The PRI, an investor […]

30 October 2008 | Vienna, Austria In collaboration with Despite the surge in CSR reporting, ESG analysis and responsible investment activities in recent years, the corporate valuation mechanisms of capital markets appear to stubbornly remain indifferent with respect to the sustainability-related success or -failure of traded companies. Are market makers still unconvinced of the financial […]

Breakfast Seminars with UNEP FI, PRI, Sustainable Investment Research Platform and ASSET4 1 October 2008 | Oslo, Norway 2 October 2008 | Stockholm, Sweden 3 October 2008 | Copenhagen, Denmark The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) Report on Progress 2008 states that Principle 1 — “We will incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues into […]

In collaboration with Hosted by                 31 July 2008 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Despite the surge in CSR reporting, ESG analysis and responsible investment activities in recent years, the corporate valuation mechanisms of capital markets appear to stubbornly remain indifferent with respect to the sustainability-related success or -failure […]

11 July 2008 | New York City, US Despite the surge in CSR reporting, ESG analysis and responsible investment activities in recent years, the corporate valuation mechanisms of capital markets appear to stubbornly remain indifferent with respect to the sustainability-related success or -failure of traded companies. Are market makers still unconvinced of the financial materiality […]

Premium Sponsors             ,,Dialogue on sustainable finance, responsible investment and corporate citizenship – today and tomorrow 17-18 June 2008 | Seoul, Republic of Korea UNEP FI jointly hosted a special two-day conference in Seoul, Republic of Korea, with the Principles for Responsible Investment and the UN Global Compact. The conference […]

13-16 May 2008 | Singapore The city-state of Singapore, one of Asia’s tiger economies, was the venue of the Merrill Lynch Asia Rising Stars Conference, “An Asian Conference Week”. Over 100 speakers participated in 60 panel discussions and presentations encompassing a wide array of topics: the global economy and market dynamics, the US and Asian […]

23-25 April 2008 | Montreux, Switzerland Amid the picturesque Alps and Lake Léman, responsible investment was one of the key topics at the European Pensions & Investments Summit, a testament to its increasing recognition in mainstream investment, along with other major themes of the Summit such as asset allocation, alternative investments, pension solvency, pension plan […]

21, 22 January 2008 | London, UK 12 March 2008 | Montreux, Switzerland Despite the surge in CSR reporting, ESG analysis and responsible investment activities in recent years, the corporate valuation mechanisms of capital markets appear to stubbornly remain indifferent with respect to the sustainability-related success or -failure of traded companies. Are market makers still […]

23 March 2007 | São Paulo, Brazil The United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and the Brazilian Association of Investment Banks (ANBID) are joining forces in order to initiate open discussions and awareness-raising on the topic of sustainable investment in the context of the Brazilian private banking sector. At this initial roundtable, kindly […]

7-8 December 2006 | Paris, France The official launch of the Property Working Group (PWG) was kindly hosted by Caisse des dépôts et consignations, Co-Chair of the Working Group. Seventeen organisations were present, UNEP FI signatories and newcomers, to discuss strategies for the coming year and development of the Responsible Property Investment case studies project. […]

15 November, 2006 | Denver, Colorado The US Green Building Council hosted the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Denver, Colorado. The PWG’s Advisor, Dr Gary Pivo (Professor, University of Arizona), took part in a panel entitled “Global Responses to Climate Change.” Other panelists included representatives from the UNEP Sustainable Building and Construction Initiative (SBCI), […]

29-30 Jun 2006 | London The two-day meeting was kindly hosted by Prudential plc, Co-Chair of the Property Work Stream. Participants presented their institution’s policies and activities relating to sustainability. The results of the member survey on responsible property investment best practice were discussed and the Work Stream’s focus, objectives and future projects were developed. […]

1 February, 2005 | Paris, France The purpose of the 1st February meeting was to identify areas of mutual interest and possible collaboration for institutional investors on the issues of both climate risk and economic opportunity. Documents Meeting agenda (revised 27 January) (PDF: 97 KB) Participant list (revised 1 March) (PDF: 155 KB) Presentations 2005 […]

The Materiality of Social, Environmental and Corporate Governance Issues to Equity Pricing 24 June, 2004 | New York, USA The UN Global Compact Leaders Summit was hosted by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to mark the fourth anniversary of the creation of the Compact. The UN Global Compact is a set of voluntary principles, launched […]

,A United Nations Investor Roundtable 16 June 2004 | Paris, France On 16 June 2004, the UNEP FI Asset Management Working Group held an Investor Roundtable ‘Implementing Responsible Investment’ in Paris, hosted by Groupama Asset Management. The 40 participants included pension funds from across Europe, consultants, analysts and representatives from the member firms of the […]

,17 September, 2003 | Washington, DC, USA Overview The UN Global Compact and UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) hosted a workshop on 17 September, 2003 in Washington, DC to develop a strategy for raising awareness within the mainstream financial community to the value of sustainable investment. Introduction ‘Global Compact Policy Dialogue 2002’ was held on the […]

,8 January, 2003 | Paris, France Representatives from various rating agencies came together in Paris on 8 January, 2003 to discuss the issue of non-financial (sustainability / qualitative) risk and its implications for the rating industry. This group of senior executives representing credit, equity, governance, environmental and ethical rating agencies were joined by regulators to […]

,An Expert Workshop on Sustainability Oriented Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship 7-8 June, 2002 | Fontainebleau, France Solutions to environmental and social problems (be they technologies, products or services) are being touted as the next wave of ‘hopeful monsters’ for investors. Is such enthusiasm for the business benefits of sustainability justified? If so, what is the […]

A new report from UNEP FI and the PRI launched in New York on Monday 21 October 2019 at an investor roundtable. This latest report, which affirms that fiduciary duty requires the incorporation of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes, is the final installment of the four-year Fiduciary Duty […]

    A new joint report by UNEP FI, PRI and SynTao Green Finance, launched in Shanghai on June 5, 2019, provides recommendations for China’s ESG disclosure framework, prepared by its financial regulators. This report is a follow-up from the Investor Duties and ESG Integration in China, and part of the Fiduciary Duty in the […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

In June 2018, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), and The Generation Foundation in collaboration with SIF Ireland, Ireland’s Sustainable and Responsible Investment Forum, released the Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century Ireland Roadmap. The report provides clear recommendations on policy and market changes required to achieve full ESG integration into […]

In June 2018, The United Nations Environment Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), and The Generation Foundation released the Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century Ohio Roadmap. Ohio is often viewed as a microcosm of the United States due to its diverse regions and bellwether political landscape. Like the rest of the […]

In March 2018, The United Nations Environment Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), The Generation Foundation, and the International Institute of Green Finance (IIGF) released Investor Duties and ESG Integration in China. Building on the recent achievements of the national Green Finance initiative in China, the report discusses the development of an […]

Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century concluded in 2015 that there are positive duties to to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in investment processes. This launched a project by UNEP FI, the Principles for Responsible Investment, and The Generation Foundation to end the debate around fiduciary duties and sustainability. Two years into the […]

Meeting alongside the United Nations climate change summit (COP23), capital market leaders from around the world gathered to share ideas for promoting green finance in alignment with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. Convened by the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative and hosted by the Luxembourg Green Exchange alongside the UN climate […]

In September 2017, the PRI, UNEP FI and The Generation Foundation in collaboration with the Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE) published the Canadian Pension Regulation Analysis which builds on the Canada Roadmap of the Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century project. This document provides an international analysis of pension regulation to support the […]

The PRI, UNEP FI and The Generation Foundation have published the Germany Roadmap which builds on the report Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century. Many industry experts involved in this study indicated that ESG integration in Germany is on average less advanced than in neighbouring France, the Netherlands, the UK and Scandinavia. Despite this, momentum […]

The PRI, The Generation Foundation and UNEP FI have launched a series of roadmaps as part of the Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century initiative. The publications are the culmination of extensive consultation with regulators, investors, policy makers and attorneys across the countries. They make a series of recommendations to enable the market-wide adoption of […]

The PRI, The Generation Foundation and UNEP FI have launched a series of roadmaps as part of the Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century initiative. The publications are the culmination of extensive consultation with regulators, investors, policy makers and attorneys across the countries. They make a series of recommendations to enable the market-wide adoption of […]

Gender equality is an issue that impacts everyone, from diversity in boardrooms and at the executive level, to equal opportunities for education. Studies show that empowering women is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do, leading to increases in GDP, higher productivity, return on investments and effective organisations. […]

The Principles for Positive Impact Finance provide guidance for financiers and investors to analyse, monitor and disclose the social, environmental and economic impacts of the financial products and services they deliver. They provide a global framework applicable across different business lines, including retail and wholesale lending, corporate and investment lending, and asset management. The Principles require […]

The PRI, The Generation Foundation and UNEP FI have launched a series of roadmaps as part of the Fiduciary Duty in the 21st Century initiative. The publications are the culmination of extensive consultation with regulators, investors, policy makers and attorneys across the countries. They make a series of recommendations to enable the market-wide adoption of ESG integration. The recommendations address the following core […]

With 59 exchanges partnering with the SSE initiative, over 70% of listed equity markets have made a public commitment to advancing sustainability in their market.

Analysis of investment practice and investor obligations and duties in China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea

UNEP FI and its partners PRI and The Generation Foundation launched the Statement as a way to address many of the misconceptions that still exist around investor duties and obligations. It points to weaknesses in international and national policy frameworks as a barrier for investors to take account of ESG issues in their investment processes, […]

French version

What is PWG, what do we offer and why you should join

Implementing the Paris climate agreement: an action framework

Executive summary

Statements from financial institutions and G20 investors on energy efficiency

French version
Press release

Statement supporting energy efficiency activities and its financing

Published: 2015 | by: UNEPFI, EBRD Statement by Financial Institutions on Energy Efficiency (776 KB | 1 pages)

Aims to end the debate surrounding environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and fiduciary duty
Japanese version/summary
Portuguese summary

Freshfields: 10 years on

How to drive new finance for energy efficiency investments – Final Report covering Buildings, Industry and SMEs
Executive Summary

Policy frameworks for long-term responsible investment

Outline of a new model of corporate governance for sustainability
Versions: Korean Japanese summary
Press Release
Slides

A report on how property managers and investors can use sustainability metrics in their decisions.
Japanese version
Executive Summary
Presentation
Press Release
Flyer
Event Page

How to drive new finance for energy efficiency investments

A briefing on why investors should invest in retrofit opportunities.
Japanese version
Press release
Event page
Webinar

A collection of case studies of leading property investors applying RPI principles within their decision-making.

UNEP FI and a series of partners took the first steps of a project that will evaluate the ability of existing incentives within capital markets to drive sustainability with the launch of a working paper. Tomorrow’s Capital Markets represents the first phase of a long-term effort that aims to scrutinise sustainability the effectiveness of the […]

This study urges the integration of environmental metrics for the property investment industry

Putting a price on global environmental damage
Report summary

Fourth in a series of toolkits for Responsible Property Investment
Japanese version

Summary report: Putting a price on global environmental damage

A tool for companies and investors to better capture ESG performance in company valuation
Executive Summaries
Chinese, French, Portuguese, Spanish

Third in a series of toolkits for Responsible Property Investment
Japanese version

Second in a series of toolkits jointly produced by the UNEP FI Property Working Group and the Responsible Property Investing Center
Japanese version
Version française

Examples of property owner-tenant engagement activities to promote Responsible Property Investment
Japanese version

A comprehensive review of key financial analyst and academic research on climate change.

Executive Summaries
Chinese, English, French, Portuguese

A paper by the Property Working Group

Opportunities to make short and medium term cost savings that help environmental goals are manifold and should continue to be sought and implemented by property owners and occupiers.

A legal roadmap for fiduciaries to operationalise their commitment to responsible investment

Executive Summaries
Chinese, French, Portuguese, Spanish

A comprehensive review of key financial analyst research on climate change

First in a series of toolkits jointly produced by the UNEP FI Property Working Group and the Responsible Property Investing Center
Version française
Japanese version

Review of sustainable building performance indicators and benchmarks

This article, presents the essential differences between Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) in asset classes and in direct property. As a practical note it should help investors apprehend why and how Socially Responsible Property Investment (SRPI) is uniquely different to other “regular” assets. Published: 2009 | by: UNEP FI Article – Responsible Property Investment: Similar Aims, […]

This report presents a collection of case studies that demonstrate the financial and environmental value of responsible property investment and shows best practice with demonstrated financial return.
Japanese version

International best practice examples of leading UNEP FI and PRI signatories on how to apply the Principles for Responsible Investment to property assets.
Japanese version
French version
Contributors and Resources

A collection of responsible investing strategies that investors, asset managers and property managers can implement to improve the ESG performance of a property portfolio, without diluting financial return.
French Version

Key academic and broker research on ESG factors and investment performance

A discussion of the UN Principles of Responsible Investment

Describes how institutional investors are putting to action their commitment to invest responsibly.

Explores the opportunities and barriers of the inclusion of ESG-issues in private banking.

Published: 2006 | by: UNEP FI Proposed Property Working Group Work Programme 2006-2007 (163 KB | 2 pages)

Are environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues material to company value, profitability and share price? And, should they be included in fundamental research, valuation methods and investment processes?

Are mainstream institutional investors legally permitted to integrate environmental, social and governance issues into their investment decision-making and ownership practices?

Executive Summary of joint UNEP FI / WBCSD project

11 sector studies by brokerage house analysts at the request of the UNEP FI Asset Management Working Group

11 sector studies by brokerage house analysts at the request of the UNEP FI Asset Management Working Group

An introduction to the UNEP FI Asset Management Working Group