UNEP FI has over 80 UNEP FI members and 43 supporting institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), across 16 countries. 60 banks are signatories to the Principles for Responsible Banking. Additionally, 19 insurers in the region have signed the Principles for Sustainable Insurance, with a larger group committing to the Bogota Declaration for Sustainable Insurance launched in January 2024.

The most biodiverse region globally, LAC faces significant biodiversity loss, climate change impacts, pollution and inequality issues. Our efforts focus on leveraging the green transition to foster a more equitable society through peer exchange, knowledge-sharing, and implementation support on sustainability topics, including climate adaptation and mitigation, nature-related risks as well as financial health and inclusion. We also support policymakers in developing sustainable finance taxonomies aligned with national objectives to establish clear definitions and a common language for sustainable initiatives.

Regional Highlights
  • UNEP FI Global Roundtable: UNEP FI is bringing the 19th edition of the Global Roundtable to London, to host one of the UN’s largest sustainable finance-focused events during London Climate Action Week (22-26 June). The theme, ‘From Risk to Resilience: Financing the Future’, reflects the growing need across the financial industry to lead with vision, integrity, and impact for a resilient future. For more information, visit this page. 
  • UNEP FI LAC Nature Reporting Preparer Forum: Region-specific sessions in various languages aimed to help banks and insurers to build the capabilities they need to assess and disclose nature-related risks and opportunities in line with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). Members can access full session recordings and reference material in the members’ area. Contact the LAC Regional Team to learn more.

 

Key focus

The workplan for 2026 for the region highlights the following priorities:

We will continue supporting existing members in the implementation of their commitments (PRB, PSI and other UNEP FI initiatives) and develop membership in new jurisdictions. Drawing on years of experience, we facilitate peer-to-peer exchange to advance sustainable finance development and integration at the institutional level.

We are strengthening member participation in UNEP FI global working groups and communities of practice through tailored regional approaches that address LAC-specific contexts, challenges, and opportunities. This includes providing technical support, capacity building, and coordinating with regional banking associations to scale implementation of sustainable finance frameworks.

In 2025-2026, UNEP FI offers the following initiatives with a regional focus:

  • A Community of Practice on Nature & Biodiversity offered in Spanish/Portuguese.
  • A Community of Practice on Climate Change Adaptation Impact Measurement and Information Flows: Supporting financial institutions in assessing physical climate risks and developing adaptation finance strategies aligned with LAC priorities.
  • Nature Reporting Preparer Forum (NRPF): A dedicated community of practice in English, Spanish, and Portuguese focused on TNFD implementation and nature-related financial disclosures. The Forum provides technical guidance, peer learning opportunities, and regional coordination as banks develop nature risk assessment and reporting capabilities. Regional sessions complement global discussions to ensure accessibility and address LAC-specific nature-related risks and opportunities.
  • Community of Practice in Circular Economy: A regional network advancing circular economy integration into financial sector practices. Based on work done with partners and financial institutions across the region, the community facilitates knowledge exchange on key topics including categorization systems for circular economy activities, client engagement strategies, public-private collaboration models, and sector-specific approaches. The platform builds on findings from regional pilot projects to support financial institutions in developing innovative lending products and risk assessment frameworks for the circular transition.

The Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Working Group, led by UNEP FI and key stakeholders, launched the Common Framework for Sustainable Finance taxonomies for LAC in 2023 to support harmonization and interoperability. The second phase of this work, which will include biodiversity-related objectives will be launched in the beginning of 2026.

In Since 2023, UNEP FI, together with strategic partners, has also supported the development, and implementation of sustainable finance taxonomies in Costa Rica, Panamá, Brazil as well as implementation support in Chile in 2025. We work in close collaboration with governments, regulators, financial institutions, and other key stakeholders.

Our LAC team works closely with a growing network of supporters, strategic partners, and allies to amplify impact and accelerate the transition to sustainable finance across the region.

We are committed to leveraging partnerships with banking associations, development finance institutions, multilateral organizations, regulators, and civil society to deliver on UNEP FI objectives. These partnerships are reflected in collaborative projects across the region, from circular economy pilots to taxonomy development and nature-related disclosure initiatives, demonstrating the power of coordinated action.

Our team is working diligently to strengthen partnerships, facilitate peer exchange, and create platforms for collective action that position the LAC financial sector as a leader in the global sustainable finance agenda

 

Are you already a UNEP FI member? Find the latest regional news, key resources and more in the Members’ Area.

 

Regional Implementation Programme & Training

UNEP FI has a range of training and region-specific activities in online and workshop formats. Find the full the offering on the Learning and Development for Finance Professionals section. Please note that the tutor-led online courses on environmental and social risk analysis, as well as on climate change risks in the banking sector are offered in Spanish and English.

UNEP FI also offers a wide range of implementation support activities to members, consisting of regionally tailored workshops designed to support finance professionals implement frameworks such as the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB). These activities cover climate change, nature, financial health and inclusion and human rights. Access the Latin America & Caribbean Members‘ Area page to learn about the host of activities on offer this year including the Nature Reporting Preparer Forum and Climate Series for LAC. For further questions, please contact the Latin America & Caribbean Team.

Public activities for the Latin America & Caribbean region can be accessed here.