For more than 30 years UNEP FI has been connecting the UN with financial institutions from around the world to shape the sustainable finance agenda. We’ve established the world’s foremost sustainability frameworks, helping the finance industry achieve sustainability goals, address sustainability risks and identify the business opportunities in taking a responsible approach to banking and insurance.
UNEP FI also convenes agenda-setting Global and Regional Roundtables bringing together the most influential voices across finance, policy, science and sustainability to accelerate the transformation of the financial system. These events provide a unique platform where financial institutions, regulators, supervisors, academics and civil society engage in constructive dialogue on aligning finance with sustainable development.
Benefits to members
UNEP FI works with its members – banks and insurers – along with key stakeholders to help to transform the role of financial institutions in contributing to the transition to a sustainable economy. We help the finance industry contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and align financing with the Paris Climate Agreement. The benefits of membership are largely commensurate with an institution’s level of engagement with the UNEP FI governance, work programme and community.
Benefits include:
- Access to global expertise that helps financial institutions embed sustainability into their activities, identify trends and business opportunities, as well as manage their risks and impacts to accelerate the transition to an inclusive, low-carbon, and nature-positive future.
- Opportunities to contribute to the development of comprehensive and cutting-edge frameworks, guidance, methodologies, research, and tools, empowering members to demonstrate leadership, set norms and translate their commitments into action.
- Participation in forums and communities that develop industry-wide best practices, which encourage peer learning and enable members to build value, improve efficiencies and accelerate action on sustainable finance on a global and regional level.
- Tailored support with local and regional contexts to assist members of any size with regulatory and sustainability framework implementation, as well as engagement with principal stakeholders, policymakers and key sectors.
- Engagement with a UN platform that convenes over 550 financial institutions and provides access to technical experts and key stakeholders from across the financial system to create an enabling environment that accelerates the real economy transition and creates systems change.
Join us to be part of leadership in sustainable finance and a global community working to upgrade ways of doing finance for an inclusive, resilient future.
How to get engaged
All UNEP FI members have the option to join activities and have access to a variety of UNEP FI resources:
- Workstreams to develop and produce resources which support implementation or co-create cutting-edge resources for differenbt impact areas
- Pilot groups to test the applicability and usability of produced materials, as well as refine existing guidance documents or approaches developed
- Publications, guidelines, research, tools, and resources to shape the agenda and support financial institutions in their journey
- Peer learning activities through communities of practice and case studies
- Workshops and technical support at the global and regional level
- Learning and development activities to upskill your organization
- Global and regional webinars to access the wide range of UNEP FI resources and experts
- Roundtables, events, and UN conferences to network with your peers and key stakeholders, and provide input into global negotiations
Principles for Responsible Banking Signatories also have access to regular one-to-one expert feedback and support.
Additional benefits
The UNEP FI Secretariat helps members to implement the Principles for Responsible Banking, Principles for Sustainable Insurance and other commitments to align their businesses with sustainability objectives. We cultivate shared learning and co-develop practical resources to equip financial institutions with the knowledge and expertise to embed sustainability into their strategies and operations.
- Learn how to implement the Principles for Responsible Banking and position your bank at the forefront of sustainability in the industry
- Stay at the forefront of banking industry approaches to identify portfolio impacts, set targets to align with society’s goals, and report on progress.
- Participate in peer learning on ways to implement the Principles through governance, strategy, structure, culture, and operations.
- Gain access to global and regional workshops and webinars, as well as technical assistance and tool development to help fast-track sustainability
- Gain insights into your performance relative to sector peers through individual reviews
- Join a workstream or worktrack to contribute to industry guidance, tools and action on strategic priorities for the banking industry.
- Join a community of practice to forge new pathways and enhance good practice in the industry.
- Learn how to implement the Principles for Sustainable Insurance to address environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities within your core
- Help shape sustainable insurance market practice across life and non-life by fully leveraging the triple role of the insurer
- Gain access to global and regional workshops and webinars, as well as resources to learn about best practices and help fast-track sustainability globally
- Participate in the development of industry guidance and tools to enhance sustainable insurance concepts and knowledge.
- Join the PSI Working Group for Nature to learn how to assess and address nature-related risks and opportunities and pollution liabilities.
- Participate in activities to enhance the resilience of clients & customers.
Asset managers and owners are encouraged to sign up to the Principles for Responsible Investment.
How to join
Contact us to join our community to access learning across the banking, insurance and investment industries, as well as insights from key stakeholders informing policy and industry developments. Explore approaches to take forward-looking action, and address sustainability challenges with industry peers through our UN-convened network.
Contact us