| UNEP FI Members seize 3 out of 4 Financial Times Sustainable Bank of the Year Awards in the Emerging Markets category
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At a special ceremony on 3 June, Itaś, Nedbank and TSKB were named Emerging Markets Sustainable Bank of the Year by the Financial Times (FT) for the regions of Africa/Middle East, Eastern Europe and Latin America, respectively. Additionally, UNEP FI Member HSBC received the runner-up position for the prestigious overall Sustainable Bank of the Year Award. See more on the UNEP FI Regional Task Forces and the FT Sustainability Awards... |
The road to green finance in China: Industrial Bank's 2009 Sustainability Report followed by Sustainable Stock Exchange 2010 Global Dialogue in September
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Following Head of Unit Paul Clements-Hunt's visit to China in early June, UNEP FI remains involved in the green journey of the Chinese finance sector. It is with delight that we announced the 2009 Sustainability Report by Member Industrial Bank, the first sustainability report from the Chinese finance sector. Industrial Bank has pioneered green finance in China, consequently winning twice the Financial Times Sustainability Award for the Asia region. On 8 Sept this year, Paul Clements-Hunt is also expected to speak at the high-level event for the finance and investment community, Sustainable Stock Exchange 2010 Global Dialogue, in Xiamen, China. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the United Nations Global Compact and the Principles for Responsible Investment, with the support of UNEP FI, are working together to organize the event. Please register here or contact anthony.miller@unctad.org. |
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FirstRand joins UNEP FI
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UNEP FI welcomes FirstRand as its newest Member from South Africa. As one of the largest financial institutions in South Africa, FirstRand is the only fully integrated financial services group in South Africa employing approximately 44 000 individuals. FirstRand has adopted the international best practice environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework for identifying, monitoring and managing material sustainability and stakeholder issues. The company put in place an enterprise-wide ESG risks profile and non-financial reporting processes in order to support the management of ESG risks and provide management information regarding sustainability and stakeholder performance. FirstRand joins the UNEP FI Africa Task Force and Banking, Insurance and Investment Commissions. More on FirstRand... |
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UN Global Compact Leaders Summit takes place in New York
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The UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2010, the largest-ever UN business event on corporate responsibility, took place in New York on 24-25 June with the attendance of more than 1,200 leaders from business, governments, civil society, academia and international organizations. UNEP FI was represented by Co-Chair Barbara Krumsiek, who attended the forum on behalf of the Initiative. In the Summit's closing session, the Global Compact participants adopted, by acclamation, a 'New York Declaration by Business', pledging to renew their commitment to the Global Compact principles, deepen their engagement, strengthen their support for critical development goals and increase transparency and dialogue. The Declaration further calls on governments to "cultivate enabling environments for entrepreneurship and innovation" and to send clear regulatory signals, especially on climate change. The Summit's outcomes directly relate to UNEP FI's cutting-edge research, which serves as a resource for business and financial institutions in the face of a rapid increase in demand for energy and water, and other natural resources. See UNEP FI's input to the brochure Resources for Business and Industry presented at the Summit. |
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UNEP FI Webinar with Pavan Sukhev. The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) for Business: The implications for financial institutions
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On 19 July, 5pm CET, hear firsthand from the leader of the major TEEB initiative, Pavan Sukhev, about the findings of the TEEB for Business (D3) report, which will be (soft) launched on 13 July during the Global Business of Biodiversity Symposium in London. Sagarika Chatterjee (F&C Management) and UNEP FI Co-Chair Richard Burrett (Earth Capital Partners) will provide an investor and banker perspective on TEEB, and how the report's findings can be used to engage with both policy makers and companies. Josh Bishop (IUCN) - coordinator TEEB D3 - will provide concluding remarks. Don't miss this opportunity! Register here... |
UNEP FI Member Citi announces 10th annual Global Citizenship Report
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 UNEP FI is pleased to announce the release of Citi's 10th annual Global Citizenship Report, underscoring the bank's strategic focus on citizenship and commitment to the economic development of the communities it serves in more than 140 countries. See Citi's Citizenship microsite, the summary and the full report... |
UNEP FI to launch a CEO Briefing for finance institutions on The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) during CBD COP 10 in Nagoya, Japan, 18-29 Oct
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The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is planning its 10th Conference of the Parties in Nagoya, Japan. The results of The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), a major study on the global economic costs of biodiversity loss and the economic benefits of conservation, will be officially launched during this event. UNEP FI plans to be actively involved throughout this platform of opportunity. There are many reasons for our members to be present in order to gain insight on understanding natural value loss as a systemic risk to the finance and investment sector, and to be actively involved at a UNEP FI side event, during which the CEO Briefing on TEEB for the financial sector will be launched. The outcomes of the Convention's negotiations will affect regulatory frameworks within which FIs must operate, and your presence at CBD COP10 will allow you to be part of this process. Further information and a detailed program of what UNEP FI is planning for Nagoya will follow. Members are encouraged to get in touch with Ivo Mulder(ivo.mulder@unep.org; +41 22 9178690) with any questions and expressions of interest. |
| Environmental & Social Risk Analysis (ESRA) Online Course - soon available in French
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The UNEP FI ESRA Online Course is designed with a focus on emerging markets and aims to assist managers in the identification, analysis and management of environmental and social risks generated through lending and investment activities. Next sessions will be held 2 - 20 Aug (in Spanish) and 16 Aug - 3 Sept (in English). To sign up please click here or email training@unepfi.org. The ESRA Online Course will soon also be available in French. UNEP FI, Capacity Building International (InWent), the INCAE Business School, with the support of the EcoBanking Project, are now expanding the regional scope of the course to French speaking countries, in collaboration with PROPARCO, AFD and DEG. The French version of the Online Course will be run as a pilot project at the end of 2010 or the beginning of 2011. |
| 'Responsible Property Investment and Energy Efficient Buildings' Property Working Group joint session at Economic Forum in Krynica, Poland
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The UNEP FI Property Working Group organizes this joint session hosted by the Economic Forum in Krynica, Poland 8-11 Sept 2010. The panel discussion will explore the fundamental principles behind the concept of Responsible Property Investment, its key drivers and barriers, the main risks and opportunities, and the benefits that can be realised from adopting this approach. The session will specifically examine the value of energy efficient buildings, the importance of real estate for economies, and how property can contribute to social and environmental challenges in a global context. To register please follow the link... |
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Point of Contact
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Sustainable finance can and should be central for the financial sector to overcome the damage to its reputation caused by the 2008 crash | 
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Our People | |
UNEP FI Consultant, Affan Kolandaiveedu as UNEP's Expert of the Day | |
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Pilot Online Course |
New Online Course on Energy Efficiency Financing in Buildings
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Product of the INCAE Business School, Capacity Building International (InWent) and UNEP FI, through the EcoBanking Project. In collaboration with the Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy (BASE). Supported by the German Federal Ministry of the Environment.
The course was held for the first time in Spanish from 14 June to 2 July, attended by more than 25 financial institutions. |
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Tune in | |
Ivo Mulder on the link between biodiversity and the financial sector | |
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Found in Translation | |
Property Working Group Toolkit 2 now in French and Japanese | |
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UNEP DTIE Publications | |
Resources for Business and Industry Brochure presented at the UN Global Compact Summit | |
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UNEP Feature |
UNEP steps up efforts to reduce the use of mercury in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) by working towards a global mercury treaty
Interested UNEP FI Member institutions are invited to attend a briefing on the issue in Geneva in Sept 2010. Please contact UNEP FI Secretariat: ivo.mulder@unep.org. | |
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