Greetings!
The awaited Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development is already around the corner, with just over three months to go before all eyes turn to the global summit.
Expectations for the gathering are as high as ever. A few weeks ago, environment ministers from around the world ended their annual meeting at the UNEP Governing Council in Nairobi by promising to make Rio+20 a resounding success.
UNEP FI is putting its shoulder to the wheel to deliver a meeting that is more than symbolic. With the planned launch of the Principles of Sustainable Insurance and of the Natural Capital Declaration at Rio+20, the partnership will once more take the lead in shaping new ideas to make sustainable finance a concrete project.
UNEP FI is also, through UNEP, one of four co-conveners of the Rio+20 Conference's official business sector platform, namely the Corporate Sustainability Forum.
And finally, the partnership will, in the coming weeks, make public a position paper in which it will outline to Rio+20 negotiators how private finance can help achieve sustainable development.
We hope you share our excitement as this high point of the sustainable debate nears.
Yours sincerely,
Yuki Yasui
Officer-in-charge, UNEP FI
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 The Highlight
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Head of UNEP launches UNEP FI report on renewable energy in Africa
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Head of UNEP Achim Steiner presents UNEP FI's latest report at a press conference in Nairobi.
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Smart public policies are key to powering up sub-Saharan's Africa's clean energy potential, said the head of UNEP Achim Steiner while unveiling UNEP FI's latest report in Nairobi in late February.
Financing Renewable Energy in Developing Countries: Drivers and Barriers for Private Finance in sub-Saharan Africa outlines how current obstacles to renewable energy solutions in Africa can be tackled with the help of private finance.
"Accelerating and scaling-up sustainable energy for all will be key to realizing a transition to a low carbon, resource efficient 'inclusive' Green Economy," said UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.
The report identifies three main roadblocks to a more vibrant renewable energy sector - namely cost, structure, and risk. It details how these can be overcome in sub-Saharan Africa.
Its conclusions and recommendations to sub-Saharan Africa and international policy-makers are based on a survey of 38 financial institutions.
More information and full report here.
Watch a video summary of the report here.
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| UNEP FI Publications
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New report: Financing Renewable Energy in Developing Countries: Drivers and Barriers for Private Finance in sub-Saharan Africa
Financing Renewable Energy in Developing Countries argues that with the input of the private finance sector, sub-Saharan Africa's growing energy demand can come from the continent's wealth of untapped, domestic renewable resources.
Based on a survey of 38 financial institutions, the study shows how policy incentives can help reduce the higher costs associated with electricity generation from renewables and improve the competitiveness of investments in the sector, versus traditional energy sources.
To tackle a second major energy barrier, namely the structural inadequacies of subSaharan African energy markets, such as monopolistic ownerships with difficult market and grid access for new actors and innovation, the report says governments should
reform the energy sector with policies leading to a higher level of decentralization and easier market access for new energy producers.
A third major roadblock to the development of renewable energy utilities, says the study, are the risks - political, regulatory and commercial - present in many sub-Saharan countries. While complex, these risks can be abated and their impact lessened by the use of risk-mitigation instruments already available, albeit insufficiently, today.
Full download here.
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| UNEP FI News
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Endorsement of Natural Capital Declaration picking up speed with support from the asset management industry
 A further four financial institutions have recently committed to the Natural Capital Declaration (NCD), bringing the total number of endorsers to six, half of which are now asset management companies.
The Declaration - a joint project by UNEP FI, the Global Canopy Programme, and the EAESP Center for the Study of Sustainability - is a commitment by financial institutions to create the conditions to maintain and enhance natural capital as a critical economic, ecological, and social asset. It will be presented at the Rio+20 Earth Summit in June this year.
New signatories are Zevin Asset Management, Robeco, Caledonia Wealth Management, Ltd, and Banco de Mexico's FIRA.
More information here.
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| UNEP FI Upcoming Events
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Webinar on the Natural Capital Declaration on 6 March, 9 AM CET, and 7 March, 3 PM CET
UNEP FI, the Global Canopy Program (GCP) and The Center for Sustainability Studies of the Business Administration School of the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) would like to invite you to attend a one-hour webinar to understand the nuts and bolts of the Natural Capital Declaration.
Hear first-hand:
- What the Natural Capital Declaration is all about and why it will be launched atthe Rio+20 Earth Summit;
- Why it is of interest of financial institutions - whether in banking, investment or insurance;
- How financial institutions can endorse the Natural Capital Declaration;
- Why National Australia Bank and Rabobank have committed to the Natural Capital Declaration as endorsers.
More information here.
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| UNEP FI Training
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Promotional Offer: UNEP FI members and civil society representatives benefit from a discount on all UNEP FI training courses! More details on www.unepfi.org/training.
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Environmental and Social Risk Analysis (ESRA) Online Course
Next course: 12 to 30 March (French) Register now for the Environmental and Social Risk Analysis Online Course! This course aims to educate participants on the identification, analysis, and management of environmental and social risks generated through lending and investment activities. More information and registration here. |
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Climate Change: Risks and Opportunities for the Finance Sector Online Course
Next course: 16 April to 7 May (English)
Registration is now open for the Climate Change: Risks and Opportunities for the Finance Sector Online Course! Responding to the need to better understand the impacts of this phenomenon, this course equips participants with a fundamental understanding of the science behind climate change, the architecture of the international climate change regime, and how financial markets - across banking, investment and insurance - can cope with the resulting risks and seize the opportunities.
More information and registration here.
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| Energy Efficiency Financing in Buildings (FEEE) Online Course
Next course: 11 to 29 June (Spanish)
Register now for the Energy Efficiency Financing in Buildings Online Course! The objective of this training course is to promote the transition towards a low-carbon economy through the financing and investment in energy efficiency projects, especially in the sector of property.
More information and registration here.
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| News from Partners
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Globe 2012, 14-16 March, Vancouver, Canada
 UNEP FI is proud to partner with Globe 2012, a platform for crucial talks on securing financial sustainability, responsible investment, integrated reporting, and a cleaner economy. Join business and government leaders from around the world as they consider the increasingly important role of sustainability in ensuring greater long-term stability of the global economy.
More information here.
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TBLI Conference Asia 2012, 24-25 May, Hong Kong, China
 The prime annual global networking and learning event on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Impact Investing. The theme for 2012 is: "Why Occupy? Try TBLI."
More information here.
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| Contact
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Monthly top downloads
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Innovative Financing for Sustainable Small and Medium Enterprises in Africa
Financing Renewable Energy in Developing Countries: Drivers and barriers for private finance in sub-Saharan Africa 
Green Financial Products and Services: Current trends and future opportunities in North America
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