UNEP Finance Initiative is a large and influential network of banks, insurers and investors that collectively catalyses action across the financial system to deliver more sustainable global economies.
For more than 30 years the initiative has been bringing the UN together with financial institutions from around the world to shape the sustainable finance agenda. We’ve established the world’s foremost sustainability frameworks that help the finance industry address global environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges.
Convened by a Geneva, Switzerland-based secretariat, more than 400 banks and insurers with assets exceeding US$100 trillion work together to facilitate the implementation of UNEP FI’s Principles for Responsible Banking and Principles for Sustainable Insurance, as well as three UN-convened net-zero alliances. Financial institutions work with UNEP FI on a voluntary basis and we help them to apply the industry frameworks and develop practical guidance and tools to position their businesses for the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy.
Founded in 1992, UNEP FI was the first organisation to engage the finance sector on sustainability and incubated the Principles for Responsible Investment, now the world’s leading proponent on responsible investment. Today, we cultivate leadership and advance sustainable market practice by supporting the implementation of global programmes at a regional level in Africa & the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America & the Caribbean and North America.
A not-for-profit educational charity and the world’s foremost professional banking Institute. The Institute has over 33,000 members, with students and professionally qualified members in more than 107 countries over five continents. Working at the leading edge of sustainable finance education for bankers, the Institute was one of the first non-bank organisations to endorse the UN Principles for Responsible Banking.
The Institute is dedicated to shaping the future of banking through education and training aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Agreement and Principles for Responsible Banking. With the core aim of raising the standards of banking education and training worldwide, working with international banking institutes, universities and educational partners.
The Institute is also proud to have launched the global benchmark Certificate in Green and Sustainable Finance and Certificate in Climate Risk, as well as the Foundation Certificate for Responsible Banking.
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ):
Within the federal government, the BMZ is responsible for German development policy. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations and the Paris Climate Agreement form the framework for our actions. Our focus is on fighting poverty and hunger, and a commitment to healthy people in a healthy environment.
The BMZ sees itself as a transformative ministry working to support the worldwide transformation to a sustainable, climate-friendly and nature-friendly way of doing business whilst at the same time strengthening peace, freedom and human rights. To this end, we coordinate our bilateral cooperation with our partner countries worldwide and promote strong multilateralism based on the SDGs. In respectful cooperation with one another, we want to change structures in those partner countries and globally in ways that make a better life possible for everyone.
For further information, please see: https://www.bmz.de/en
Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ):
GIZ is a German public-benefit federal enterprise that works jointly with governments, international organizations, businesses, civil society actors and research institutions worldwide to foster international cooperation for sustainable development. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and other commissioning parties, GIZ supports sustainable development in emerging markets and developing countries.
In the field of sustainable finance, GIZ aims to accelerate the transformation towards sustainable financial systems in partner countries. GIZ’s approach is to help create enabling framework conditions through policy and reform processes, support the implementation of ambitious sustainable finance practices in the financial sector, and to raise awareness and capacities through training, research and peer learning.
For further information, please see: https://www.giz.de/en
It is now more important than ever for banking professionals to consider responsible and sustainable practices in their day-to-day decision-making. By enrolling in the Academy, banking professionals all over the globe can deepen their understanding of the UN Principles for Responsible Banking, and instil meaningful changes at the heart of their organisations.
Enrol today and be part of the change.
If you have any questions about the Principles for Responsible Banking Academy and the courses on offer, please visit our dedicated FAQs page by clicking the button below.
The PRB Academy has been developed by the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Chartered Banker Institute. For further information on the purpose of the PRB Academy as well as the organisations behind the initiative, please visit the About Us page.
The Principles for Responsible Banking are a unique framework for ensuring that signatory banks’ strategy and practice align with the vision society has set out for its future in the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement.
The framework consists of 6 Principles designed to bring purpose, vision and ambition to sustainable finance. They were created in 2019 through a partnership between founding banks and the United Nations. Signatory banks commit to embedding these 6 Principles across all business areas, at the strategic, portfolio and transactional levels. For a detailed understanding of these principles, please click here.
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