Introduction to Nature and Responsible Banking

About the Course 

Introduction to Nature and Responsible Banking is set within the context of the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) – the world’s leading sustainable banking framework. The aim of this course is to raise learners’ awareness of nature, the importance of our natural world, and how society and businesses rely on nature for their production needs and supply chains. This course shows why nature loss is a critical issue for a responsible bank, outlining key frameworks that banks can use to help assess their nature-related impacts and identify opportunities to have a more positive impact on nature. 

As you complete this course, you will understand why our natural world is so important to the economy and why nature loss is a critical issue for a responsible bank, with hopes that you too can make more responsible and sustainable decisions within your own role. 

Course Details and Modules

The aim of this course is therefore to enhance your knowledge and understanding of what is meant by nature, why it is so critical for our planet, people and profits, and what has caused the decline of nature in recent decades. 

Key objectives are to give you a basic knowledge and understanding of: 

• Our natural world – nature provides provisioning (raw materials), regulating (pollination/water purification) but also cultural services and supporting services (nutrient cycle, soil).
• Businesses reliance on nature for their production needs and supply chains. It is estimated that US$58 trillion of economic value generation – over half the world’s Gross Domestic Product – is  highly/moderately dependent on nature as the other half is also dependent on nature just to a lesser degree.
• The erosion of diversity in genes, species, habitats, and the interactions between them, means humans are at risk of a cascading unravelling of our economies and life support systems. This is accelerating, and is accelerated by, global climate change. The loss of biodiversity is caused by human action mostly and that as such we are risking to unravelling.
• Recognize the urgent action that is required to halt the harm being caused to our environment and that we must protect, rebuild, replenish, and sustainably use our natural resources.   
• Show why nature loss is a critical issue for a responsible bank and introduce key frameworks and guidance that banks can use to help assess their nature-related impacts and risks and identify opportunities to have a more positive impact on nature – not just to halt its decline, but to help restore it.   

Introduction to Nature and Responsible Banking consists of four eLearning units: 

1. Understanding nature and its value to society 
2. Nature degradation and loss 
3. Banking and nature 
4. Frameworks for nature and responsible banking. 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

1. Explain what is meant by nature, biodiversity, natural capital, ecosystems and ecosystem services, and how they add value to our society; 
2. Recognize what has caused a decline in nature in recent decades and its impact; 
3. Explain why nature loss is relevant for banks from an impact, risk, and opportunity perspective; and 
4. Describe key frameworks and initiatives that banks can use to assess their nature-related impacts and risks and identify opportunities to reduce risk and have a more positive impact on nature. 

What learning resources are available?

Your learning resources include: 

• Interactive eLearning content 
• Audio-visual resources 
• Case studies 
• Opportunities to reflect on your own professional and personal practice and create an action plan to help your bank embed the Principles for Responsible Banking and support the transition to a more sustainable world. 

Certification

Upon completing this course, the user will be awarded a digital certificate and badge.