|
Joint UNEP/Industry Sector Initiatives
Previous UNEP/Industry Sector Initiatives
UNEP Finance Initiative
The UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)
is a unique global partnership between the United Nations
Environment Programme and the private financial sector.
UNEP FI works closely with financial institutions that are
signatories to the UNEP FI Statements. Over 180 institutions
including banks, insurers and fund managers, work with UNEP
to understand the impacts of environmental and social considerations
on financial performance, and to promote linkages between
the environment, sustainability and financial performance.
Its work programme includes activities in the following
areas:
- Research on the "business case" of internalizing
environmental, social and government externalities;
- Guidelines and other implementation tools;
- Training and capacity building;
- Participation in environmental policy-making for international,
national and regional seminars and conferences; and,
- Networking opportunities between Members and with stakeholders.
Signatories commit to integrate sustainable development
considerations into all aspects of their operations and
service. The participating institutions support the precautionary
approach to environmental management, recognize that identifying
and quantifying environmental risks should be part of the
normal process of risk assessment and management (both in
domestic and international operations) and pursue best environmental
practice. As far a public awareness and communication is
concerned, they have undertaken for example to share information
with customers, as appropriate, so that they may strengthen
their own capacity to reduce environmental risk and promote
sustainable development. Signatories have noted the important
contribution to be made by a pro-active financial services
industry through its interaction with other economic sectors
and consumers. Together with UNEP, the UNEP FI signatories
strives to mainstream financial products and services that
promote sound environmental practice and the inclusion of
environmental considerations in their lending, investments
and insurance.
For more information visit the UNEP
Finance Initiative website.
|
