*New* Advancing Sustainable and Climate Finance in the Asia-Pacific
The SBFN Asia & Pacific Roundtable and International Policy Forum on Climate Finance were held in Bangkok, Thailand on May 28-29, serving as a regional platform focused on advancing sustainable finance and climate policy implementation. The Roundtable brought together delegates from 12 SBFN member institutions across 10 Asia-Pacific countries, along with international and regional experts from IFC, SBFN, CASI and the World Bank.
Explore the gallery, presentations and event summary for more insights into the discussions and event outcomes.
*New* Post-event Advisory: Global Partners Advance Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Interoperability
Leading global institutions and initiatives convened a roundtable in Geneva to discuss implementation of the Roadmap for Advancing Interoperability and Comparability of Sustainable Finance Taxonomies, launched during COP29 in Azerbaijan last November. The roundtable participants emphasized the growing importance of interoperability in the global sustainable finance ecosystem. It was agreed that the Taxonomy Roadmap will serve as a key global platform for coordination, collaboration and alignment of taxonomy initiatives, helping organizations better align their efforts, reduce redundancies, and establish stronger linkages between their activities/efforts and the Roadmap’s key pillars.
*New* Roadmap for Advancing Interoperability and Comparability of Sustainable Finance Taxonomies
The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) launched the “Roadmap for Advancing Interoperability and Comparability of Sustainable Finance Taxonomies” in partnership with the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBAR) as part of the country’s leadership for COP29, along with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Platform on Sustainable Finance (IPSF).
The objective of the roadmap is to connect and coordinate various ongoing efforts related to sustainable finance frameworks and operationalize them through clear, practical, and coordinated actions.
SBFN 8TH GLOBAL MEETING
The IFC-facilitated Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) successfully concluded its 8th Global Meeting on September 11-12, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro, alongside the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) meeting, marking a significant milestone in the global effort to align sustainable finance frameworks and amplify the voice of emerging markets on the international stage.
With over 140 speakers and participants from 60 countries, this gathering underscored the essential role of emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) in the global transition towards a resilient, low-carbon economy. It marked a significant step forward in fostering international dialogue and collaboration in sustainable finance.
*New* SBFN Data Portal
The new SBFN Data portal is the most comprehensive database of sustainable finance initiatives in emerging markets and developing economies, enabling regular and consistent monitoring and benchmarking across countries, regions, and indicators.
2024 SBFN Global Progress Brief
The 2024 SBFN Global Progress Brief, offers a comprehensive benchmarking of sustainable finance trends and innovations across 66 member countries covering three pillars of sustainable finance: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Integration, Climate and Nature-Related Risk Management, and Financing Sustainability.
2024 SBFN Global Progress Brief
The 2024 SBFN Global Progress Brief, offers a comprehensive benchmarking of sustainable finance trends and innovations across 66 member countries covering three pillars of sustainable finance: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Integration, Climate and Nature-Related Risk Management, and Financing Sustainability.
*New* IFC Partners with the IFRS Foundation
IFC, a host of the Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) Secretariat, and the IFRS Foundation have officially partnered to strengthen sustainable capital markets by improving sustainability and climate reporting.
*New* SBFN Toolkit on Sustainable Finance Taxonomies
The SBFN Toolkit on Sustainable Finance Taxonomies aims to support financial sector regulators, banking associations, and interested users in emerging markets as they navigate the complexities of developing or updating taxonomies.
The toolkit provides:
- Practical findings and examples from SBFN members that have implemented taxonomies.
- Emerging common elements of taxonomies.
- Guidance on the steps that countries can follow to strengthen the governance, design, and implementation of their taxonomies.
- Ideas on ‘levels of interoperability‘ to facilitate discussion moving forward.
- High-level profiles for 12 SBFN countries and 3 regions.
This toolkit will continue to evolve as new knowledge and solutions become available.
ABOUT SBFN
The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) is a platform for knowledge sharing and capacity building on sustainable finance for financial sector regulators and industry associations across emerging markets.
Facilitated by IFC as secretariat, and supported by the World Bank Group, SBFN helps mobilize information, resources, and practical support for members to design and implement national initiatives that advance sustainable finance at national, regional, and global levels.
Members are committed to moving their financial sectors towards sustainability, with the twin goals to:
Improve the management of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks – including climate risks – across the financial sector.
Increase capital flows to activities with positive environmental and social impacts, including climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Featured SBFN Member Stories
Watch our members share inspiring insights with the SBFN community on their sustainable finance journey, their key achievements, as well as their vision for the future of the network and sustainable finance in their countries, regions, and globally.
In the latest testimony, Mr Koba Gvenetadze, the outgoing Governor of the National Bank of Georgia shares his organization’s journey in transforming ideas into measurable outcomes, guided by the sustainable finance roadmap and in partnership with SBFN and IFC.
Member
Countries
Member
Institutions
Banking Assets
Supervised
SBFN 2021 Global Progress Report and Country Reports
and
Evidence of Policy Innovations and Market Actions for Sustainable Finance across 62 Emerging Markets
What's New
SBFN Hosts Regional Luncheon to Advance Sustainable Finance in Latin America and the Caribbean
On May 15, Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) held luncheon for Latin American and the Caribbean members during the III Latin American Congress on Sustainable and Inclusive Banking organized by FELABAN, a SBFN member, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The event brought together representatives from 14 SBFN member institutions in Latin America, alongside key regional stakeholders from the financial sector—including local institutions—totaling 68 participants. For members unable to attend in person, the meeting was also streamed live.
Moldovan Banks Association joins SBFN, commemorating 100th membership
The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) is pleased to welcome the Moldovan Banks Association (ABM) as its newest member. This membership marks a significant milestone in the network’s growth and global partnerships, commemorating the addition of the 100th member. Established in 1993, the ABM is a professional, nonprofit organization representing the banking sector in the Republic of Moldova. As a key industry platform, ABM works to strengthen Moldova’s sustainable economic growth and aligning the financial sector with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
Banks Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina joins SBFN
The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) is pleased to welcome the Banks Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BABiH) as its newest member. Established in 2004, BABiH is a banking association representing 21 commercial and 2 development banks, committed to advance the country’s financial sector further in the path toward sustainable and responsible finance.
Working Groups
Currently four member-led thematic working groups are established within SBFN
Member-led Research
2024
Global Progress
Brief
2021
Global Progress
Report
2020
Necessary
Ambition
The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network
Evidence of Policy Innovations and
Market Actions across 62 Emerging Markets.
The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) is a platform for knowledge sharing and capacity building on sustainable finance for financial sector regulators and industry associations across emerging markets.
Facilitated by IFC as secretariat, and supported by the World Bank Group, SBFN helps mobilize information, resources, and practical support for members to design and implement national initiatives that advance sustainable finance at national, regional, and global levels.
Member
Countries
Member
Institutions
Banking Assets
Supervised
What's New
SBFN Hosts Regional Luncheon to Advance Sustainable Finance in Latin America and the Caribbean
On May 15, Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) held luncheon for Latin American and the Caribbean members during the III Latin American Congress on Sustainable and Inclusive Banking organized by FELABAN, a SBFN member, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The event brought together representatives from 14 SBFN member institutions in Latin America, alongside key regional stakeholders from the financial sector—including local institutions—totaling 68 participants. For members unable to attend in person, the meeting was also streamed live.
Moldovan Banks Association joins SBFN, commemorating 100th membership
The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) is pleased to welcome the Moldovan Banks Association (ABM) as its newest member. This membership marks a significant milestone in the network’s growth and global partnerships, commemorating the addition of the 100th member. Established in 1993, the ABM is a professional, nonprofit organization representing the banking sector in the Republic of Moldova. As a key industry platform, ABM works to strengthen Moldova’s sustainable economic growth and aligning the financial sector with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
Banks Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina joins SBFN
The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) is pleased to welcome the Banks Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BABiH) as its newest member. Established in 2004, BABiH is a banking association representing 21 commercial and 2 development banks, committed to advance the country’s financial sector further in the path toward sustainable and responsible finance.
Members
80 financial sector regulators and industry associations from 63 countries in emerging markets
Working Groups
Currently four member-led thematic working groups are established within SBFN
Member-led Research
2021
Global Progress report
2020
Necessary Ambition
2018
Green Bonds Market Report
