SBFN Newsroom
The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) welcomes the Securities and Exchange Commission of Ghana (SEC) as its newest member.
SEC Ghana is the securities market regulator of Ghana and is responsible for regulating and promoting the growth and development of an efficient, fair, and transparent securities market in the country.
In May, IFC launched the first-of-its-kind self-paced video online training: “Guide to Green Bond Issuance for Financial Institutions”
The training provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how financial institutions can structure a green bond and go to market.
The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) welcomes the Association of Banks of Chile (ABIF) as its newest member. ABIF is the banking industry association of Chile which brings together 14 banks and four foreign representation offices.
The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN), Bank of Central African States (BEAC), and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, hosted an international forum on sustainable finance in Douala, Cameroon, on May 8-9, 2023. The event was attended by nearly 200 senior officials representing financial sector regulators and industry associations from more than 20 African countries.
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBAR), a Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) member since 2022, published the country’s first Sustainable Finance Roadmap in February 2023.
The Roadmap sets out the country’s ambition for sustainable finance for the period 2023-2026 and aims to ensure both sustainability of the financial sector to the environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and the realization of green finance opportunities.
The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) welcomes the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zambia (SEC) as its newest member.
SEC is the regulator of the capital markets in Zambia and was established in 1993 through an Act of parliament. The SEC is responsible for the supervision and development of the Zambian Capital Markets, as well as licensing, registration and authorization for financial intermediaries, issuers of debt and equity instruments and collective investment schemes.
Mexico’s Ministry of Finance unveiled its Sustainable Taxonomy, a financial public policy tool that seeks to encourage investment in economic activities that protect the environment and reduce social and gender gaps.
The Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) welcomes the Union of Banks of Armenia (UBA) as its newest member. UBA is a banking union bringing together all 18 commercial banks operating in the Republic of Armenia.
SBFN welcomes Azerbaijan Banks Association as our newest member.
Azerbaijan Banks Association’s (ABA) membership covers all 25 banks in the country, 2 non-banking credit organizations, 2 processing centers, and the Azerbaijan Credit Bureau.
In December 2022, at the invitation of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and under the guidance of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC), the China Banking Association (CBA) held a side event on Bank’s nature and climate initiatives during the second phase of the 2020 UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15).
The World Bank and Beijing Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS) published a report "Unleashing Sustainable Finance in Southeast Asia". The report explores the urgent need for climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in Southeast Asia and the important role of the financial sector.
The Central Bank of Egypt issued a binding regulation requiring banks to integrate sustainable finance into banks’ credit and investment policies and procedures and to create an independent department for sustainability and sustainable finance.
National Bank of Georgia, IFC, and SBFN co-hosted the 4th annual Sustainable Finance Forum in Tbilisi, Georgia, in partnership with the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs in Switzerland (SECO). The event has increased its global reach over the years and was attended by over 300 participants from 55 countries both in person and virtually.
SBFN Welcomes the Banking Association of Georgia (BAG) as our newest member.
The European Union (EU) Platform on Sustainable Finance published “Platform recommendations on Data and Usability as part of Taxonomy reporting” and a "Final Report on Minimum Safeguards of the EU Taxonomy", which provide important insights into the implementation of the EU Taxonomy and application of minimum safeguards.
The IMF released its 2022 Global Financial Stability Report “Navigating the High-Inflation Environment”, which featured the challenges and opportunities of scaling up private climate finance worldwide.
SBFN welcomes Banque des États de l'Afrique Centrale (BEAC, Bank of Central African States) as our newest member.
The KBA supports the development of the banking sector and is the representative voice of the banking industry in the Republic of Kosovo.
Established in 1992, Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan believes that sustainable finance can support transformation of Azerbaijan towards a sustainable and green economy.
CBA has established a working group to conduct research aimed at establishing a green financing system in Armenia.
ECCB was established in October 1983. It is the Monetary Authority for a group of eight island economies, namely Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The Banking Association of Ecuador, Asobancos, comprising 14 member banks, joined SBFN on 19 September 2022.
ASBA comprises banking supervisors of North, Central and South America and Spain. ASBA’s mission is to contribute to the strengthening of bank regulation and supervision and financial system stability in the region by actively sharing information, disseminating knowledge, and providing support and services that lead to increased technical capacity and leadership.
South Africa’s National Treasury (NT) has been an SBFN Observer since 2016 when it started its journey to develop a national vision and roadmap on sustainable finance for all parts of the financial sector, supported by IFC and SBFN.
Trillions of dollars will be needed to fund the world's human development goals, and domestic banking sectors in rich and poor countries will be part of the solution.
IFC and IFC-supported Sustainable Banking Network laud the Association of Banks in Cambodia
SBFN welcomes South Africa’s Prudential Authority, which operates within the administration of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB, the central bank of South Africa)
ARDFM is committed to moving Kazakhstan’s financial sector towards sustainability and contribute to collective action on sustainable finance through SBFN.
In April 2021, Climate Bonds released the Sustainable Debt-Global State of the Market report, which assesses the scale and depth of the green, social, and sustainability (GSS) debt markets as of the end of 2020.
Established in 1981, MMA is the central bank of the Maldives and the main regulator of the financial sector in the country. MMA recognizes that sustainable finance is vital for Maldives and is committed to develop and implement a national sustainable finance framework in the near term.
There is an enormous business opportunity for climate finance in emerging markets. Over the next decade, it is estimated that there are at least US$23 trillion in climate-smart investment opportunities, including green buildings, renewables, transportation, energy efficiency, waste management, and agriculture.
"The NBU intends to keep its status as a leader in financial sector reform. Our track record includes initiatives to promote sustainable and green finance in Ukraine. "
The World Bank today published a guide to help public debt managers improve their engagement with investors on ESG topics.
Sustainable Banking Network (SBN) welcomes National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), Ukraine’s central bank, as our newest member.
The Association of Serbian Banks (ASB) joined the Sustainable Banking Network (SBN) in October 2020.
This paper is a first attempt to improve the understanding of the sustainable finance ecosystem, its partnerships, actors and emerging network characteristics related to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The MSFA, and a co-chair of the SBN IDA Task Force), with IFC support, translated the Mongolia Green Taxonomy from Mongolian into English
The Indonesia Government has issued Sovereign Global Green Sukuk, totaling US$2.75 billion
EBRD published its first stand-alone report on the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
This report examines the sustainable finance definitions and taxonomies in five jurisdictions: the European Union, China, France, Japan, and the Netherlands
FSD Africa, in partnership with the Climate Bonds Initiative has recently launched the Africa Green Bond Toolkit
The metrics were released Tuesday by the World Economic Forum in conjunction with the fourth annual Sustainable Development Impact Summit
120 of the world’s largest companies supported efforts to develop a core set of common metrics and disclosures on non-financial factors for their investors and other stakeholders.
The MSCI SDG Alignment Tool is designed to provide investors with a complete view of a company’s net contribution towards addressing each of the 17 UN SDGs
The Mongolian Sustainable Finance Association (MSFA) joined SBN in September 2020.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank of the Philippines and a member of SBN since 2013, issued the country's first Sustainable Finance Framework in April 2020, amid the COVID pandemic.
The Financial Superintendence of Colombia launched its Sustainable Finance microsite,
Overview of Environmental Risk Analysis by Financial Institutions and Case Studies of Environmental Risk Analysis Methodologies
It is increasingly recognized that climate change generates major macroeconomic and financial risks
An innovative public-private-academic collaboration to promote sustainable finance
A guide outlining the processes that financial regulators can use to develop a green taxonomy.
NSSMC is a state collegiate body subordinated to the President of Ukraine and accountable to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Social Bonds are use of proceeds bonds that raise funds for new and existing projects with positive social outcomes
Green financing is rapidly gaining traction in the Bangladesh market thanks to the country's specific focus on issuing green loans, according to an International Finance Corporation (IFC) report.
The International Finance Corporation Tuesday said that Bangladesh along with two other Asian countries had identified green finance as a top priority for developing their financial sectors in a sustainable manner.
A new report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) facilitated Sustainable Banking Network (SBN) shows that Bangladesh, Mongolia, and Nepal have identified green finance as a top priority for sustainably developing their financial sectors
a Guide for Supervisors Integrating climate-related and environmental risks into prudential supervision
The World Bank Group today announced its emergency operations to fight COVID-19 (coronavirus) have reached 100 developing countries – home to 70% of the world’s population.
Banco de México and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), presented the report "Climate and environmental risks and opportunities in Mexico's financial system: From diagnosis to action,
The main objective of this Interim Advice is to assist IFC clients in identifying alternative approaches and mechanisms for engaging stakeholder
Banks have three years to integrate sustainable finance into their operations that will protect their businesses from climate change and other environmental and social risks
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper was developed to support thinking on how to respond to the pandemic from a sustainable finance perspective.
With global stock markets having plunged into bear market territory, the conventional wisdom is that the coronavirus storm sinks all boats. Or does it?
The Global Meeting attracted over 100 participants from nearly 40 countries.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka launched the Roadmap for Sustainable Finance in Sri Lanka
All 24 commercial banks in the Ghana have signed up
the experiences of SBN Latin American members in developing national frameworks for sustainable finance.
The traditional means and methods used to achieve ambitious economic goals driven by profit maximisation, particularly in emerging economies, is simply not ecologically sustainable.
European policymakers should use a two-tier approach to define sustainable investments
The Technical Expert Group (TEG) published its final report on EU taxonomy.
The Commission presents a proposal to enshrine in legislation the EU's political commitment to be climate neutral by 2050, to protect the planet and our people
The Central Bank of Nigeria established the Anchor Borrower’s Program (ABP) in 2015 to deepen financial inclusion through the creation of economic linkages between smallholder farmers and large-scale agricultural processes.
Today, celebrities and youth activists met with UN officials, governments and civil society to launch Mission 1.5, a campaign that aims to bridge the gap between people and governments on ambitious climate action.
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) recently joined forces with IFC to build a social and environmental risk assessment toolkit for 10 industry sectors to help credit institutions integrate E&S issues in credit decision making.
The European Union is committed to becoming the first climate-neutral bloc in the world by 2050.
2019 was the year where issues such as sustainability and climate concern dominated public debate
The momentum on ocean protection and restoration has rapidly accelerated particularly since the 2017 Ocean Conference.
IDB launched a research program on the relationship between climate change and financial markets in the LAC region
IFC published the report titled "Green Bonds Development in Bangladesh"
Climate Bonds has released Version 3.0 of the international Climate Bonds Standard; a significant development for green finance.
More than 630 investors who collectively manage over $37 trillion in assets are calling on governments across the world to step up action
This year the threats from climate change spurred demonstrations across the world and prompted the parliaments in the United Kingdom and many other countries to declare a “climate emergency.”
Climate change is already a reality. Ever-more-ferocious cyclones and extended droughts lead to the destruction of infrastructure and the disruption of livelihoods and contribute to mass migration.
The latest version of the Equator Principles (EP) - EP4, referencing the IFC Performance Standards, was launched in Singapore
The latest version of the Equator Principles (EP) - EP4, was launched in Singapore with over 100 attendees
SBN and the National Bank of Georgia co-hosted the Sustainable Finance Conference in Tbilisi
– Progressive green bond and loan issuance for 2019 has just passed USD200bn
Climate change is a source of financial risk.
The Superintendence of Banks and Financial Institutions (SBIF) joined SBN in October
In a massive boost for climate action and sustainability, leading banks and the United Nations today launched the Principles for Responsible Banking
Building upon the momentum from last year’s event, the Bangkok Sustainable Banking Forum 2019 continues to deepen adoption of sustainability practices in the Thai financial industry
In collaboration with 15 commercial banks, the Bank of Thailand will establish guidelines for responsible lending as part of their sustainable business operation.
On the eve of Climate Week, UNEP Inquiry has published a short report about how policymakers can accelerate the availability of financial flows to fund sustainable development.
HKMA today unveiled three sets of measures to support and promote Hong Kong’s green finance development.
Amundi and IFC published a new report on green bonds in emerging markets, which specifically addresses current gaps in the green bond market
The Network for Greening the Financial System collectively acknowledges that climate-related risks are a source of financial risk.
IOSCO´s Growth and Emerging Market Committee (GEMC) published the consultation report Sustainable finance in emerging markets and the role of securities regulators
The Brazilian Federation of Banks (FEBRABAN) implemented the first phase of an institutional project to support Brazilian banks in the adoption of the recommendations published by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) of the Financial Stability Board.
The Moroccan Capital Market Authority (AMMC) joined SBN in December 2018.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the launch of a global task force
In a bid to define the banking industry’s role and responsibilities in shaping a sustainable future, UN Environment Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and 28 banks from around the world are launching the Principles for Responsible Banking for global public consultation today at its Global Roundtable in Paris.
UNEP FI announced a partnership with 16 of the world’s largest insurers
The 2nd Global Green Finance Leadership Program (GFLP) was co-hosted by the Tsinghua Center of Finance and Development and SBN
New regulations and market-level guidance is enabling rapid growth and innovation in green bond issuance, vital to achieve both global climate targets and the (SDGs).
A new initiative led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aims to help channel private investment and capital to meet the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Equator Principles - a global benchmark for sustainable project finance - have been established for 15 years.
"Many regulators in emerging markets are working with IFC through the Sustainable Banking Network"
The SFC is the Colombian government agency responsible for overseeing financial regulation and market systems
Trillions of dollars will be needed to fund the world's human development goals, and domestic banking sectors in rich and poor countries will be part of the solution. But before emerging economies can play an active role in financing social and green projects, their banking sectors need new strategies for evaluating risk
The Union of Banks of Kyrgyzstan joined SBN on March 30, 2018. The Union now comprises 24 commercial banks, two large microfinance institutions, one leasing company and three associate members.
On the basis of the recommendations set out by the High-Level Expert Group on sustainable finance (HLEG), the European Commission announced an EU strategy on sustainable finance
The International Finance Corporation, IFC, has commended the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for implementing sustainable banking principles in the country.
Kenya is one of 34 countries that have introduced banking reforms to expand sustainable lending, making emerging markets a major force in driving development and fighting climate change.
Việt Nam, together with seven other countries – Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Mongolia and Nigeria – have reached an advanced stage where large-scale reforms have been implemented and systems have been put in place to measure results.
Advancing sustainable development across emerging markets is both critical and expensive. The UN estimates that up to $7tn in investment is needed each year to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
The State Bank of Pakistan has taken a phased approach whereby the Guidelines will be complimented by relevant tools and additions subsequently.
The European Commission has proposed giving the European Supervisory Authorities broader powers
The Commercial Banks Association (ABA) of the Dominican Republic joined SBN in September 2017.
The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) officially joined SBN in September 2017.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) is responsible for securing its core objectives of economic and price stability and financial system stability with a view to encouraging and promoting the development of the productive resources of Sri Lanka.
The Brazilian Federation of Banks joined SBN in February 2017.
Panama Banking Association (ABP as per its acronym in Spanish), founded in 1962, includes 91 local and international banking institutions, with international institutions representing circa 80% of the banking sector assets.
At the 4th SBN Annual Meeting in Bali, 1-2 December 2016, members called for enhanced technical support, knowledge products, training, and tools to assist members in designing and implementing national initiatives and guidance on sustainable banking, starting with the member-led Measurement Working Group.
UNEP Inquiry's paper "Green Finance for Developing Countries – Needs, Concerns and Innovations," was launched on the occasion of the United Nations Environment Assembly
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