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On June 22 and June 25, 2026, the Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN), in collaboration with the Taxonomy Roadmap Initiative (TRI), convened a Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Roundtable with four interconnected sessions in London, during the London Climate Action Week. The event brought together SBFN members, policymakers, COP Presidencies and international and regional partners to exchange practical insights on advancing the development, interoperability, and implementation of sustainable finance taxonomies across emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).

The discussion highlighted a clear shift across countries—from designing taxonomy frameworks to focusing on effective implementation and real-world impact. Participants emphasized that taxonomies can only deliver results when actively used to support financial decision-making, including labeling, reporting, performance benchmarking, and the design of policy incentives.

The expert session showcased a range of tools and approaches developed under the TRI to support countries in advancing interoperability and practical application. These included the Principles for Taxonomy Interoperability, the TRI Progress Report (2026 expansion), and the Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Mapper (Phase 2 plan), which enables comparison of taxonomy approaches across jurisdictions at a detailed level. Speakers also highlighted that taxonomies are most effective when embedded within broader sustainable finance frameworks, including disclosure requirements, reporting systems, and public policy measures.

Emerging topics session reflected the evolving priorities of SBFN members and partners, with discussions focused on expanding taxonomies beyond climate mitigation to include adaptation and resilience, social dimensions, and SME transition finance. Speakers emphasized the need to accelerate efforts to integrate these areas into practical, user-oriented approaches that enable real-world uptake by leveraging tools, such as SBFN’s upcoming Social Taxonomy Toolkit.

A key feature of the roundtable was the exchange among SBFN members. Countries highlighted diverse approaches, including whole-of-government coordination, phased implementation strategies, and the use of pilot programs to test taxonomy application in practice. At the same time, common challenges emerged across members, including data availability, institutional coordination, technical complexity, and the need for locally adapted criteria.

The discussion reinforced several key lessons:

1. Taxonomies are most effective when integrated into broader policy frameworks, rather than functioning as standalone tools. 
2. A whole-of-government approach is critical to connect financial sector initiatives with real economy priorities. 
3. Localization is essential to ensure that taxonomy criteria are applicable and credible in different national contexts. 
4. The need to strengthen engagement with investors to ensure that taxonomies can support capital mobilization, including cross-border investment flows.

The roundtable concluded with a shared recognition that sustainable finance taxonomies are not an end in themselves, but a means to channel finance toward sustainable development objectives.