September 2017: UN Environment’s Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) has launched the second edition of a report titled, ‘Guide to Banking and Sustainability.’ The report reviews what a sustainable bank looks like and is designed to help employees at all levels to integrate sustainability across their bank.

The report includes chapters on leadership, sustainability, risk, legal, corporate banking, retail banking, communications, human resources and general services. The report identifies options for banks and shares examples of real life practices related to the chapter topics.

A sustainable bank understands and manages the risks that arise because of sustainability issues, according to the report.

The forward highlights three key messages related to defining a sustainable bank: addressing sustainability issues requires responsibilities and actions to be taken at all levels and across all the key functions of banks; a sustainable bank understands and manages the risks that arise because of sustainability issues, and also perceives the strategic dimension of these issues; and communicating and engaging within the bank, as well as with peers and stakeholders, is critical.

UNEP FI launched the 2nd edition at the Regional Roundtable for Sustainable Finance in Latin America and the Caribbean, which took place on 7 September 2017 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. [UNEP FI Press Release on book launch][Publication: Guide to Banking and Sustainability: Second Edition]