19 June 2012: The UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and the Latin American Bank Federation (FELABAN) have released a report in Spanish titled “Integración de la Sostenibilidad en las Instituciones Financieras Latinoamericanas” (Sustainable Integration of Latin American Financial Institutions).

The report presents research results on the integration of sustainability principles among 85 public and private banks in 19 countries throughout Latin America. It analyzes the current market situation among Latin American banking institutions and provides an overview of financial sector progress, with an emphasis on sustainability and environmental issues. The report emphasizes the role of lending institutions in developing sustainability policies and considering socio-environmental factors in their operations. The report contains four chapters on: policy, strategy and organization; environmental management; communication and dialogue with stakeholders; and conclusions and future prospects. An additional chapter presents 19 case studies of financial institutions that have made progress in management issues most relevant for the financial sector.

UNEP FI is a global partnership between UNEP and the financial sector that aims to understand the impacts of environmental and social considerations on financial performance. UNEP FI and FELABAN have recently agreed to a partnership promoting sustainable finance in Latin America. [Publication: Integración de la Sostenibilidad en las Instituciones Financieras Latinoamericanas]