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 Training
 
Environmental & Social Risk Analysis E-Learning Programme

14 July, 2008 -1 August, 2008
Africa

22 September, 2008 - 10 October, 2008
Central and Eastern Europe
 
     
 Events
  Bankable Water Sustainable - Sustainable Water Bankable
20 August, 2008
World Water Week, Stockholm, Sweden
 
     
  UNEP FI and WBCSD address the ESG inefficiency of Capital Markets in Emerging Economies – Part 1: South East Asia
31 July, 2008
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
 
     
  UNEP FI and WBCSD address the ESG inefficiency of Capital Markets - US Pilot
11 July, 2008
New York City, USA
 
     
  Changing Landscapes: Towards a Sustainable Economy in Asia
17-18 June, 2008
Seoul, Korea
 
     
  Integrating Biodiversity into Investment Decisions
29 May, 2008
Bonn, Germany
 
     
  UNEPFI and Citi Roundtable on Sustainable Finance in West Africa
21-22 May, 2008
Lagos, Nigeria
 
     
  » All Events  

 

Collaborations
  Division of Technology, Industry, and Economics  
 
 
 
     

 

Bankable Water Sustainable - Sustainable Water Bankable ?

20 August, 2008

‘Water is a human right and not a business’. ‘Water is a strategic investment area and a product to pay for.’

Through co-convening a high level side-event at World Water Week the World Bank’s Water & Sanitation Program and UNEP FI’s Water & Finance Workstream will display that these two usually diametrically opposed ideological approaches can be mutually supportive in achieving satisfactory results: socially, environmentally, financially. Just how?

Step in and find out more.

 

UNEP FI and WBCSD address the ESG inefficiency of Capital Markets in Emerging Economies – Part 1: South East Asia

31 July, 2008

Are capital market makers still not convinced of the financial relevance of corporate sustainability issues or do they simply lack the information and instruments needed to truly act ESG inclusively? Is the sustainability-related information delivered to the capital markets appropriate and provided in the right format?

After three Workshops in traditional financial centres (UK, Switzerland, US), UNEP FI's Asset Managment Working Group (AMWG) together with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) now bring these questions to the quickly emerging markets of South East Asia and invite regional investment firms to come to Kuala Lumpur and participate in this newly initiated global dialogue with multinational 'investee' companies.

Step in and find out more.

 

UNEP FI and WBCSD address the ESG inefficiency of Capital Markets - US Pilot

11 July, 2008

Are capital market makers still not convinced of the financial relevance of corporate sustainability issues or do they simply lack the information and instruments needed to truly act ESG inclusively? Is the sustainability-related information delivered to the capital markets appropriate and provided in the right format?

After two European Workshops, UNEP FI's Asset Managment Working Group (AMWG) together with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) now bring these questions to Wall Street and invite US-based investment firms to participate in this newly initiated global dialogue with multinational 'investee' companies.

Step in and find out more.

 

The UNEP FI Human Rights Work Stream publishes a CEO Briefing on Human Rights

23 June, 2008

The UNEP FI Human Rights Work Stream published a CEO Briefing on Human Rights, providing an introduction to the business and human rights debate and sketching out some of the key human rights challenges presently faced by the finance sector. The Briefing discusses some of the key questions faced by companies such as the applicability of international human rights law to companies in the finance sector, the specific human rights expectations of companies in the finance sector, the business case for action and the limits to responsibility. In addition, the Briefing presents a practical management framework for companies in the finance sector seeking to more effectively manage the human rights issues to which they are exposed.

View report.

 

The UNEP FI Property Working Group and PRI publish "Building Responsible Property Portfolios"

17 June, 2008

The new report is a review of current responsible property investing practices developed jointly by the UNEP FI Property Working Group and the Principles for Responsible Investment. The report provides guidance on how the Principles for Responsible Investment can be applied to property assets by highlighting international best practice examples of leading UNEP FI and PRI signatories.

View report.

 

Changing Landscapes: Towards a sustainable economy in Asia

14 May, 2008

Dialogue on sustainable finance, responsible investment and corporate citizenship - today and tomorrow

17-18 June 2008 | Seoul, Republic of Korea

This special event is jointly hosted by the Principles for Responsible Investment, UNEP Finance Initiative and UN Global Compact, the United Nations' three leading sustainability-driven public private partnerships. The conference will offer a unique platform for dialogue between financiers, investors and businesses on the latest issues in the field of sustainable finance, responsible investment and corporate citizenship at special joint afternoon sessions and an exclusive Gala dinner on 17 June. We expect over 600 participants from South Korea and abroad to attend, including leaders in the field of business, politics, academia and civil society. The special joint breakout sessions held between the organisations will examine in greater detail environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors across the business activities of financial institutions, institutional investors and corporations.

UNEP FI, in association with our partner in Korea, Eco-Frontier, will be hosting the 'UNEP FI Conference on Sustainable Finance' during the morning of the 17 June and all day on the 18 June. This event will run in parallel with PRI and the UN Global Compact's own events. The UNEP FI event will be examining the latest trends and issues in sustainable finance and responsible investment. For more information please visit the event page.

 

Launch of Bloom or Bust - A financial sector briefing on biodiversity & ecosystem services

31 March, 2008

The business case for biodiversity & ecosystem services is not just about conserving endangered species. It is becoming an issue of global policy that the benefits provided by biodiversity are valued and accounted for within traditional business risk frameworks.

This report, developed by UNEP FI's Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services Work stream (BESW) provides direction for financial institutions that wish to manage biodiversity & ecosystem service risks more effectively. It also illustrates how opportunities and tools for financial products and services can be developed.

View the report.

 

 

Featured Publications
  PDF CEO Briefing on Human Rights
(552 KB | 12 pages)
 
    
  This Briefing clarifies how human rights relate to the activities of financial institutions and develops practical tools and guidance that can be used by the sector to better assess and manage its human rights-related risks.  
     
  PDF Building Responsible Property Portfolios
(416 KB | 16 pages)
 
    
  International best practice examples of leading UNEP FI and PRI signatories on how to apply the Principles for Responsible Investment to property assets.
Contributors and Resources
 
     
  PDF Innovative financing for sustainable small and medium enterprises in Africa
(546 KB | 28 pages)
 
    
  In many emerging markets, the SME sector is one of the principal driving forces for economic growth and job creation  
     
  PDF Narrowing the gap: A survey of the barriers and drivers to commercial microfinance in Africa
(1.3 MB | 32 pages)
 
    
  Commercial microfinance in Africa can play a critical role in sustainable growth.  
     
  PDF Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services - Bloom or Bust?
(1.2 MB | 39 pages)
 
    
  Ecological balance is one of the key pillars of sustainable development.  
     
  PDF Carbon Crunch: Meeting the Cost
(754 KB | 16 pages)
 
    
  An analysis of the finance sector’s role in helping meet the cost of climate change.  
     
  MoreAll Publications