Become a Supporter – United Nations Environment – Finance Initiative
UNEP FI Supporters play a key role in championing the efforts of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) to advance sustainable finance across the globe.
Supporters are non-profit organizations that carry out activities relevant to the work of UNEP FI and help to promote UNEP FI’s vision, mission and resources, encouraging responsible finance practices within their own networks, and enabling the implementation of sustainable finance initiatives at global, regional and national levels.
Through knowledge sharing and local engagement, Supporters help expand the reach and effectiveness of UNEP FI programmes across Africa and the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.
UNEP FI Supporters voluntarily carry out at least one activity each year that would promote either the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) or Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI). Such activities include but are not limited to providing training, hosting events, translating materials and conducting research.
- Keep informed: Stay informed on sustainable banking, insurance, and investment trends and thought leadership.
- Be engaged: Participate in surveys, consultations, peer exchanges, stakeholders’ engagement, and expert-led sustainability discussions.
- Benefit from expertise: Invite UNEP FI representatives to participate in your organization’s events and activities.
- Demonstrate leadership: Contribute to thought leadership and help advance sustainability integration across the financial sector through supporting UNEP FI-led country or regional initiatives.
UNEP FI Supporters are non-profit organizations within the financial system who play a meaningful role in advancing sustainable finance, and who wish to collaborate with UNEP FI to pursue this agenda but do not meet the criteria to become members of UNEP FI. Typically, these include:
- Industry Associations (Banking, investors and insurance).
- Financial regulators and policy makers
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- Academia
- Standard-setting bodies
Supporters are expected to actively engage in the advancement of UNEP FI’s mission without the same commitments as full members . They should undertake at least one activity annually to support UNEP FI’s work in accelerating the integration of sustainability practices in the banking, insurance, or investment sectors. This may be done in various ways, such as:
- Promoting UNEP FI, its frameworks (including the Principles for Responsible Banking, Principles for Sustainable Insurance), initiatives and thematic works at public conventions, events, and meetings.
- Disseminating UNEP FI guidance, resources, tools, surveys, and other materials through their networks, newsletters, website, and social media.
- Collaborating on research, surveys, interviews, reviews, consultations, or other initiatives, aligned with UNEP FI priorities.
- Facilitating access to UNEP FI materials in local languages where appropriate, to increase accessibility and regional impact.
- Collaborating on the organization of UNEP FI meetings, events, and training (e.g. through regional engagement forums or partner-hosted workshops).
- Engaging in training and capacity-building activities including PRB Academy and other training initiatives.
- Taking part in activities to build an enabling environment to align financial institutions’ activities with the SDGs and other UN frameworks and agreements.
- Championing UNEP FI-affiliated country or regional initiatives to support sustainable finance implementation (e.g. Nairobi or Bogota Declarations)
Becoming a UNEP FI Supporter
Step 1: Apply
Review UNEP FI’s mission, frameworks, and the eligibility criteria and expectations for Supporters.
Interested and eligible organizations should apply to the UNEP FI Secretariat below:
Step 2: Assessment
UNEP FI Secretariat reviews the application and conducts a risk assessment. Further information and/or exchanges may be requested if necessary.
Step 3: Confirmation
Supporter Status is confirmed by the Secretariat, where appropriate.
Supporters are expected to undertake at least one activity annually to support the work of UNEP FI and communicate to the UNEP FI Secretariat on delivered activities at least every three years.
The supporter’s status will be reviewed every three years, or earlier if UNEP FI does not receive updates within the agreed timeframe.