The Chief Executives of some of the world’s largest banks created the Banking Environment Initiative (BEI) in 2010. Its mission is to lead the banking industry in collectively directing capital towards environmentally and socially sustainable economic development. |
The Banking Environment Initiative is convened by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), which also provides the Secretariat. Decisions and positions of the group do not represent the policies or positions of CISL or of the wider University of Cambridge.
Programme
Sustainable agricultural supply chainsThe Soft Commodities Compact is a unique client-led initiative that aims to mobilise the banking industry as a whole to contribute to transforming soft commodity supply chains and help clients achieve zero net deforestation by 2020. The Sustainable Trade Finance Council (STFC) aims to leverage banks’ role as facilitators of international trade and thereby accelerate the transition to a world where importing sustainably produced commodities, at scale, is a new market norm. |
Fintech for sustainabilityThe BEI’s work on Fintech for Sustainability started with its Fintech Taskforce. This Taskforce has published a series of recommendations on the fundamental design questions related to how multinational companies, financial institutions and entrepreneurs should work together to harness fintech to help solve sustainability challenges in the real world. These recommendations are currently being implemented. |
Financial regulation for sustainabilityThe BEI engages in the regulatory debate, including the EU and China, to evolve a level playing field for sustainable business models. For example, the BEI has served as a Knowledge Partner to the G20 Green Finance Study Group and is represented on the European Commission's High Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance. |
Banking in the low carbon economyThe BEI’s work in the Low Carbon Economy aims to enable banks to protect and deliver value derived from the zero carbon economy. The first project of this workstream started in autumn 2017 and is called Bank 2030. It will produce a vision for the banking sector in the low carbon economy, as well as a best-practice guide for Chief Executives and professionals which identifies relevant good practice in banking. |
Latest news
Understanding investments’ sustainability performance to enable more sustainable investment choices
October 2018 – The concept note proposes a new approach that would help pension beneficiaries make better decisions regarding the sustainability performance of their pensions.
New green trade finance platform will support China’s Belt & Road trade initiative
December 2017 – A landmark agreement amongst Chinese stakeholders to form a pre-competitive, industry level platform for green trade finance in China was made at a high level summit convened by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and the Banking Environment Initiative (BEI). China has the largest trading volumes in the world, as well as being a major importer of commodities produced around the world. Commitments to green trade finance made at this summit have the potential to trigger change of global significance.
Blue chips and startups launch new fintech pilot for more sustainable supply chains at the One Planet Summit
12 December 2017 – Six international companies and banks and four fintech startups today announced a pioneering new initiative that will test whether blockchain and other technologies can help unlock financial incentives that reward sustainability in supply chains.
10 recommendations for using fintech to help solve sustainability challenges in new report from CISL
November 2017 –The Fintech Taskforce, convened by CISL’s Banking Environment Initiative, today presents its recommendations on how to design collaboration between multinationals, financial institutions and starts-ups to help solve critical global challenges.
Banking Environment Initiative welcomes HSBC
8 June 2017 – The Banking Environment Initiative (BEI) welcomes its newest member, HSBC, to its membership of 12 global banks working to lead the banking industry in directing capital towards socially and environmentally sustainable economic development.
