The Banking Environment Initiative (BEI) is a group of global banks committed to pioneering actionable pathways towards a sustainable economy. The BEI co-produces horizon scanning applied research, develops leadership tools and convenes academic and industry collaborations. It is a member-led, not-for-profit group convened by CISL and initiated in 2010 with the support of The Prince of Wales.

Decisions and positions of the group do not represent the policies or positions of CISL or of the wider University of Cambridge.

BEI objectives and outcomes

Our projects... Are leading edge and innovation focused Connect to change in the real economy Leverage a unique pre-competitive environment	Helping to... Decarbonise the global economy Protect and restore nature Support inclusive and resilient societies	By ensuring that... Capital acts for the long term Capital is priced according to the true cost of business activities Financial structures better serve sustainable business

The BEI activities drive impact through:

The University of Cambridge’s research and academic excellence
Capacity building and knowledge generation
Tools and services to enhance best practice
Two-way dialogue and network engagement with CISL’s sustainable finance, corporate and policy communities

The BEI has a track record of leading on emerging themes including:

BEI circular diagram

Areas of focus

Protect and Restore Nature

Our Financial Risks of Biodiversity and Land Degradation project, a joint venture with CISL’s Investment Leaders Group, is a collaboration between banks, asset managers and University of Cambridge academics to identify and assess nature-related financial risks.

In January 2021, the ‘Soft Commodities’ Compact concluded with the publication Banking Beyond Deforestation. This report shares lessons and includes a five-part action plan detailing how the banking industry can contribute to halting and reversing deforestation.

The Fintech Taskforce 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. Trado, a technology pilot exploring data for benefits in supply chains, put the Taskforce recommendations into practice.

Decarbonise the Global Economy

Bank 2030 looked at the role that banks can play to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy. A roadmap was created for the banking sector to demonstrate how the sector need to develop a forward-looking and strategic approach to their product offer and customer service model. It provides opportunities for chief executives and professionals to support the transition to a low carbon economy.

Ongoing work includes the development of a tool focused on Client Engagement: Reshaping the bank-client relationship to accelerate the transition to a net zero economy.

Previous publications include Banking and Sustainability: Time for Convergence in collaboration with UNEP FI.

Meet the team

The BEI sits within the Centre for Sustainable Finance. The Centre leads research and fosters greater co-operation across the financial sector. Through a unique combination of deep industry collaboration, high-calibre research, and exceptional education programmes, the Centre for Sustainable Finance helps financial institutions to play a leading role in building a more sustainable economy.

Within the Centre are three membership platforms, which cover investment – the Investment Leaders Group (ILG) and insurance – ClimateWise – and banking – the Banking Environment Initiative (BEI).