30 April 2026 - Emirates NBD will join CISL and fellow BEI members in inputting into pioneering research and leadership tools designed to scale sustainable business transformation across the global banking sector.
Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) has welcomed Emirates NBD as the newest member of its Banking Environment Initiative (BEI), convened by the Centre for Sustainable Finance
Represented by Vijay Bains, Chief Sustainability Officer and Group Head of ESG, and Komal Sharma, Senior Manager, ESG Strategy and Governance, Emirates NBD will work alongside CISL and fellow BEI members to co‑develop pioneering research that shapes and scales business transformation and accelerates action for a sustainable future.
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, formed in 2010 and convened by CISL alongside our investor and insurer groups.
As a leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT) region, Emirates NBD brings valuable regional expertise and a strong commitment to embedding sustainability across financial services. Their membership marks an important step in expanding the BEI’s global reach and strengthening its collaborative efforts to support a resilient, inclusive, and nature‑positive economy.
Vijay Bains, Chief Sustainability Officer and Group Head of ESG at Emirates NBD:
“Through the Banking Environment Initiative, we see a unique opportunity to advance on some of the most complex sustainability and transition finance challenges, bringing together leadership, practical solutions and world-class academic insights from Cambridge to drive meaningful progress at scale.”
Komal Sharma, Senior Manager - ESG Strategy and Governance:
“The Banking Environment Initiative provides a valuable platform to move from sustainability ambition to practical implementation. The collaboration and shared expertise, supports enhanced execution, and drives more consistent outcomes for sustainability priorities.”
Quote from Gwyn Rhodes, Head of the Banking Environment Initiative:
“I am thrilled to welcome Emirates NBD to the BEI. Their drive to incorporate sustainability into the core of their culture and operations, in addition to their commercially focussed approach, aligns well with CISL’s goals to bring greater resilience to the financial sector and encourage financial institutions to step up their support of real economy firms driving the transition.”