The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a unique global partnership between UNEP and the private financial sector. The partnership aims to support the full integration of environmental considerations into all aspects of the financial sector's operations, products and services.

UNEP FI and EPA Victoria, under a Memorandum of Understanding, have been working collaboratively in the Australasian region since 2000. We have delivered a comprehensive work program in Australasia designed to support the development of green products, services and operations that has included collaborative research, capacity building forums, training programs, action orientated publications as well as hosting and supporting international and local initiatives and events.  

We have seen the Australasian signatory base grow from two signatories to nine, covering the insurance, banking and asset management sectors. We have facilitated the incorporation of environmental issues into credit risk management lending guidelines and insurance risk premiums, we have seen green financial products launched and an online training course outlining the importance of climate change for the financial sector delivered. Recently, we have also seen a surge in investor interest with over 50 Australasian institutions signing up to the Principles of Responsible Investment to date.

In a region increasingly challenged by drought and climate change UNEP FI and EPA Victoria will continue to work with Australasian financial institutions to help organisations move from ”awareness to action”.

http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/bus/unep/default.asp