The UN’s Principles for Responsible Banking provides a framework that enables banks to put sustainability at the heart of their businesses. By becoming signatories, they commit to aligning their business strategy and practice with the Sustainable Development Goals and the goals of the Paris Agreement.
One year ago, on 22 September 2019, at the UN General Assembly and in the presence of the UN Secretary-General, more than 130 banks launched the Principles. One year on, the number of signatories has grown to nearly 200 banks that collectively look after the business of more than 1.6 billion customers worldwide and represent around 40% of global banking assets.
To mark the 1-year anniversary, the coalition of signatories is sharing their progress and experiences as they have taken the first steps to far-reaching change. Through a series of short videos and online content, employees from the banks as well as members of civil society groups are sharing their experiences and views regarding the change achieved in the first 12-months.
They talk about the change the Principles have guided within their own bank and for the banking industry as a whole; how working as a coalition has helped banks in this implementation phase and how the Principles and the community of signatories have helped them more effectively support their clients and communities through the COVID-19 crisis.
