Name: Ocean Investment Protocol: Aligning financial flows with the transition to a Sustainable Ocean Economy
Start: 2025-05-28T13:00:00Z
End: 2025-05-28T13:01:00.000Z
Location: BrightTALK
Rating: 0

United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a partnership between United Nations Environment and the global financial sector created in the wake of the 1992 Earth Summit with a mission to promote sustainable finance. More than 240 financial institutions, including banks, insurers, and investors, work with UN Environment to understand today’s environmental, social and governance challenges, why they matter to finance, and how to actively participate in addressing them.

UNEP FI’s work also includes a strong focus on policy – by facilitating country-level dialogues between finance practitioners, supervisors, regulators and policy-makers, and, at the international level, by promoting financial sector involvement in processes such as the global climate negotiations.

Hosted by UNEP FI and Eco-Business, this webinar will share insights into China’s policy development and facilitate exchanges between China and the rest of the world. As China defines and implements its national ESG disclosure regulations, what does 2025 hold for banks and other financial sector actors? How should China and Europe collaboratively advance the sustainable finance policy agenda to meet commitments to the Paris Accord and SDGs? 

Guo Peiyuan, Chairman of China Sustainable Investment Forum, will give a presentation, which will be followed by a panel discussion.

Speakers include:
- Gemma Sanchez Danes, Senior Leadership Team, EFRAG
- Wei Yuan, Project Lead of China ESG Advisory and Asia Coordinator of SBFN, IFC 
- Fei Li, Global Co-Director of Disclosures, CDP

Moderator: Shouqing Zhu, China Policy Senior Advisor, UNEP FI

This webinar is the second in UNEP FI’s new APAC Policy Webinar Series in partnership with Eco-Business. This series is an offering of UNEP FI’s Regulatory Implementation Support Programme.

Image credit: Unsplash / Danijel Durkovic

Development of ESG information disclosure regulations in China

This session will showcase the work of the European Banking Authority (EBA) in the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data space. Boris Jaros, Policy Expert - ESG Risks and Sustainable Finance, at the European Banking Authority, will present the highlights from EBA's recent report, "Data Availability and Feasibility of Common Methodology for ESG Exposures".  

This discussion will highlight the importance of ESG data, its availability and credibility, and how it affects banks’ ability to correctly address sustainability-related risks. 

Moderators:
- Daniel Bouzas, Regional Lead - Europe, UNEP FI
- Guilherme Cassaro, Regulatory Implementation & Engagement, UNEP FI

This session is an offering of UNEP FI's Regulatory Implementation Support Programme.

Availability and Credibility of ESG Data

Hosted by UNEP FI and UN Women, this webinar will discuss the role of financial institutions in driving gender equality and financial inclusion. This session will introduce the recently launched "Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Target Setting Guidance for Banks", showcasing how banks can utilize the guidance to support efforts in closing the gender gap. The webinar will also showcase real-world examples of how banks are successfully integrating gender strategies into their operations.

Attend this session to:
• Gain insights into why gender equality is a business imperative for financial institutions.
• Learn from industry leaders about successful gender-responsive strategies.
• Discover practical tools and case studies that demonstrate the measurable impact of gender-responsive financial practices.
• Engage with global experts and be part of the movement shaping the future of sustainable and inclusive banking.

This webinar is open to all financial institutions, NGOs, consultants, and professionals committed to advancing gender-responsive finance.

Banking for a Better Future: Advancing Gender Equality for Healthy and Inclusive Economies

Through the UN Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) many banks from Africa and the Middle East (AME) have started building a baseline of climate capabilities as well as setting their climate commitments and initial targets. Banks from the region are also seizing the commercial opportunities presented by sustainable finance in various climate mitigation sectors, including in renewable energy, green hydrogen, clean transportation, renewable-powered sea-water desalination projects, etc. 

However, with evolving regulations and public policies, further progressing of climate mitigation efforts requires continual strategic transformations and internal technical capacities development. 

This webinar will provide the opportunity for participants to learn from the experiences of leading financial institutions from the region as they showcase their climate mitigation efforts and engage in a peer-to-peer exchange on challenges ahead and opportunities from local and regional perspectives. It will provide an understanding of:

• the approaches different AME banks have taken towards climate mitigation, including the consideration of the evolving regulations and policies
• the foundational work banks have completed to develop an operational capacity for climate mitigation, including on climate risk management, impact analysis, and climate reporting
• how AME banks evaluate how climate change impacts their operations and portfolios across business lines and sectors, in alignment with the climate priorities outlined in NDCs and client/stakeholder needs

Speakers include:
• Ms. Mbombo Luhembe, Absa Group
• Mr. Samuel Kweku Kumah, Fidelity Bank Ghana

This webinar is part of a series of regional sessions on various climate-related topics relevant to the needs of banks from AME.

Advancing climate mitigation capabilities of banks in Africa & Middle East: Insights on challenges & opportunities

Tackling climate mitigation represents a multifaceted and multi-year transformation for banks in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, impacting every single aspect of their business and operating models. Through initiatives like the UN Principles for Responsible Banking and the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, many APAC banks have started taking the required steps towards climate mitigation by building a baseline of climate capabilities and setting climate targets in line with their national jurisdictions. However, with evolving standards, methodologies, public policies, and regulations, the path forward remains dynamic, and approaches vary significantly across different banks.

This webinar will provide participants with the opportunity to learn about the Climate Mitigation Journey—a climate strategy asset that outlines all the business capabilities banks need to build and iterate over the coming years to align their financing with the Paris Agreement. The session will take a specific focus on APAC's challenges, opportunities, and practical implications related to decarbonization including:
• Examining current emissions breakdown
• The evolving regulatory & disclosure landscape
• Emerging climate trends 

By exploring these aspects, participants will gain insights into how banks can effectively navigate this transformation and capitalize on emerging opportunities in the climate space.

Navigating the climate landscape in Asia Pacific: Climate mitigation strategies for banks in the region

Hosted by UNEP FI and Eco-Business, this webinar presents a new policy brief, “Sustainable Finance Taxonomies in ASEAN: Towards Regional Harmonization”.

Taxonomies are a key tool for setting clear and consistent definitions for sustainable economic activities, in Asia-Pacific and beyond, and helping channel more capital towards global sustainability agendas while mitigating risks linked to greenwashing. 

The region is poised to become a key player in shaping global sustainable finance standards. Five of the ten ASEAN Member States have already developed their own national taxonomies, which are anticipated to continue to evolve with regular updates to align with scientific advancements; transparency, such as public disclosure of eligibility criteria; and regional collaboration.  

UNEP FI recently published a report taking stock of sustainable finance taxonomies across ASEAN and the degree to which these align with the ASEAN Taxonomy. In this webinar, UNEP FI report authors will share the main findings of the report and bring together key regional experts who will discuss how to further advance harmonization in this space. 

Part 1: 
Overview of main findings of the policy brief, including major components of the regional ASEAN Taxonomy and structure of ASEAN Member States' national taxonomies and alignment with ASEAN Taxonomy elements.

Part 2: 
Deep-dive presentations from leading experts in the region to share their perspectives and experience in promoting a more harmonized sustainable finance market. 

Speakers:
- Rhodora M. Brazil-De Vera, Deputy Director, Financial Supervision Sector, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
- Ornsaran Pomme Manuamorn, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, World Bank
- Eugene Wong, CEO, SFIA

This webinar is the first in UNEP FI’s new APAC Policy Webinar Series in partnership with Eco-Business. This series is an offering of UNEP FI’s Regulatory Implementation Support Programme.

Image: Fokkebok / Envato

Sustainable Finance Taxonomies in ASEAN: Towards Regional Harmonization

This webinar will focus on the perspectives of banks and other relevant stakeholders regarding the EU Omnibus Simplification Package and its expected impact on their companies and businesses. 

The Omnibus Simplification Package is a legislative initiative that was introduced by the European Commission (EC) on the 26th of February, aimed at simplifying, consolidating, and streamlining existing EU sustainability regulations – including among others the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD or CS3D), and the EU Taxonomy – with the goal of reducing administrative burdens and enhance competitiveness within the EU. 

This session is offered as part of UNEP FI’s Regulatory Implementation Support Programme, which is designed to help UNEP FI members and other stakeholders understand, implement, and comply with sustainable finance regulations and reporting requirements through public and UNEP FI members-only programming.

Speakers:

•  Thorbjørn Lundholm Dahl – Deputy Head of Group Sustainability, Danskebank
•  Silvia Irazoqui, Global Sustainability Team, BBVA
•  Marta García de Oteyza, Sustainability Group Vice President, Santander
•  Robert Spruijt – Managing Director – EMEA Head Sustainable Solutions Group, ING
•  Brent D. Matthies, PhD., Group Head, ESG Framework and Coordination, Nordea

Moderators:
•  Daniel Bouzas, Europe Regional Lead, UNEP FI
•  Rocio Falcones, EU Policy Lead, UNEP FI


Check back soon for additional confirmed speakers.

EU Omnibus Simplification Package: Implications and Banks' Perspectives

The webinar provides an overview of the progress the Net-Zero Export Credit Agencies Alliance (NZECA) and its members have achieved since the Alliance's launch at COP28 and takes a deep dive into the NZECA Target-Setting Protocol.

The Protocol is a science-based framework for export credit agencies (ECAs) and export-import banks (ExIms) pursuing the path to net-zero and a guiding document for NZECA members to meet the commitments made when joining the Alliance. 

Join representatives of the ECAs leading in the climate action space, scientists and UNEP FI experts as they explain the approach proposed by the Protocol and its potential to align climate commitments on trade finance and accelerate the decarbonisation of international trade globally in a coherent science-based manner.

The webinar will provide the opportunity for the audience to ask their questions to NZECA members and will be interesting for the wide variety of actors interested in sustainable trade finance.

Unpacking target setting for net-zero trade: Progress of the Net-Zero Export Credit Agencies Alliance

This webinar, led by the Diana Chepn’geno, Africa and Middle East Coordinator for the V20 Sustainable Insurance Facility will be a discussion between experts in banking and bancassurance covering climate risks and its repercussions on the business operations and overall strategies of banks or MFIs. The conversation will explore the possible challenges and solutions faced by institutions in securing their resilience and that of their MSME clientele. 
Secondly, the webinar will feature a presentation by a prominent climate risk modelling expert, covering what it means to conduct climate risks assessments and how to quantify climate risk exposure of an institutions’ portfolio with a specific focus on parametric portfolio coverage.

A Lens Into Climate Risks Resilience & MSMEs: Insights For Banks & Insurers

This webinar will bring together experts and practitioners to discuss how evolving nature and pollution disclosure trends are shaping financial strategies. The session will explore key developments, from advancements in data transparency and market tools to the role of regulatory frameworks in driving nature-positive outcomes. Participants will gain actionable insights on embedding nature and pollution considerations into portfolios, supporting alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and promoting sustainable, resilient financial decision-making.

Agenda
Introduction and Report Presentation
 • 14:00 – Webinar introduction | UNEP FI
 • 14:05 – Content presentation: updates | UNEP FI
 • 14:15 – Pollution findings | UNEP FI
Panel Discussion
 • 14:20 – Moderation and first question | UNEP-WCMC
 • Panelists: IFRS Foundation, TNFD, GRI, EFRAG
Wrap-up
 • 14:55 – Reminder on webpages and AOB

Accountability for Nature: Comparison of Nature-related Assessment and Disclosure Frameworks and Standards

Join the V20 Sustainable Insurance Facility for a special webinar launching the new “100 Banks Strategy” to an audience in the Latin America and Caribbean Region. This webinar, conducted in Spanish, will be the first public introduction to the updated theory of change for how insurance can be best utilised to protect the economies of climate-vulnerable nations. 
The 100 Banks Strategy is designed to qualify working solutions to the insurance gap for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in climate-vulnerable economies by assessing the climate risk of an entire investment portfolio. This approach to combining climate risk presents previously unavailable opportunities for insurance cover by overcoming the problem of scale in grouping these smaller-value insurance premiums, making them more viable for insurers to underwrite.
The 100 Banks Strategy addresses the problem of the insurance gap for MSMEs in V20 Nations by enabling banks to act as demand aggregators for insurance policies for small businesses within their investment portfolios. This system facilitates easier access to insurance for these businesses while supporting banks in managing their glowing climate-related financial risks.
The webinar will be hosted by Gabriel Perez, Latin America and Caribbean Coordinator for the V20 Sustainable insurance facility, leading a conversation with regional industry leaders who will discuss the broader issues, such as the institutional challenges in developing MSME lending products, climate risks and credit risk management, MSME impact and adaptation strategies, and implementing solutions and strengthening financial resilience. 

Speakers will include:
• Lina María Toro, Líder de Finanzas Sostenibles Colombia - Banco Davivienda
• Gina Carvajal Vega, Gerente General Corporativa del Banco Popular
• Oscar Fernando Hernández Diaz, Gerente de Sostenibilidad en Bancamía

Financial Resilience for MSMEs: A Climate Risk Strategy for Banks, Cooperatives, and MFIs

Now in its fourth year, the annual New Green Shoots webinar highlights cutting-edge innovations in finance for nature-positive outcomes. This year’s session focuses on data transparency, market tools, and institutional products advancing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) goals. Featuring expert insights from Finance for Biodiversity Foundation, EU Business & Biodiversity Platform, PRI and other industry experts, the webinar will explore pioneering solutions such as Earth Observation data applications, biodiversity-linked bonds, regenerative finance initiatives in emerging markets, and nature-credit frameworks, providing actionable strategies for financial institutions to embed nature-based solutions into their portfolios.

New Green Shoots 2025: Latest trends and innovations in nature finance

Join the webinar for the launch of the Human Rights Resource Kit, a comprehensive, step-by-step tool designed to help financial institutions to align with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The tool is the result of a coordinated effort between UNEP FI and the European Investment Bank (EIB), which supported the development of the toolkit and financed the project.

The following speakers are confirmed:
Phil Bloomer, Executive Director, Business and Human Rights Resource Centre
Fernanda Hopenhaym, Chairperson, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights
Charlotte Hill, Senior Sustainable Finance Advisor and Human Rights Focal Point, European Investment Bank
Lea Juliussen, Human Rights Lead, Danske Bank 
Louise Vytopil, Sustainability Expertise Lead, ABN AMRO 
Joana Pedro, Social and Human Rights lead, UNEP FI

Launch of the UNEP FI Human Rights Toolkit for financial institutions

The interconnected nature of sustainability challenges demands a shift from siloed approaches to holistic systems thinking. For financial institutions, recognising and managing interlinkages between environmental, social, and economic factors is critical to driving meaningful impact and supporting sustainable development. By addressing these interconnections, financial institutions can leverage positive impacts across their portfolios and avoid unintended risks. 

This webinar will unveil the latest insights and resources to help organisations navigate and manage the complex interlinkages between different impact areas. It will feature the latest edition of the UNEP FI Interlinkages Mapping and the accompanying document Understanding and Managing Interlinkages.

Unpacking the Power of Interlinkages for Holistic Impact Management

Hosted by UNEP FI and WWF, this webinar presents a new joint publication: Navigating Nature-related Regulations for Banks: Mapping the Policy Landscape. As nature-related regulatory initiatives are picking up globally, this webinar helps attendees make sense of these developments around the world, and how broader policy frameworks interact. This webinar is open to all, with a focus on representatives of banks, central banks and supervisors, and government policymakers.

Central banks and supervisors are starting to acknowledge the necessity of tackling nature-related risks as part of their prudential mandate. Already, 29 jurisdictions around the world—totaling more than EUR 75 trillion of banking assets—have started reflecting nature-related considerations in their prudential frameworks. However, prudential regulation does not act in isolation, as it is part of a wider system of rules, such as corporate disclosures, taxonomies, and due diligence obligations, that depend on and inform each other. This creates a complex interplay of linkages that interact locally within but also globally across jurisdictions. 

The following speakers are confirmed:
Marc Reinke, Co-chair of Taskforce on Nature-related Risk, NGFS / Head of Sustainable Finance Office, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB)
Guan Schellekens, Team Lead of the Climate Risk Project Management Office, European Central Bank (ECB)
Katie Lee Sheah Tsan, Climate Policy Strategist, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)
Sem Houben, Nature Risk & Policy Specialist, UNEP FI
Pina Saphira, Nature Economy Lead, WWF Greening Financial Regulation Initiative
Maud Abdelli, Lead, WWF Greening Financial ReguIation Initiative
Laura Canas da Costa, Global Policy Co-Lead, UNEP FI
Romie Goedicke den Hertog, Nature Co-Lead, UNEP FI

Agenda: 
Part 1 – Report findings; the global state of play of nature-related regulations for banks 
Part 2 – Case studies on nature-related policy initiatives by central banks

Navigating Nature-related Regulations for Banks

As the year draws to a close, join the UNEP FI Climate Team for a comprehensive reflection on the key outcomes of COP29 and a broader summation of 2024’s climate milestones. This webinar will unpack critical discussions from COP29, including the evolving role of carbon markets in global climate strategies and their implications for the financial sector. Participants will also gain insights into major climate reports released this year, such as UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2024, offering a snapshot of where we stand on the path to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Designed as a year-end wrap-up, the session will provide a holistic view of 2024’s progress in climate finance, policy, and action, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for financial institutions in aligning portfolios with net-zero commitments. Engage with leading experts to explore the key takeaways from COP29, the state of global climate governance, and what lies ahead for 2025.

Overview of 2024 in climate

Seafood supply chains are at the heart of global food systems, yet they face significant environmental and social challenges. Traceability is key to addressing these risks and unlocking sustainable opportunities. 

A partner coalition made of the FAIRR Initiative, Planet Tracker, UNEP FI, the World Benchmarking Alliance and WWF US started a Seafood Traceability investor engagement to encourage major seafood companies to develop and implement full-chain, digital and interoperable traceability systems. 

Join us on December 5th for the launch of "Tracing Risk and Opportunity: The Critical Need for Traceability in Seafood Supply Chains", a new report by the FAIRR Initiative. This report synthesizes insights from the first year of the Seafood Traceability investor engagement, which brought together 35 investors representing US $6.5 trillion in combined assets to collaboratively engage seven global seafood companies in constructive dialogues about supply chain traceability. 

The webinar will delve into the importance of traceability in seafood supply chains and explore the findings from the report, which offers actionable recommendations for investors and seafood companies. Attendees will hear from leading traceability technologists, investors, and sustainability experts on the progress made so far and the challenges that remain on the road to robust traceability.

Do not miss this opportunity to learn about the next phase of the Seafood Traceability engagement and how you can drive meaningful change in global seafood supply chains.

Speakers include:

Laure Boissat, Senior ESG Analyst Biodiversity & Oceans, the FAIRR Initiative
Lauren Lynch, Manager - Blue Finance (Ocean ESG), WWF-US
Dai Yamawaki, Senior Portfolio Manager, Nomura Asset Management 
Emily Claire Mackey Faubel, Associate, ESG Engagement, Rockefeller Asset Management
Blake Harris, Technical Director, Global Food Traceability Center, Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)

Tracing Risk and Opportunity: The Critical Need for Traceability in Seafood Supply Chains

A Sustainable Ocean Economy—often termed the sustainable blue economy—is increasingly recognized as both an ecological imperative and a financial opportunity. As the ocean contributes critical ecosystem services, food security, and economic prosperity, its value continues to grow. If the ocean economy were treated as a country, it would have ranked as the fifth-largest globally in 2019, with its gross value added doubling from US$1.3 trillion in 1995 to US$2.6 trillion in 2020, according to the OECD. This growth, averaging 2.8% annually, underscores the ocean’s expanding role in global sustainable development and economic resilience.

For the financial sector, the transition to a Sustainable Ocean Economy presents a unique investment frontier. Private capital is positioned to drive this transition by funding the modernization of trade and energy infrastructure, sustainable food systems, and emerging ocean-related sectors. The Ocean Investment Protocol provides a framework for financial institutions, insurers, development banks, and ocean-based industries to align with Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and related objectives. By proactively managing environmental risks and leveraging sustainable opportunities, the finance industry can play a pivotal role in shaping a thriving, resilient ocean economy.

Ocean Investment Protocol: Aligning financial flows with the transition to a Sustainable Ocean Economy

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Ocean Investment Protocol: Aligning financial flows with the transition to a Sustainable Ocean Economy

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