Principles for Responsible Banking

Shaping the future of banking

About

We work with the banking community through the UN Principles for Responsible Banking to accelerate a positive global transition for people and the planet. With over 300 signatory banks representing almost half of the global banking industry, the Principles are the world’s foremost sustainable banking framework. Through the Principles, banks take action to align their core strategy, decision-making, lending and investment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement. The Principles for Responsible Banking include the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, which is the climate-focused initiative of this global framework. We strongly recommend that banks mainly operating in developed economies signing the Principles for Responsible Banking framework also join the climate flagship initiative NZBA.

Highlights

Civil Society Advisory Body challenges Principles for Responsible Banking to speed delivery and sets expectations for future strategic vision

This month marked a historic moment for the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB). Banking industry leaders and civil society representatives from across the globe came together to ...

Principles for Responsible Banking celebrates fourth anniversary with release of progress report

Today, the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB), the world’s foremost sustainability framework for the banking sector, marks its fourth anniversary. Launched in 2019, the Principles are unprecedented in their scale ...

6 Principles for Responsible Banking

Created by the United Nations in partnership with founding banks, the Principles are designed to be integrated into banks’ strategies and across their portfolio of activities, bringing purpose, vision and ambition on sustainable finance to the core of the organisation.

1. Alignment

We will align our business strategy to be consistent with and contribute to individuals’ needs and society’s goals, as expressed in the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement and relevant national and regional frameworks.

2. Impact & Target Setting

We will continuously increase our positive impacts while reducing the negative impacts on, and managing the risks to, people and environment resulting from our activities, products and services. To this end we will set and publish targets where we can have the most significant impact.

3. Clients & Customers

We will work responsibly with our clients and our customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable economic activities that create shared prosperity for current and future generations.

4. Stakeholders

We will proactively and responsibly consult, engage and partner with relevant stakeholders to achieve society’s goals.

5. Governance & Culture

We will implement our commitment to these Principles through effective governance and a culture of responsible banking.

6. Transparency & Accountability

We will periodically review our individual and collective implementation of these Principles and be transparent about and accountable for our positive and negative impacts and our contribution to society’s goals.