Leadership Council

Chaired by Inger Andersen, United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, the UNEP FI Leadership Council meets annually to provide vision and strategic direction to UNEP FI in orienting its role and that of the UN, in shaping, mainstreaming and deepening sustainability integration across the industry. It is designed to further mobilise the financial community to support a sustainable, resilient and inclusive economy.

The Leadership Council brings together CEOs and Chairpersons of banks and insurers currently represented on one of the three elected UNEP FI governance bodies; the Global Steering Committee, the board of the Principles for Responsible Banking or the board of the Principles for Sustainable Insurance. The first annual meeting was held in November 2021 – download the key takeaways.

Download the key takeaways of the 2023 meeting

Chair

Inger Andersen

United Nations Under-Secretary General and
Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme

UNEP FI Leadership Council

Leadership Council News

Driving change – what we learned from the UNEP FI Leadership Council

In November 2021 the UNEP FI Leadership Council convened 20 CEOs of banks and insurers across six continents to debate…

03 December 2021

UNEP FI Leadership Council annual meeting 2023: a roadmap for sustainable finance

06 February 2024

New UNEP FI Leadership Council explores sustainable finance integration and alignment

25 November 2021

New UNEP FI Leadership Council marks a step-change in sustainable finance landscape

18 November 2021

Quotes

Eric Andersen, President, Aon plc

“The leadership council is a great opportunity – across the private and public sectors – to jointly address global challenges. By working together and leveraging data and analytics we can innovate and create more comprehensive solutions to build greater resiliency across businesses and communities—resulting in a positive societal impact across the globe.”

Carlos Torres Vila, Chairman, BBVA

“The fight against climate change is one of the greatest disruptions humanity has ever faced. A global challenge that requires huge investments and everyone’s involvement. The UNEP FI Leadership Council will provide a platform for the UN and the financial sector to accelerate the transition to a net zero economy.”

Jean-Laurent Bonnafé, Director & CEO, BNP Paribas

“At BNP Paribas, we put sustainable finance at the heart of our business model. We believe banks have a crucial role to play, leveraging our place at the centre of the economy, in order to bring together individuals, businesses and investors to channel resources towards projects which address the major social and environmental challenges facing society.”

Frank Vang-Jensen, CEO, Nordea

“It’s an honour to join the UNEP FI Leadership Council. For the financial industry to deliver on its net-zero targets, a key step is to set intermediate targets. At Nordea, we’re committed to reach our mid-term target to reduce carbon emissions from our lending and investment portfolios by 40 to 50 percent by 2030. We encourage our peers to join us in setting similar, tangible targets, so we can see action now and in the future.”

Thomas Buberl, CEO, AXA

“AXA has been a pioneer in the fight against climate change. Our policy covers all our activities, as an insurer, investor and coalition-builder. AXA was one of the first companies to exclude coal from its investments, has some of the most restrictive exclusions on unconventional oil and gas, set a green investment target of $26 billion by 2023 and chairs the Net Zero Insurance Alliance. The climate emergency requires further strong, collective and continuous action. AXA is determined to play its part to drive the transition of our economies, in line with our purpose: “act for human progress by protecting what matters”.”

Christos Megalou, CEO, Piraeus Financial Holdings

“Global challenges, such as climate change, requires global mobilization to intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future. Working in partnership with the UN provides a collaborative framework and encourages deeper engagement that can accelerate change both within the financial institutions and the economies they support.”

Oliver Bäte, CEO Allianz

“The collaboration between private investors and the UN significantly advanced sustainability in the financial industry. It has accelerated the mobilization of capital for the urgently needed transition to net zero. With this, we jointly foster climate-resilience and stable growth in global economies.”

30 years of UNEP FI

Remembering Richard Hansen: our humble, high-flyer

Remembering Richard Hansen: our humble, high-flyer

Principles for Responsible Banking to strengthen climate ambition to meet increased expectations

UNEP FI reappointed as observer in EU Platform on Sustainable Finance

Principles for Sustainable Insurance

Priorities and Initiatives

Turning point: How policymakers can shift the trillions needed for the net-zero transition

UNEP FI @ COP28

Export credit agencies supporting billions in global trade form net-zero alliance

Getting Started

Sustainable Blue Finance

Leading financial institutions input into next round of negotiations to redirect finance to end plastic pollution

Impact Protocol