The Climate Principles

The Climate Group, along with a group of major international financial institutions, launched The Climate Principles in 2008.

Credit Agricole, HSBC, Standard Chartered, Swiss Re, F&C Asset Management and BNP Paribas signed on.

Every organization that adopts the Climate Principles is actively managing climate change across the full range of financial products and services, including: research activities; asset management; retail banking; insurance and re-insurance; corporate banking; investment banking and markets; and project finance.

Highlights

Guidance Note: Financing New Coal-fired Power Stations, October 24, 2011 - Read the press release / Download the Guidance Note
Event: Davos, January 26, 2011 - Read the press release / Read the event write-up / Download the Climate Principles Progress Review 2011
Event: Brussels, October 28, 2010 - Financing Electric Vehicles
Event: Paris, June 3, 2010 - BNP Paribas adopts the Climate Principles
Event: Zurich, February 22, 2010 - Financing Decarbonization of the power sector -
Read the event write-up.

Guides and case studies

Disclosure Guidance

We developed guidance as to how the Climate Principles were implemented. Guides are available for:

Case studies

See how some institutions are taking action:

BNP Paribas: ‘Pioneering Carbon Markets’
Credit Agricole: ‘Environment-focussed Services’
F&C: ‘Responsible Engagement to Instigate Change’
HSBC: HSBC case study
Standard Chartered: ‘Insuring Business through Increasing Yields’
Swiss Re: ‘Innovative Protection against Climate Risks’

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about The Climate Principles

Who can adopt the Climate Principles?
Any financial institution can adopt the Climate Principles. One of the strengths of this initiative is that it offers a broad platform for leading international companies across the financial services industry: retail banks, investment banks, institutional investors, insurance and re-insurance companies.

What are the requirements for adoption?
An adopting institution must either have met or be in the process of implementing the commitments outlined in the Principles. Adoption of the Climate Principles must be approved by a senior executive of the financial institution.

What checks are in place to make sure the Climate Principles are being implemented?
There is a regular, formal review carried out by an independent third party to check progress of implementation against the Climate Principles. The check is based on information available in the public domain, for example, the institution's carbon disclosure response and annual sustainability report. Guidance for information in the public domain that is used to demonstrate implementation of the Climate Principles is available online.

What resources are required to adopt the Climate Principles?
There is an annual fee to cover the costs of administration of the group. This fee is reviewed on an annual basis. In addition, each adopting institution may nominate someone to join the Steering Committee of the Climate Principles.

For further information about adopting the Climate Principles contact Ben Ferrari at bferrari@theclimategroup.org