UNEP FI Highlights RBI As A Model Of Responsible Banking

The Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) were created by the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) to facilitate the global transition towards sustainability. These principles are widely recognized as the leading framework for sustainable banking, with over 300 signatory banks that represent almost half of the global banking industry. As the first Austrian banking group, RBI committed itself to the PRB in January 2021.

The signatory banks of the PRB are required to establish and disclose objectives in the areas where they have the most significant impact on society and the environment. The UNEP FI Portfolio Impact Analysis Tool was the first tool to enable banks to analyze the positive and negative effects of their portfolios on the economy, environment, and society. However, both the impact analysis and target setting processes can be complex and challenging in terms of resources and methodology. Therefore, UNEP FI has compiled short case studies on the experiences of three banks to inspire and provide practical insights to other banks.

Recently, UNEP FI selected RBI as one of the global case studies for best practices in responsible banking. These case studies focus on Principle 2 of the PRB, which emphasizes sustainable impact and target setting. This principle highlights the need to continuously increase positive impacts while reducing the negative impacts resulting from banks' activities, products, and services on people and the environment, including risk management. UNEP FI hopes that sharing these cases will assist all other banks in the PRB community. RBI is proud to be part of this publication and to be considered a good practice example. The bank is devoted to continuously improving the fulfillment of the Principles for Responsible Banking.