06-11-2023 10:45

Anja Hannerz joins the Banking Board of the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative

The UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) brings together a large network of banks, insurers and investors that collectively works across the financial system for more sustainable economies and for giving their customers more sustainable choices. Anja Hannerz will be the representative for Scandinavia on the Banking Board.
Head of Group Sustainability Anja Lidgren Hannerz
Anja Hannerz, Head of Group Sustainability.

UNEP FI is a UN-convened global network of +500 banks, insurers and investors that has committed to driving and supporting the transition to more sustainable and inclusive economies worldwide. The initiative works with banking members predominantly through the UN Principles for Responsible Banking, which is governed by the UNEP FI Banking Board where Anja Hannerz, Nordea’s Head of Group Sustainability, will hold a seat from January 2024.   

The Principles for Responsible Banking were created four years ago with Nordea as a founding bank. According to Anja Hannerz they have brought great value both to the financial sector and to Nordea: 

“Signing the Principles of Responsible Banking means that we have committed to driving change for the financial sector on a global scale. We believe that with our strong position in the Nordics we can bring valuable insights to the work of UNEP FI and share good examples of banking in the Nordics. We also get the opportunity to stay ahead of the curve by taking part in knowledge sharing with external experts and global thought leaders within sustainability so we can further refine our own strategy and targets.

Nordea has an essential role in guiding our customers and businesses through the transition. By engaging and collaborating globally, we improve our ability to support our customers and local societies long-term.

The framework consists of 6 Principles designed to bring purpose, vision and ambition to sustainable finance, including a commitment to work responsibly with clients and customers. Anja Hannerz explains the direct link from the Principles to what customers will experience and get from Nordea:

“Nordea has an essential role in guiding our customers and businesses through the transition. By engaging and collaborating globally, we improve our ability to support our customers and local societies long-term. Through the Principles, we have promised to take action to align our core strategy, decision-making, lending and investments with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement. This is what customers can and should expect from us and we look forward to continuing the work of developing the Principles further.” 

About the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative

Founded in 1992, UNEP FI was the first organisation to engage the finance sector on sustainability and incubated the Principles for Responsible Investment, now the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. 

Today, more than 500 banks, investors and insurers with assets exceeding USD 170 trillion work together to facilitate the implementation of UNEP FI’s Principles for Responsible Banking and Principles for Sustainable Insurance as well as three UN-convened net-zero alliances. With over 300 signatory banks representing almost half of the global banking industry, the Principles for Responsible Banking are the world’s foremost sustainable banking framework. 

Sustainability at Nordea

Banks and financial services are central to channeling capital towards sustainable growth. Growth aiming at cutting emissions and creating positive impact on our societies. Within the next two years, Nordea will facilitate EUR 200 billion of sustainable financing. This equals around EUR 270,000 every single day between 2023 and 2025. We want to make every resource count and every dream of a better tomorrow a reality.  

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