The Association of Banks of Russia together with the United Nations Environment Program Financial Initiative (UNEP FI) held a webinar “Principles of Responsible Banking in Russia”. Center-invest Bank, a member of the Association of Russian Banks and signatory of the Principles for Responsible Banking, acted as the headliner of the event, presenting the experience of ESG banking in Russia.

The purpose of the webinar was to acquaint the Russian banks-members of the Association with the programs of the UNEP FI in the field of sustainable financing, as well as to share the best practices of Russian banks in the implementation of the Principles of Responsible Banking and the integration of ESG factors into banking activities.

Center-invest Bank was one of the first in 2019 to become a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Banking of the UNEP FI, following the results of 2 years of joint work, released a report, where shared the best world practice. ESG banking expands the space and horizon of risks, opens up additional alternatives, advantages and tools to adapt to constantly emerging new challenges.

At the meeting, Dr Vasily Vysokov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Center-invest Bank, spoke about the implementation of ESG banking principles and presented a unique methodology for calculating the ESG balance sheet in the Sustainable Development Goals metrics.

“In ESG planning, it is important not only to set goals, but also to balance them with the transformation of financial, operational, intellectual, informational, human, social and natural capital; take into account financial statements and restrictions, as well as the possibility of operational, credit, market and other risks ", - spoke Professor, Doctor of Economics Vasily Vysokov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Center-invest Bank, Head of the ESG-banking project group of the Association of Banks of Russia.
Mr Georgy Luntovsky, President of the Association of Banks of Russia, noted that sustainable development issues are a global long-term vector. Mr Eric Asher, Head of the UN Environment Finance Initiative, said that more than 250 institutions from Europe are involved in the work of UNEP FI.

Summing up the results of the meeting, all participants noted the high productivity of the exchange of knowledge and practical experience in the field of ESG and the need to continue cooperation in this area. They decided to introduce into their reporting the ESG balance sheet calculation method, which was presented by Center-invest Bank.