PRB Academy launches course on nature & responsible banking

29 / 03 / 2024

By Marwa Nassar - -

The Principles for Responsible Banking Academy (PRB Academy) has launched its latest course, titled “Introduction to Nature and Responsible Banking” in recognition of the pivotal role banks play in safeguarding and restoring the environment.

This course aims to educate banking professionals globally on the significance of nature for the planet, society, businesses, and the economy.

With the world grappling with the intertwined challenges of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, understanding the roles of responsible banking for nature is more crucial than ever.

This course equips learners, irrespective of their career level or job role, with essential frameworks and guidance into assessing nature-related impacts and risks, helping banks to contribute positively to the preservation and restoration of nature.

“This new course will help banking professionals increase their knowledge of nature and biodiversity, as well as the connections between nature, climate and pollution, and just how much their clients’ businesses depend upon the natural world. They will learn how to better identify risks and opportunities related to nature in their day-to-day work, benefiting both banking operations and our society as a whole,” commented Eric Usher, Head of UNEP FI, on the launch of the new course.

Aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework, the course encourages the integration of nature considerations into strategic decision-making processes and capital allocation. Emphasizing practical applications, the course prompts learners to contemplate how they can implement nature-responsible practices within their respective roles, particularly in engaging with customers to identify nature-positive opportunities.

“The Chartered Banker Institute is delighted to launch this new nature course with our partners. It is designed to help all bankers, everywhere, develop an awareness of nature dependencies, nature loss and nature risks and opportunities – and how banks and bankers can apply a nature lens to our decisions and financing activities. Tackling the Triple Planetary Crisis of climate change, pollution and nature loss requires raising the collective understanding of the banking sector of the issues involved, and how we can address these through our professional practice. All PRB signatories – indeed all banks – should therefore integrate this learning into their professional development programs and pathways for all colleagues,” Simon Thompson, Chief Executive of the Chartered Banker Institute.

Looking ahead, the PRB Academy plans to roll out an advanced course, “Applying Nature-Responsible Banking,” in 2024. This course will delve deeper into practical strategies for banks to reduce negative impacts on nature while fostering positive outcomes, thus facilitating a smooth transition towards nature-positive banking practices.