Advancing sustainability in the financial sector
UBS's key activities
Advancing sustainability in the financial sector – UBS’s key activities in 2019
Initiative | Initiative | Focus topic | Focus topic | Role / activity of UBS | Role / activity of UBS | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Initiative | Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) | Focus topic | Sustainable finance | Role / activity of UBS | Founding signatory of the PRB | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Active input to the consultation process and participation at PRB launch event |
Initiative | Financial Stability Board Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) | Focus topic | Climate change | Role / activity of UBS | Member of TCFD and aligning of UBS disclosure with TCFD recommendations | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Continued development and implementation of TCFD |
Initiative | UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) | Focus topic | Climate change | Role / activity of UBS | Collaborates in developing approaches to help banks disclose their exposures to climate- related risks and opportunities, as envisioned by the TCFD | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Launched second phase working group to expand risk and opportunity assessment methodologies, climate scenarios, and related data and tools, building on previous efforts disclosed in two publicly available reports |
Initiative | EnergyCom | Focus topic | Climate change | Role / activity of UBS | Premium partner | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Key annual Swiss SME event on climate and energy topics |
Initiative | Climate Action 100+ | Focus topic | Stewardship / climate change | Role / activity of UBS | Directly involved in 30 coalitions of investors and engagement lead on seven coalition dialogues | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Engagement resulted in strengthened climate change commitments from some of the world’s largest energy producers |
Initiative | Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change | Focus topic | Climate change | Role / activity of UBS | Participant and stream lead | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Chairing working group dedicated to exploring the alignment of portfolios to the goals of the Paris Agreement |
Initiative | Circular Economy Incubator (Impact Hub) | Focus topic | Responsible production | Role / activity of UBS | Premium partner. In addition, we support Swiss start-ups in developing innovative business models which follow the idea of a circular economy (resell and reuse, repair and refurbish). | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Incubator for Swiss sustainable start-ups |
Initiative | Paris Agreement Capital Transition Assessment (PACTA) | Focus topic | Climate change | Role / activity of UBS | One of 17 banks pilot-testing and shaping the development of the methodology | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | First assessment on the alignment of corporate lending portfolios with the Paris Agreement benchmarks completed |
Initiative | Natural Capital Finance Alliance | Focus topic | Natural capital | Role / activity of UBS | Participant in various work streams | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Continued participation in advisory committee for the second stage of the project tool ENCORE (Exploring Natural Capital Opportunities, Risks and Exposure) |
Initiative | Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF) | Focus topic | Sustainable finance | Role / activity of UBS | Member of SSF board | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Events and projects to promote sustainable finance in Switzerland |
Initiative | Association for Environmental Management and Sustainability in Financial Institutions (VfU) | Focus topic | Sustainable finance | Role / activity of UBS | Member of VfU board | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Events and projects to advance sustainable finance in Germany, Austria and Switzerland |
Initiative | Thun Group of Banks | Focus topic | Human rights | Role / activity of UBS | Convener of Group | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Thun Group input to OECD Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) guidance |
Initiative | Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD) | Focus topic | Due diligence | Role / activity of UBS | Member of advisory group of OECD Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) project | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Launch of OECD guidance on Due Diligence for Responsible Corporate Lending and Securities Underwriting |
Initiative | Belt and Road Green Investment Principles (GIP) | Focus topic | Climate change and sustainable finance | Role / activity of UBS | Signatory to the GIP | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Participation at the first GIP Plenary meeting |
Initiative | Institute of International Finance (IIF) Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) | Focus topic | Sustainability standards and regulation | Role / activity of UBS | Member of IIF SFWG and lead on policy and regulatory engagement | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Best practices on TCFD, proposal to simplify SI taxonomy, greening infrastructure, and continued input to other initiatives including EC TEG |
Initiative | Global Impact Investing Network | Focus topic | Sustainable finance | Role / activity of UBS | Member of Investor Council | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Regular dialogue and event presentations |
Initiative | IFC Operating Principles for Impact Management | Focus topic | Sustainable finance | Role / activity of UBS | Founding signatory, Advisory Board member | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Launch and publication of Principles, led by World Bank's IFC |
Initiative | Impact Management Project (IMP) | Focus topic | Sustainable finance | Role / activity of UBS | Project partner | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Integration of IMP conventions into diligence and investment approach |
Initiative | PRI (Principles for Responsible Investment) | Focus topic | Sustainable finance | Role / activity of UBS | Various, including members of SDG Advisory Committee | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Proposals on how to measure SDGs for corporations |
Initiative | Global Research Alliance for Sustainable Finance and Investment (GRAFSI) | Focus topic | Sustainable finance | Role / activity of UBS | Sponsor | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Advance theoretical understanding of SI / ESG integration |
Initiative | UBS ESG and Sustainability Symposium | Focus topic | Sustainable finance and investing | Role / activity of UBS | Organizer | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | One-day conference around the key issues the financial markets are navigating, including academic panel (in collaboration with GRAFSI) |
Initiative | UBS Conferences, e.g., European Conference, Greater China Conference | Focus topic | Various | Role / activity of UBS | Organizer | Key outcome of initiative in 2019 | Variety of panels on sustainable finance, climate risk, energy transition, etc. |
