FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

More than 55 financial institutions have publicly committed to set emissions reduction targets through the SBTi. In 2018, the SBTi launched a project to help financial institutions align their lending and investment portfolios with the ambition of the Paris Agreement.

• Read our blog: How Can Financial Institutions Deliver on the Paris Agreement?
• Read the strategy and theory of change that underpin the SBTi’s approach to enabling financial institutions to reduce real economy emissions and contribute to the net-zero transition through science-based targets.

World Resources Institute (WRI) is the managing SBTi partner for this project and works closely with WWF and CDP through a project core team.

Financial support is being provided by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), ClimateWorks Foundation, Dutch Platform Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), Keeling Curve Prize, Hewlett Foundation, and The Bank of New York Mellon.

The SBTi’s framework for financial institutions is being developed through an inclusive, multi-stakeholder process, including consultation with: an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) representing financial institutions, consultants, NGOs, and academic institutions; financial institutions participating in method road testing; and a broader Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) which provides input at key milestones in the framework development process.

Here are highlights from the development process:

• September 2018: First EAG meeting. Read a summary of the discussion.
• December 2018: EAG meeting to introduce the draft methods and solicit initial feedback.
• February 2019: EAG meeting to obtain feedback on the road-testing process.
• April 2019: Launch of methods road-testing process. Watch a recording of the webinar and view slides.
• April-September 2019: Gathered feedback from financial institutions and other stakeholders on draft asset class-based methods through road-testing process and an open stakeholder consultation.
• October 2019: Hosted a webinar to share a summary of feedback received from companies participating in the road testing process. Watch a recording of the webinar and view slides. Read a summary of method road-testing feedback (December 2019).
• November 2019: Co-hosted a webinar with Global Compact Network Australia and WWF to share progress on methodologies with financial institutions in Oceania and Asia Pacific. Watch a recording of the webinar and view slides.
• February 2020: Hosted workshops in London and Tokyo to gather feedback from stakeholders on draft target validation criteria. View slides here.
• April 2020: Hosted a webinar to initiate public call for feedback on development of a new temperature scoring draft methodology for companies and investment portfolios. Watch a recording and view slides.
• April-May 2020: Conducted public consultation to gather input from stakeholders on draft target validation criteria and tool development process that will serve as central components of the SBTi’s framework for financial institutions.
• May 2020: Hosted a webinar to share a summary of stakeholder feedback on draft target validation criteria. Watch a recording and view slides.
• May 2020: Participated in a webinar hosted by the Institute of International Finance to share a project overview and update. View recording.
• August 2020: Public consultation on the first draft of the Financial Sector Science Based Targets Guidance took place from August 6-27, 2020.
• July-August 2020: Beta testing of an open-source temperature scoring and portfolio coverage launched.
• August-October 2020: Revised the first draft of the guidance based on feedback received in the survey and other engaged stakeholders; revised the Temperature Rating and Portfolio Coverage tool and tool documentation based on feedback received from beta testers.

For general questions, please contact:

• Nate Aden, Senior Fellow, World Resources Institute
• Chendan Yan, Research Associate, World Resources Institute

For questions about the SBTi Finance Tool for Temperature Scoring & Portfolio Coverage, please contact:

• Donald Linderyd, Sustainable Finance Project Manager, WWF Sweden

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The initiative defines a financial institution as one that engages in investment activities as part of its core functions. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Asset management/asset owners
2. Retail and commercial banking activities
3. Insurance companies (when functioning asset managers)
4. Mortgage real estate investment trusts (REITs)

In addition, if at least 5% of a company’s revenue comes from activities such as those described above, they would be considered a financial institution.

The financial sector’s largest impact comes from its investment and lending activities (known as scope 3 emissions) and therefore it is imperative that targets for this sector encompass such activities.