Active Sustainable Banking Initiatives

Emirates NBD has joined the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Financial Services Task Force, becoming the first bank from the Gulf Cooperation Council to participate in this group of global banking CEOs tasked with mobilizing large-scale capital for climate- and nature-positive investment. The Dubai-based lender’s inclusion reflects its established environmental, social, and governance achievements, which underpin the institution’s sustainability culture and strategy. Shayne Nelson, Group Chief Executive, emphasized that sustainability is central to Emirates NBD’s operations, and Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, Chief Executive of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, highlighted the importance of unified private-sector action to drive the global transition at the required scale and pace.

Under the partnership, Emirates NBD will collaborate on developing industry-wide standards for environmentally conscious banking and leverage the Financial Services Task Force’s expertise in nature-based financial instruments and standardized banking transition methodologies. Vijay Bains, Chief Sustainability Officer and Group Head of ESG at Emirates NBD, stated that the bank will adopt both national and international standards, engaging employees, customers, investors, and communities to deliver meaningful impact. The bank’s participation marks a significant milestone for the GCC’s role in global sustainable finance and aligns with rising investor demand for eco-conscious operations and the UAE’s strategy to embed sustainability across economic policy and corporate governance.

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