The Financial Times and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, have launched the 2013 FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Awards, the world’s leading awards for financial institutions that are integrating environmental, social and corporate governance considerations into their business.
Now in their eighth year, the awards also highlight partnerships between financial and non-financial companies such as technology firms and infrastructure groups that are finding innovative and commercially viable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges. The 2012 programme attracted 161 entries from 145 financial institutions and 36 non-financial groups in 67 countries.
A new thematic category for 2013 is Achievement in Inclusive Business, which will highlight ground-breaking initiatives by companies and financial partners that incorporate people at the Base of the Pyramid into their value chain as suppliers, distributors, retailers or customers.
Martin Dickson, US Managing Editor of the Financial Times and co-chair of the Sustainable Finance Awards judging panel, said: “The world faces not only persistent economic uncertainty but also unparalleled resource constraints that are putting pressure on social systems across both developed and emerging markets. This situation makes sustainable investment, and these awards, ever more relevant.”
“Strong environmental, social and corporate governance performance brings benefits to companies, shareholders and society,” said Nena Stoiljkovic, IFC Vice President Business Advisory Services, who also co-chairs the judging panel. “The awards recognise the importance of sustainable finance for tackling climate change, creating jobs, and opening up economic opportunities for poor people and others who have been excluded.”
The FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Awards this year will reward leadership and innovation on an institutional and transactional basis across five categories.
- Sustainable Bank of the Year
- Sustainable Investor of the Year
- Sustainable Investment of the Year
- Technology in Sustainable Finance
- Achievement in Inclusive Business
The first category is open to banks; the remaining categories are open to all financial institutions. Non-financial companies may apply for the Sustainable Investment, Technology and Inclusive Business awards. In the case of Sustainable Investment, applications by non-financial companies should highlight a partnership with a financial institution.
As part of the overall Sustainable Bank of the Year category, Regional Awards will be offered for achievements in Africa/Middle East, Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe, and a Global Sustainable Bank of the Year prize will be open to institutions with assets of more than US$500bn, substantial operations on at least two continents, and more than 20 per cent of revenue earned outside the country of incorporation.
Entries will be accepted until April 1, 2013. Entry forms and criteria are available here www.ft-live.com/sustainablefinance.
The dinner will conclude the 2013 FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Conference, a major one-day summit that will gather some of the world’s most renowned visionaries, strategists and financial decision-makers.
Sponsor/exhibitor contact
Michael Lundby
[javascript protected email address]
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