The Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) supports asset managers, banks, investors, and pension funds to identify and manage material sustainability risks across portfolios
New York, USA – 20 May 2026: The Accountability Framework initiative (AFi), a Coalition of 23 environmental and human rights organisations, has launched the AFi Finance Tool. It is designed to support financial institutions as they asses, identify, and address deforestation, ecosystem conversion, and human rights risks within their investment and lending portfolios.
The AFi Finance Tool helps financial institutions understand where these risks exist and prioritise engagement with companies where action can have the greatest impact. The resource is intended for asset managers, banks, investors, pension funds, and other financial actors that provide capital to companies involved in the production and trade of agricultural and forestry commodities.
As the finance sector faces growing scrutiny over nature- and climate-related financial risks, AFi Director Jeff Milder emphasised the need for action:
“The AFi Finance Tool helps financial institutions identify and address deforestation-related risks associated with their investments and lending in the food and agriculture sector. This meets a growing need as financial institutions look to manage rising regulatory, reputational, and operational risks from deforestation.”
Practical guidance for portfolio assessment and stewardship
The new tool provides a framework for evaluating company performance on environmental and human rights issues, while also guiding institutions on how to engage with clients to drive change. It draws on the Accountability Framework, a consensus-based roadmap for achieving responsible supply chains.
The AFi Finance Tool pulls out key criteria to help financial institutions evaluate their portfolio companies. It includes indicators from leading disclosure and assessment platforms like CDP, Forest 500, Forest IQ, and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). These can help financial institutions understand whether their clients:
- Commit to no-deforestation, no-conversion, and respect for human rights
- Engage stakeholders and collaborate across supply chains
- Assess and monitor environmental and human rights risks
- Align sourcing and supplier policies with commitments
- Disclose risk exposure, traceability, and progress on deforestation- and conversion-free sourcing
The Tool also includes a Stewardship Guide to help financial institutions engage with their portfolio companies on priority issues to drive meaningful change.
Drawing on expertise in sustainable finance
The Tool was developed in collaboration with the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), and piloted by several PRI Spring Signatory Investors. It also draws on the expertise of organisations like CDP, Ceres, Global Canopy, and GRI.
“PRI sees the Accountability Framework as a credible roadmap that sets clear expectations for companies on deforestation, ecosystem conversion, and related human rights issues,” said Tim Steinweig, Head of Stewardship – Nature, PRI. “For investors, resources like the AFi Finance Tool help identify financially material risks, better understand company practices, and support more effective stewardship through clearer, more focused questions.”
The AFi launched the new Tool on its website on 20 May 2026. You can download it here.
About the Accountability Framework initiative
The Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) is a collaborative programme to protect forests, other natural ecosystems, and human rights by making ethical production and trade the new normal. To achieve this critical transformation, the AFi promotes and supports implementation of the Accountability Framework, a detailed roadmap for setting goals, taking action, and reporting progress towards ethical supply chains.
The initiative is led by the AFi Coalition: a diverse group of environmental and human rights organisations from around the world that developed the Accountability Framework and work to drive positive impact in the agriculture and forestry sectors. Its members include Ceres, CDP, Conservation International, Efeca, Forest Peoples Programme, Forest Trends, Global Canopy, High Carbon Stock Approach, HCV Network, Imaflora, Mighty Earth, National Wildlife Federation, Preferred by Nature, Proforest, Rainforest Alliance, Rainforest Foundation Norway, ResourceTrust Network, Rights and Resources Initiative, Social Accountability International, The Nature Conservancy, Verité, World Resources Institute, and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Media contact
Jennifer Toes
AFi Communications Manager
jtoes@ra.org
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