Sustainable Finance
The term “sustainable finance” covers all forms of financial service for which environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria are factored into business or investment decisions for the long-term benefit of customers and society as a whole. The motivation for doing so can vary. For instance, customers may incorporate ESG criteria into their decision-making for purely financial reasons, to reflect their personal values or with a view to making a contribution to positive changes. As a result, there are also a variety of different approaches to accommodating these motivations and preferences – and thus a range of ESG-focused financial solutions.
The SBA made sustainable finance one of its priorities back in 2018 and supports the goals formulated by the Federal Council in 2020 to strengthen the Swiss financial centre’s role as a leading hub for sustainable finance. With this in mind, the Association is tackling the issue from various angles: