Sustainability
Our memberships
We build our knowledge and understanding of key issues and share best practice through our membership of industry and sector organisations, adoption of global commitments, and implementation of guiding frameworks.
| Membership | Description |
|---|---|
| Equator Principles | The Equator Principles are a set of voluntary guidelines for managing social and environmental issues relating to financing for projects. We only provide loans to projects that adhere to these principles. |
| International Labour Organisation | The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is a United Nations agency which promotes human and labour rights. We fully support the fundamental ILO conventions. However, we’re considerate of labour laws within the countries in which we operate and of the fact that some countries have not ratified all of these conventions. |
| Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development | The OECD promotes policies to improve economic and social well-being for people around the world. It provides a forum for governments to work together and find solutions to common economic, social and environmental problems. |
| UN Global Compact | The United Nations Global Compact comprises ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. |
| UNEP Finance Initiative | We’re a signatory of the United Nations Environmental Programme Statement on Environment and Sustainable Development, a global partnership between UNEP and the financial sector to understand the impacts of environmental and social considerations on financial performance. |
| Universal Declaration of Human Rights | We have policies in place to protect the human rights of our employees, suppliers, customers and communities in which we operate. Our policies also ensure that human rights are taken into account in procurement and lending decisions. |
| Carbon Disclosure Project | We are included in The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), an independent organisation that holds the largest database of corporate climate change information in the world. |
| Climate Bonds Initiative | The Climate Bonds Initiative promotes investment in projects and assets necessary for a rapid transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient economy. |
| Green Bond Principles | The Green Bond Principles are voluntary process guidelines that recommend transparency and disclosure and promote integrity in the development of the Green Bond market. |
| Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil | The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil promotes the growth and use of sustainable palm oil products through credible global standards and engagement of stakeholders. |
| Business Fights Poverty | The Business Fights Poverty community is committed to turning the promises of the Sustainable Development Goals into reality, through open collaboration between business, non-profit and government professionals. |
| Natural Capital Finance Alliance (NCFA) | Financial Sector signatories of the NCFA demonstrate their commitment to integrate natural capital risks and opportunities into their products and services. |
| UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association | The UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association is the membership association for sustainable and socially responsible financial services, promoting responsible investment and other forms of finance that support sustainable economic development, enhance quality of life and safeguard the environment. |
| Thun Group | The Thun Group is an informal group of bank representatives that work together with the primary purpose of furthering understanding of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights within the context of banking and considering how they may be applied across the range of different banking activities. Standard Chartered is a participant in the Thun Group. |
| AFME Sustainable Finance Steering Committee | AFME has established the Sustainable Finance Steering Committee that meets regularly to discuss, debate and develop strategies for increasing the role of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations in wholesale finance. |
| UN Principles of Responsible Banking | The Principles for Responsible Banking are a framework to systematically identify and seize new business opportunities created by the emerging sustainable development economy, while at the same time enabling banks to effectively identify and address related risks. |
| Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) | The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero is the world’s largest coalition of financial institutions committed to transitioning the global economy to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. |
| Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Markets | The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (Integrity Council) is an independent governance body for the voluntary carbon market. They will set and enforce a definitive global threshold, drawing on the best science and expertise available, so high-quality carbon credits efficiently mobilize finance towards urgent mitigation and climate resilient development. |
| Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance | ORRAA’s mission is to catalyse the investment of at least USD$500 million into coastal and marine natural capital through the development and deployment of finance products that build the resilience of 250 million climate vulnerable coastal people, by 2030. |
UN Global Alliance of Investors for Sustainable Development | The Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD) Alliance is a group of leaders of major financial institutions and corporations from across the world. It is convened by the United Nations Secretary-General to deliver solutions that scale up private finance and investment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). |