B. J. Krumsiek and R. Burrett named Co-Chairs of UNEP Finance Initiative
Source: UNEP
[ added 28 April, 2010 ]
[ return to list ]
Rate
The largest partnership between the United Nations and the financial services sector has elected two new Co-Chairs to steer the initiative in the run up to the landmark UN "Rio+20" Summit in May 2012. Barbara Krumsiek, CEO of the Washington D.C headquartered Calvert Group Ltd, and Richard Burrett, a partner in the London-based Earth Capital Partners, will steer the United Nations Environment programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) for the next two years. UNEP FI includes 190 banks, insurers and investment organizations in its worldwide membership.
Finance and investment to play a lead role in the May 2012 "Rio+20" United Nations Earth Summit Geneva, 27 April 2010 – The largest partnership between the United Nations and the financial services sector has elected two new Co-Chairs to steer the initiative in the run up to the landmark UN "Rio+20" Summit in May 2012.
Barbara Krumsiek, CEO of the Washington D.C headquartered Calvert Group Ltd, and Richard Burrett, a partner in the London-based Earth Capital Partners, will steer the United Nations Environment programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) for the next two years (see Editor's notes for more on the Co-Chairs). UNEP FI, an 18-year-old partnership between UNEP and the financial services sector, includes 190 banks, insurers and investment organizations in its worldwide membership.
The United Nation's "Rio+20" summit will convene in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, twenty years after the original 1992 Rio Earth Summit when world leaders gathered for the first time to discuss environmental and development issues. UNEP FI was formed to provide input to the 1992 summit. The role of finance and capital markets will be central to the Green Economy theme of Rio+20.
"As the economy and the financial sector begin to recover, we have both an opportunity and obligation to build sustainability into the way global financial companies do business," explained Krumsiek. "The challenges finance and investment face on the road to the Rio+20 Summit are considerable. It is a critical time to work for progress and develop the means to deal with the next crisis – which may very well be a natural resources crisis" she added.
Richard Burrett added: "UNEP FI has for many years worked on developing the understanding of environmental, social and governance issues by financial institutions and the risks and opportunities emerging from them. The challenge remains acute. I am excited at the chance to play a greater role in pushing this critical work forward and, importantly, to work with Barbara to steer UNEP FI on the road to the Rio+20 Summit."
'Barbara and Richard have long been at the forefront of promoting sustainability at their own firms and, through their firms' sustainable investment criteria and advocacy – among the world's leading companies,' said Paul Clements Hunt, UNEP FI's Head of Unit. 'We look forward to drawing on their deep knowledge, strong commitment and extensive network of contacts, as we take this initiative forward.'
UNEP FI
The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a global partnership between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the financial sector. Over 180 institutions, including banks, insurers, fund managers and investors, work with UNEP to understand the impacts of environmental and social considerations on financial performance. The Initiative is governed by a Steering Committee, which sets its strategic direction.
