Network for Greening the Financial System

The NGFS is an international collaborative structure which aims to green the financial system and strengthen its efforts towards achieving the Paris Climate Agreement goals. For instance, the NGFS assesses how central banks and supervisory authorities can better manage climate-related and environmental risks in the financial sector, and it explores the available options for mobilising capital for green and low-carbon investments.

International network

DNB has been involved in the NGFS since its inception in December 2017. Other pioneers include the central banks and supervisory authorities from China, Germany, France, Mexico, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Sweden. Today, 140 central banks, supervisory authorities and organisations from around the world have joined the NGFS. Sabine Mauderer of the Deutsche Bundesbank serves as the network’s third Chair, succeeding Ravi Menon (Monetary Authority of Singapore) and ECB Executive Board Member and former DNB Executive Board Member Frank Elderson. Banque de France is in charge of the secretariat.

NGFS members

NGFS members come from all over the world, from both advanced and less advanced countries. Several European institutions have also joined, such as the ECB, EBA, EIOPA and ESMA. International organisations including the IMF, the BCBS, the OECD and the World Bank have joined as observers. A full overview of all members and observers can be found on the NGFS website.

Why the work of NGFS is needed

Climate change and environmental degradation bring risks to the financial sector that are new and difficult to analyse. “However,” argues Fundi Tshazibana (South African Reserve Bank), Vice-Chair of the NGFS, “coordinated, early policy efforts can reduce risks and secure long-term economic benefits for all. Physical climate impacts will far outweigh the challenges of transition if we don’t raise our level of ambition now.”

What the NGFS does

In six working groups, NGFS members work together on:

• Supervisory practices with respect to managing climate-related risks
• Design and analysis of climate scenarios
• Implications of climate change for monetary policy
• Guidance for central banks on the transition to net zero
• Nature-related financial risks, and
• Climate adaptation.

In addition, expert networks specialise in the areas of data, research and legal issues, and the NGSF is committed to knowledge building. Read more in the NGFS 2022-2024 work programme).

DNB and the NGFS

DNB is a permanent member of the NGFS Steering Committee. Cindy van Oorschot, DNB Sustainability Programme Director, represents DNB on the Steering Committee.

DNB participates in all working groups and is one of the initiators of the Task Force for Nature-related Risks and the Blended Finance initiative.

See the NGFS website for more information.