Let’s Discuss Nature with Climate: Engagement Guide

This guide has been developed by the Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and members of the Banking Environment Initiative (EIB) and the Investment Leaders Group (ILG). It aims to support the market-wide transformation towards a net-zero and nature-positive economy, the interaction between banks and investment managers and their clients and investee companies.  

The current need for economic transformation, underpinned by the climate and natural crises, presents significant risks to financial institutions and businesses (financial, operational, regulatory, litigation, and reputational). 

This engagement guide focuses specifically on the relationship between the financier and the borrower, and aims to empower customer service staff of banks and investment managers to help portfolio clients and investee companies to act on opportunities, risks and compliance requirements related to nature and climate. This guide is intended for (1) bank relationship managers and (2) investment manager analysts/portfolio managers. It aims to enable constructive and informative conversations between these financiers and portfolio clients/investees on nature and climate transition plans and associated financing needs.  
The guide presents a five-phase approach to integrating nature into existing climate commitments.