A joint approach with UNEP to develop sustainable finance facilities
Following the 1st initiative, “Tropical Landscape Finance Facility” (TLFF) that was launched in Indonesia at the end of 2016, BNP Paribas and UNEP in December 2017 signed an agreement with the aim to support projects for small farmers in fields such as access to renewable energies, agroforestry, access to water, etc.
TLFF is a green loan platform for financing projects that should change the lives of millions of Indonesians in rural areas. The operation was completed in February 2018: a huge sustainable rubber-tree plantation, validated by the WWF, that was financed through a debt platform set up by BNP Paribas.
“ BNP PARIBAS IS THRILLED TO SUPPORT SUCH AN IMPRESSIVE PROGRAMME WHICH SEES THE WELL-BEING OF FARMERS AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AS VITAL FOR A SUSTAINABLE, PRODUCTIVE ECONOMY. AS A BANK, WE MAKE A POINT OF CREATING PARTNERSHIPS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT NOT ONLY LOOK AT FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE, BUT ALSO AT POSITIVE IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY.”
Antoine Sire
Director of the Company Engagement Department - BNP Paribas
UNEP and BNP Paribas are continuing their joint efforts once again to deploy this financing programme model, this time in India. The 2nd initiative, which was announced on 2 June 2018, forms part of the Sustainable India Finance Facility (SIFF) with the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh that has about 50 million inhabitants. The state wants to develop Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), an ancestral technique, which combines different crops and breeding to increase the productivity of farms and limit the need to buy seeds, fertilizers or chemical products from outside.
At present, the government of Andhra Pradesh has already made the necessary investments to carry out a ZBNF trial with 220,000 farmers. The trial was conclusive, and has allowed these farmers not only to act for their environment, but also to get out of the debt induced by buying expensive chemical products. The programme will now include the gradual transition of 6 million farmers to ZBNF, with a 1st phase of 500,000 farmers by the first quarter of 2019.
BNP Paribas committed to achieve SDGs
UN estimates that between $5,000 and $7,000 will have to be mobilised to achieve the SDGs. $2,500 billion will be needed only for developing countries. BNP Paribas wants to actively support the achievement of SDGs by offering its customers a viable economic model to develop and sustainably extend financing sources over the long term. As a key player in finance, BNP Paribas has the capacity to reach global investors and has acquired expertise in multilateral conversation management. BNP Paribas has already mobilised EUR 155 billion in financing for energy transition and sectors considered to contribute directly to SDGs.
Photos ©APZBNF