12.18.2002 ET

(CSRwire) GENEVA,SWITZERLAND - The Johannesburg Summit confirmed the critical importance of the relationship between finance and sustainability. Will financial institutions and capital markets become a key driver of sustainability? This fundamental question remains unanswered.

Now, the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiatives (UNEP FI)will do its part to shine light on this complex issue and, in April 2003, will bring to you a summary report covering twenty-one months of the 'UNEP FI Global Consultation on Finance and Sustainability.' UNEP's private sector partners ­the Financial Institutions Initiative Association and the Insurance Industry Initiative Association ­have sponsored development of the report over a two-year period.

The report will include:
* Comprehensive summaries of key UNEP FI finance and sustainability meetings from around the globe including participant lists.
* Super summaries of the UNEP FI events at the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) including coverage of the day-long UNEP FI African Task Force conference.
* A summary report from the March 2002 UNEP FI Global Roundtable in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
* Coverage of UNEP FI climate change events in Bonn, Marrakech and New Delhi.
* A CD-ROM containing more than 200 presentations drawn from 12 UNEP FI meetings held during 2001-2002.
* The CD-ROM will also contain free copies of the following:
- The UNEP-World Bank-International Monetary Fund (IMF) report "Financing for Sustainable Development"
- The Finance and Insurance sector report for WSSD
- The UNEP FI October 2002 landmark report exploring the role of the financial sector in confronting climate change.

The full price of this report is US$500, but a discount of 30 per cent is available if ordering before the 31st January, 2003.

For more information please contact: