Verein für Umweltmanagement und Nachhaltigkeit in Finanzinstituten (VfU) e.V.

The Verein für Umweltmanagement und Nachhaltigkeit in Finanzinstituten e.V. (VfU) is a network of Sustainable Finance Professionals that has existed since 1995, consisting of over 60 financial companies, including banks, insurance companies, asset management companies, and relevant associations.

The central concern of the VfU is the promotion and dissemination of "Sustainable Finance," defined in accordance with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) as a comprehensive approach to managing the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of financial business. The goal is to enable substantial progress towards sustainable development[3].

• Information and Networking: The VfU provides a platform for professional opinion and information exchange. Through various channels, such as the website, social media, and the monthly newsletter "Sustainable Finance Kompakt," members are informed early about new developments in the field of Sustainable Finance[4].
• Peer-to-Peer Learning: In formats specifically differentiated by business segments or fields of action, such as workshops, working groups, and ad-hoc task forces, the VfU enables the exchange of best practices and the deepening of know-how[4].
• Qualification and Further Education: Practical training, workshops, webinars, and specialist conferences support the targeted qualification and further education of practitioners in the field of Sustainable Finance[4].
• Methods and Tools: The VfU develops innovative approaches and tools for practice together with its members and a scientific advisory board. Examples include the VfU Key Figures Tool, the Sustainable Finance Management Tool, and the Sustainable Finance Toolbox[3].

• Fields of Action: The VfU distinguishes 12 fields of action for Sustainable Finance, including strategy and governance, corporate governance, sustainability management, compliance and regulation, risk management, impact management, data management, products and core business, transparency and disclosure, sales and customer service, personnel and training, as well as sustainable business operations[3].
• Research Projects: The VfU is involved in various research projects, such as the CREATE project, which deals with the decarbonization of the building sector and the financing of the heat transition[5].
• Transition Planning: The VfU supports financial institutions in creating and implementing transition plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Important questions regarding transition planning and reporting are discussed in roundtables and workshops[5].

• Events: The VfU regularly offers events such as roundtables, workshops, and webinars to acquire, exchange, and deepen knowledge and know-how in the field of Sustainable Finance. These events serve as a platform for exchange between financial service providers, scientists, and other stakeholders[3].
• Network: The VfU's network includes broad connections in the financial sector as well as in academia, civil society organizations, and politics. This enables timely information exchange and the joint development of solutions for sustainable finance[4].

Thus, the VfU is a central platform for promoting sustainable financial practices and supporting financial institutions in integrating sustainability into their business models. Through its comprehensive activities and initiatives, the VfU makes an important contribution to shaping a more sustainable financial system.

• 1 - https://www.gabler-banklexikon.de/definition/verein-fuer-umweltmanagement-und-nachhaltigkeit-finanzinstituten-ev-70772
• 2 - https://vfu.de/ueber-den-vfu/
• 3 - https://vfu.de
• 4 - https://gsfc-germany.com/vfu/
• 5 - https://goodjobs.eu/company/vfu-e-v-verein-fuer-umweltmanagement-und-nachhaltigkeit-in-finanzinstituten