On 06 June 2025, the Sustainable Finance Education Charter (SFEC) published its fourth Annual Progress Report, highlighting the work of ICAEW and the Charter’s 12 other predominantly UK-based, global professional bodies throughout 2024. These efforts mark continued progress towards delivering on the Charter’s 10 commitments established in 2020. These commitments aim to build the capacity and capability of finance professionals needed to embed green and sustainable finance principles into the banking, finance, and professional services sectors.
The SFEC is a parntership between the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the UK’s Green Finance Institute and 13 leading, global professional bodies – representing the accounting, actuarial science, audit, banking, insurance, investment, risk management and treasury sectors - with more than 1 million members collectively. The SFEC serves as a forum for the bodies to drive sustainability action within the finance profession, and together aims to ensure that “every professional financial decision takes account of climate change and sustainability”.
Key highlights from 2024
The 2024 Progress Report arrives at a time of increasing global interest in the important role of capacity building. This interest is driven by the need to mobilise the sustainable finance necessary to achieve global sustainability goals. Among the Charter’s key achievements this year:
- Over 122,000 finance and supporting professionals attended in-person and online events organised by Charter members.
- The Charter joined the Global Capacity Building Coalition (GCBC) to strengthen global climate capacity building.
- Eight new certificates launched, and eleven existing ones updated to support green and sustainable finance.
“The 2024 Progress Report is a clear signal of the finance profession’s growing commitment to sustainability. At a time when climate and environmental challenges demand urgent and informed responses, we are proud of the strides made in embedding sustainable finance across the sector. As Chair of the SFEC, I’ve seen first-hand how collaboration among professional bodies is driving real change—equipping professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to support a just transition. We must continue this momentum, ensuring sustainability is not a side topic, but a core competence in every financial decision.”
Richard Spencer, Chair of the Sustainable Finance Education Charter (SFEC) and Director of Sustainability at ICAEW.
The role of finance professionals and professional bodies
Finance professionals play a pivotal role in shaping how capital is allocated, risks are assessed, and investment decisions are made. Strengthening their capacity and capability to embed green and sustainable finance into financial decision-making ensures that they can make informed decisions that consider long-term environmental and social impacts; financial strategies align with global net-zero and sustainability targets; climate-related risks are properly managed to support market stability; investment is directed towards sustainable and low-carbon solutions; and the profession maintains public trust by acting responsibly in the face of global challenges.
Professional bodies are central to this effort. They help define the standards, values, and competencies that shape the finance sector. By embedding sustainability into qualifications, CPD, codes of conduct, and thought leadership, we play a vital role in building the capacity and capability of finance professionals to meet the challenges and opportunities of the net zero transition.
Looking ahead
The importance of building capacity and capability in sustainable finance will only continue to grow. SFEC members remain committed to supporting professionals both in the UK and internationally as they respond to the demands of climate change and global sustainability targets. The work of the Charter is essential in ensuring that the finance profession is not only ready for the future, but helping to shape it.