Introduced jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), the United Nations Global Compact and an international group of investors, the Principles for Responsible Investment are six voluntary principles of good conduct aiming to promote the integration of social, environmental and governance factors in financial practices.
The signatory companies are required to communicate on the implementation of such Principles on an annual basis. The Reporting and Assessment Manual assists organizations in this task. 

Developed in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), the GRI Financial Services Sector Supplement includes the GRI Guidelines and additional information explaining the issues and indicators which are specific to that type of activity. Four types of activities are addressed: retail banking, commercial and corporate banking, asset management and insurance.

The Equator Principles is "a benchmark for the financial industry to manage social and environmental issues in project financing". They are designed for financial institutions seeking to ensure socially responsible use of their financing. The signature of the nine Principles involves determining social and environmental impacts and risks of projects in their area of influence.
The Principles were drawn up in 2003 and revised in 2006 to include progress made in best practices. From now on, investment projects of over $10 million must now be reviewed.

Supported by the Association of British Insurers and the British Bankers' Association, the draft FORGE guidelines aim to further the financial sector's understanding of CSR.  The document explains:
-  The reasons why it is useful to consider CSR in terms of risks and opportunities,
-  The main issues to take into account when taking CSR action,
-  Some examples of practical advice on CSR management and the reporting process.

This report, published in partnership with the Association for Environmental Management in Banks, Savings Banks and Insurance Companies (Verein für Umweltmanagement in Banken, Sparkassen und Versicherungen e.V) and updated in 2005, presents a set of indicators used in measuring the internal environmental performance of financial institutions. The new developments take recent contributions of GRI and UNEP FI into consideration.

Taking note that sustainability reporting and management is still limited in financial institutions and especially those in developing countries, UNEP FI sought to identify the barriers in implementing them. The report sets out possible solutions for CEOs and board members in the form of case studies.