NCIF annually collects information from partner banks to capture community impact. In 2014 we will add 12 datapoints on banks’ environmental impacts through "green lending" and through their own operational practices.
What is "Green Lending"?
Loans will be considered toward a bank's Environmental Impacts if a.) the borrower is an organization or business with a primary mission of environmental sustainability, or b.) the intended use of funds is to promote environmental sustainability. Examples include financing alternative energy generation; construction or renovations that include green features; an environmentally sustainable small business; organizations whose primary focus is conservation, sustainability, or environmental education.
New Environmental Impacts datapoints capturing lending activity:
- Number of green loans
- Dollar amount of green loans
- Internal priorities to identify green lending opportunities
- Outcomes and impacts of green lending
New Environmental Impacts datapoints capturing operational activity:
- Banks' energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
- Green or locally sourced procurement processes
- LEED or other green building certifications
Bank-reported data is published in BankImpact Dashboards about each institution, and is aggregated to show investors, policymakers, and regulators the total impact of the reporting banks.