Finance for the Future– the Effectiveness of Voluntary Net-Zero Alliances for Financial Institution

Abstract: Scaling up climate finance is vital for avoiding the worst impacts of climate change and limiting global warming. In this light, multiple Voluntary Net-Zero Alliances for Financial Institutions (VNZAFIs) have been founded, directing capital flows from financial institutions towards climate action. Nonetheless, the contributions of VNZAFIs to the Paris Climate Goals can be put into question. This study determines the effectiveness of VNZAFIs in aligning the climate action plans of their members with the Paris Climate Goals. Through the development and application of a scoring framework, the climate alignment of the current action plans of financial institutions that are allied to the Dutch VNZAFI Klimaatcommitment Financiële Sector will be determined. The main finding of this case study is that currently, the climate action plans of financial institutions are not climate-aligned, contesting the effectiveness of VNZAFIs.