IEPSL in collaboration with the Banking, Finance and Insurance Institute of Nepal (BFIN), successfully conducted a five-day Climate Finance Training Program from 18–22 March at GAPHQ, Colombo. The programme aimed to strengthen regional cooperation between Sri Lanka and Nepal while enhancing the capacity of banking professionals and institutional representatives in sustainable finance and climate-resilient banking.
The training covered key topics including Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) integration, Environmental and Social Risk Management (ESRM), green financing, sustainable lending, and climate finance mechanisms. A major highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IEPSL and BFIN to foster collaboration in professional training, environmental governance, and sustainable finance initiatives in both countries.
The inaugural session was attended by distinguished guests, including Mr. Vijay Kumar Raut, Deputy Chief of Mission and Counsellor of Nepal, and Mr. Kapila Mahesh Rajapaksha, Director General of Sri Lanka’s Central Environmental Authority. The speakers underscored the growing importance of integrating climate considerations into banking operations, investment decisions, lending practices, and long-term financial sustainability.
The programme adopted a practical, interactive approach through case studies, simulations, field visits, group exercises, and micro-teaching sessions, providing participants with hands-on experience in climate finance and ESG implementation. Covering climate finance fundamentals, Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS), social safeguards, green product development, climate risk integration, and ESG-based credit assessment, the programme concluded with confidence that it would strengthen professional networks, promote knowledge exchange, and support the transition to resilient and sustainable financial systems across South Asia.
