Green Banking: a road map for adoption

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to propose Green Banking best practices for the adoption of this business construct based on the dimensions of environment, social and governance (ESG). This paper proposes a number of green practices under the ESG dimensions that can be adopted by individual banks at any stage of Green Banking adoption. It provides tactics for implementing this business construct that can serve as a tool for regulatory authorities forming Green Banking guidelines or policies for adoption. Such research has not been undertaken up until now.Design/methodology/approachThe Green Banking adoption model is based on the concept of human ecology in which the inter-dependency and inter-connectivity of the variables impacting the phenomenon of environmental sustainability. These influencing variables are, in turn, connected with the natural environment. In the proposed model, the variables of ESG are inter-connected and impacting the natural environment as well. The proposed best practices have been derived from the Green Banking practices of the global industry leaders and Green Banking regulations of developed and developing countries. It can be beneficial to the stakeholders, as it proposes a step-by-step guide to Green Banking adoption that can be followed either sequentially or in parallel by the banks.FindingsGreen Banking adoption can be achieved by banks through implementing certain practices in either sequential or parallel manner. The adoption process depends on the various external and internal environmental dependencies. The Green Banking adoption practices can be broken down in three areas, i.e. ESG, allowing the construct optimal depth of coverage and complexity.Originality/valueThe literature on Green Banking is steadily increasing but a lack of research exists in the area of Green Banking adoption. Currently, limited literature exists that can provide the banking industry or the regulatory authorities with a framework or guideline to adopt Green Banking.