New global framework launched to help financial firms make transition plans

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has published a new framework aimed at helping financial institutions make credible plans to work towards the net zero transition.

The new voluntary standard for sustainable finance – ISO 32212 – includes guidelines for strategic transition planning by banking, insurance and investment institutions.

“The requirements and recommendations are designed to enable financial institutions to develop and maintain transition planning objectives and targets that advance the temperature and resilience goals of the Paris Agreement, and establish robust policies and processes to integrate these into their financial activities,” the ISO said.

ISO said the framework encourages institutions to assess climate-related impacts and dependencies associated with their activities, and to develop objectives and targets to better manage risks and opportunities. It includes guidelines on monitoring and reporting internally and externally, and on establishing guardrails and controls to ensure transition planning is credible.

A new report shows that the world’s biggest banks increased their funding to fossil fuel companies by 8% in 2025, although some, particularly in Europe, are cutting financing due to climate risk concerns and regulation.

The UK’s national standards agency, the BSI, welcomed the new ISO framework, noting that it had input from a broad coalition including representatives of finance sector organisations and experts from national standards bodies from around the world. 

“The framework will help institutions move from ambition to implementation through transparent and credible transition planning. We encourage financial institutions worldwide to pick up the standard, benefit their businesses and support the global adoption of credible transition planning,” said Scott Steedman, BSI director general of standards.

The BSI said research shows that 91% of UK businesses want help to accelerate their transition, with a focus on financial incentives and practical, skills-based guidance.

Sara Hall, co-executive director at advocacy group Positive Money, welcomed the new standards but said regulation had to be made binding, especially given the departure of many US banks from voluntary initiatives like the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) since Donald Trump became US President.

“Private financial institutions are not changing their behaviour at the scale or speed necessary to meet global climate targets,” Hall said. 

“Any measures short of mandatory simply won’t cut it. That’s why binding regulation and supervisory standards enforced by central banks and financial regulators at the national level, with penalisation for transgression, are vital to drive transition”.

The European Union has removed the obligation for companies to adopt a climate transition plan under revisions to the corporate sustainability due diligence directive (CSDDD). However, companies still need to submit a transition plan under the corporate sustainability reporting directive (CSRD).

Only 41% of EU banks had published their transition plans in 2024, despite being required to do so, while very few have a Paris-aligned pathway, according to a report from Finance Watch.

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Emma Thomasson is a British journalist, consultant and trainer based in Berlin. She is an expert in economics, politics, business and technology. She previously worked for Reuters as a correspondent and bureau chief in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, South Africa and the UK.