What is Sustainable Finance?: 3 Steps to Access Cheaper, Long-term Finance and Create Impact

In this episode, Becky is joined by Vijay Bains, Group Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of ESG at Emirates NBD. With a career spanning climate science research, consulting, and corporate leadership, Vijay is leading the charge to embed sustainability at the heart of one of the Middle East’s largest banks, pushing the boundaries of what it means for financial institutions to take responsibility in shaping a more sustainable future.

They explore why sustainable finance is not just a technical exercise, but a real opportunity for cheaper, longer-term capital and strategic partnerships, how embedding sustainability into governance, risk management, and remuneration can transform organisational behaviour and what it looks like to pioneer initiatives like reversing the gender pay gap, operational emissions reductions, and climate finance disclosures.