EPA's Role in International Finance

International finance and investment decisions can play an invaluable role in efforts to improve international environmental protection standards. Environmental policy actions by leading international financial institutions, multilateral development banks (MDBs), export credit agencies, and relevant non-governmental organizations can help shape the environmental protection guidelines that guide global financial markets.  

By working in this area, EPA seeks to support environmental safeguards and governance that more accurately account for the value of natural capital and environmental protection.

To support and strengthen this role, EPA works to shape environmental criteria for finance and investment decisions, foster investment in environmental infrastructure, and support rules that incorporate sound environmental stewardship in multilateral development banks and other international finance institutions.

Learn more about our work with:

Multilateral Development Banks

EPA is part of the inter-agency efforts led by the U.S. Department of Treasury to review environmental and social impacts of proposed MDB investments, to update the policies and safeguards that guide such investments, and in the design of new lending instruments.
 
The United States, represented by the Treasury Department, is a member of:
 

Learn more about the role that the U.S. Department of Treasury takes in leading U.S. engagement with the MDBs.

Multilateral Environmental Funds

Similar to its work on multilateral development bank projects and policies, EPA works with other U.S. Government agencies to review proposed projects of multilateral environmental funds (MEFs). MEFs are financial mechanisms used to promote strong environmental governance and increased environmental protection in developing and emerging economies. MEFs are important international forums for advancing U.S. policy.
 
EPA assists in developing policies for the use of resources in MEFs, such as the Global Environment Facility. 
 
 

International Organizations

EPA also works with a number of U.S. agencies on environment and finance-related issues that arise in various international forums, such as the OECD, the U.N., and others.
 
For example, EPA participates in the implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises,  including its chapter on the environment, through the U.S. National Contact Point. EPA engagement ensures that environmental considerations are taken into account.
 
 

Contacts

For additional information on EPA's International Trade and Finance efforts, contact:
Brianna Besch
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of International and Tribal Affairs (2660R)
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 564-6600
 

International Cooperation

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Last updated on March 13, 2025