Integrity pitfalls in sustainable finance
Sustainable finance is ‘booming’ – but doing the right thing often turns out to be more complex than it seems. Shifting norms, high expectations and vague definitions are creating tensions – and touch the heart of integrity issues. Dialogue with the sector reveals clear pitfalls where good intentions may clash with what is feasible, expected or desired.
In collaboration with The Can Do Company, DSI is exploring the role of integrity in sustainable finance throughout 2025. How can the financial sector approach sustainability with integrity? And what dilemmas are involved? In-depth interviews with professionals and experts on this theme revealed sharp insights and recurring pitfalls – which we share below.
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Greenwashing – the misleading presentation of products or strategies as ‘green’ – is one of the biggest risks in sustainable finance. In 2024, DSI and EY published a whitepaper outlining eight concrete calls to action to address greenwashing in the financial sector.
With this whitepaper, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the debate on credible sustainability in finance. Together with our partners, DSI has organised follow-up activities to keep the conversation going.
Explore our initiatives on greenwashing
At DSI, ten core principles lie at the heart of our Code of Conduct. They provide financial professionals with guidance to act with integrity every day and strengthen trust in the sector. Every DSI-certified professional commits to these principles. Together, we build a transparent and trustworthy financial sector.
These core principles also serve as a compass in the dialogue on sustainable finance. They help make ethical dilemmas discussable and assess choices against shared norms and values. Discover how the ten core principles can empower your work and guide the conversation on sustainable finance.
Discover our 10 core principles
In the coming period, DSI will organise various activities to deepen the theme. Think of meetings, webinars, and setting up a database of good and bad practices. These offer professionals, managers and policymakers concrete tools to confidently engage in conversations about sustainability and integrity—both internally and externally.
Are you interested in our initiatives on sustainable finance and integrity? Or do you want to actively contribute by joining events or sharing your experience? Let us know.
Sign up as an interested party via our contact page, and we’ll keep you updated on new publications, events, and case studies. Together, we advance the conversation on sustainability and ethical conduct in finance.