WOCCU Climate Finance Study Takes Center Stage at United in Sustainability Summit

8th Annual UIS Summit hosted in Montreal by United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU)

MADISON, Wis.— World Council of Credit Unions yesterday presented the results of a just-released study identifying success factors for credit unions in climate finance, capacity building, funding and regulatory frameworks at the 8^th Annual United in Sustainability (UIS) Summit for the credit union industry in Montréal, Canada.

Hosted by United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU), the summit provides a platform for credit unions, their leagues and associations and partners globally to share best practices, actionable ideas and new resources on sustainability.

This year’s theme is local impact on a global scale, with learnings for organizations just starting or advancing their journeys. 

Angelina Tracy, WOCCU Vice President of Strategic Growth and Global Programs, gave a presentation that drew from our recently published study, “Unlocking Global Climate Capital through Credit Unions”, made possible by Climate Finance Fund.

This study draws on three complementary data sources:

• WOCCU’s 2024 Statistical Report, which covered 76 countries in the global south.

• a survey of 186 credit unions across 40 countries.

• semi-structured interviews in seven countries offering deeper qualitative insight.

Together, these sources offer an indicative picture of how credit unions in the global south are positioned for climate and inclusive finance.

“Credit unions across emerging markets demonstrate substantial reach and readiness to channel inclusive, climate-related finance. Nearly all report outreach to vulnerable groups—especially women and youth—who frequently make up the majority of their members and borrowers,” said Tracy. “About half of total lending is directed to low-income households, informal enterprises and smallholder farmers, reinforced by education and community programs that promote inclusion and climate awareness.”

Such climate finance activity is still emerging but steadily expanding, with products linked to renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and green housing. For many of the surveyed credit unions, climate action is viewed as an extension of their founding mission to strengthen member well-being and community resilience, rather than as a compliance or donor-driven goal.

With targeted support for capacity building, blended finance, and standardized reporting frameworks, credit unions are well positioned to serve as trusted, community-based intermediaries—linking global climate capital with the local resilience and inclusion it aims to achieve.

Tracy presented the findings of WOCCU’s climate finance study as part of an international panel on the ways partnerships accelerate impact, the role of community-led innovation and the global replicability of sustainable solutions.

Others joining the panel were:

• Tracy Fortino, Director of Sustainability & ESG, First West Credit Union, Vancouver, Canada.

• Pat Morrissey, Chief Marketing Officer, Synergy Credit Union, Cork County, Ireland.

You can read WOCCU’s Climate Finance Study in its entirety by clicking here.

World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is the apex association for credit unions and other global financial cooperatives. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 74,634 credit unions in 104 countries serve 411 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.