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Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Anti-Financial Crime (AFC) Convergence

In this white paper, we explain how organizations can manage their AFC risk by applying ESG frameworks to stop illicit financial flows.

    Summary

    The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has gradually refocused on ESG issues, with recent published guidance on the illegal wildlife trade adding to existing published research on human trafficking, labor exploitation, illicit gold mining, and financial inclusion. Collectively, FATF’s research and guidance intersects with the development of ESG frameworks.

     
    Not surprisingly, both AFC and ESG programs aim to improve the quality of financial flows. Subsequently, as anti-financial crime professionals gaze into the horizon, ESG will become more prominent within financial institutions. In this white paper, we address the convergence of ESG and AFC, and explain how AFC programs can benefit from integrating with ESG frameworks.    
     

    Key Themes

    Reading this paper will help AFC professionals to understand how they can:

    • Help organizations build-out ESG functions
    • Link AFC processes to ESG frameworks
    • Share lessons learned from AFC deployments
    • Make a meaningful impact to save the planet

    Intended Audience

    This paper is intended for anyone working in financial crime prevention, including:

    • Legal counsel
    • Compliance personnel
    • Transaction monitoring specialists
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    Industry Sectors

    Industry sectors affected by the issues raised in this paper include:

    • Financial institutions, including FinTech and money services businesses (MSBs)
    • Gem and precious metal dealers
    • Law and accountancy firms
    • Timber and forestry companies
    • Mining and extractive companies
    • Logistics and transportation companies
    • Regulated entities