The principles put forward by the IBF, and which have been accepted by over 30 of Ireland leading domestic and financial institutions, are to help promote to promote environmental sustainability and mitigate climate change and are intended to "provide a broad, common framework within which each Bank will seek – in accordance with its own commercial and other considerations - to operate in support of climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability."

The following areas of activity have been identified for investment in and financial structuring of viable projects:

  • Energy Financing - energy efficiency, clean energy technology and the carbon market;
  • Waste Management;
  • Customer Services - development of appropriate products/services that help or encourage customers in the area of sustainability; and
  • Operations Management - management of own in-house policies and practices in support of environmental sustainability.