Volume VI Special Issue IV April 2026

Name of Author : Dr. Jincy Johny

Title of the paper : Green Banking as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development: A Study of Banking Sector Initiatives in India

Abstract: Green banking has emerged as a strategic approach to integrating environmental sustainability into the core functions of financial institutions. This study examines the key green banking practices adopted by banks in India and analyses their contribution toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs. Green banking encompasses initiatives such as paperless banking, green loans for renewable energy projects, financing for solar, wind, and electric vehicle infrastructure, environmental risk assessment in lending, green bond issuance, and carbon footprint disclosure. These practices aim to reduce the ecological footprint of banking operations while directing financial resources toward environmentally responsible sectors. The study highlights how sustainable lending and climate risk integration enable banks to mobilise capital for clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and low carbon technologies. It further explores the role of regulatory frameworks established by the Reserve Bank of India and sustainability disclosure norms mandated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India in strengthening green finance initiatives. By aligning financial flows with environmental priorities, green banking significantly supports SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 13 Climate Action. The findings suggest that green banking not only enhances environmental performance but also improves risk management, transparency, and long term financial resilience. Although challenges such as standardisation and impact measurement persist, green banking represents a transformative pathway toward sustainable and inclusive economic development.

Keywords : Green Banking, Sustainable Finance, Renewable Energy Financing, Environmental Risk Assessment, Green Bonds, Carbon Footprint Disclosure, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Climate Risk Management, Sustainable Economic Development.

DOI :

Page Number : 56-61