Sustainable finance taxonomy development
Enable sustainable investment with confidence through DNV’s expert support in developing science-based, credible, bespoke, and globally aligned taxonomy frameworks.
Sustainable finance taxonomy development
Challenges in sustainable finance taxonomy frameworks
As sustainable finance continues to scale, investors, regulators, and financial institutions face growing pressure to clearly define what qualifies as “sustainable.” Without consistent classification systems, greenwashing risks persist and capital misallocation remains a threat.
Regulatory frameworks such as the EU Taxonomy and other regional systems have set the tone - yet many markets still require localized or sector-specific taxonomies to support effective sustainable finance strategies.
How our sustainable finance taxonomy services support you
DNV provides expert advisory services to support the design, development, and implementation of credible sustainable finance taxonomies. Whether developing a national-level taxonomy, refining internal classification systems, or aligning with existing frameworks such as the EU or ASEAN taxonomies, we help institutions create technically sound, science-based systems that enable transparency, comparability, and investment integrity.
Our service includes stakeholder engagement, alignment with global environmental and social criteria, and the integration of sector-specific thresholds, metrics, and screening criteria, including:
- Tailored framework design: DNV helps develop inclusive, science-based taxonomies that balance environmental integrity with realistic transition pathways, tailored to national and regional contexts.
- Cross-sector technical expertise: Our specialists bring deep domain knowledge across key sectors including energy, transport, construction and real estate, agriculture, and waste – ensuring credible and consistent classification systems.
- Collaborative stakeholder engagement: We work closely with regulators, financial institutions, and industry leaders to ensure taxonomies are both practical to implement and broadly accepted across the market.
- Alignment with global standards: Taxonomy frameworks are designed to align with international sustainability standards while addressing country-specific goals, enabling interoperability and regulatory coherence.
- Clear, investor-ready deliverables: We produce accessible taxonomy documentation that empowers users – regulators, issuers, and investors alike – to make informed and confident sustainable finance decisions.
Trusted experts in sustainable finance
DNV combines technical depth, regulatory insight, and global experience to help you build sustainable finance taxonomies that are both credible and usable. With decades of cross-sector ESG experience and a strong track record in sustainable finance, we understand how to bridge science, policy, and practice.
Our work spans regions and stakeholder groups - from financial regulators to institutional investors - helping build taxonomies that accelerate responsible capital flows.
Benefits of our sustainable finance taxonomy services
- A clear and consistent classification of sustainable activities.
- Enhanced trust in sustainable finance markets.
- Improved alignment with net-zero and sustainability goals.
- Reduced risk of greenwashing or mislabelling.
- Increased transparency and stakeholder confidence.
- Stronger foundation for sustainability reporting and investment decision-making.
Customer success stories
Discover how leading issuers and financial institutions partner with DNV to create credible, market-trusted green financing frameworks.
DNV supports Danske Bank’s broadened strategy for financing the green transition
Danske Bank, with DNV’s support, has launched its new approach for financing the transition, designed to drive credible, large-scale decarbonization across its most pertinent hard-to-abate sectors.
DNV's role in advancing green finance through Thailand’s Provincial Electricity Authority’s (PEA) inaugural sustainability bond
DNV delivered external assurance for PEA's first sustainability bond, supporting Thailand's efforts toward carbon neutrality and green finance innovation.
