This update, according to ESG Investor, comprises a noteworthy addition of emissions made possible by capital market activity, a major advancement in bringing the banking industry into compliance with the most ambitious objectives of the Paris Agreement, and the most recent scientific discoveries. The UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Head, Eric Usher, emphasized the significance of this bank-led program in guaranteeing that NZBA members, present and future, will continue to establish goals that demonstrate the pressing need for action against global warming.

Following a vote by more than 50% of NZBA members, with two thirds of the votes supporting the revisions, this decision was made. Commencing on November 1, 2025, the new capital markets targets will demonstrate the members' dedication to a more all-encompassing strategy for reducing emissions. Having been established by UNEP FI in April 2021, the NZBA boasts 143 members and manages an impressive US$74 trillion in money, making it a crucial role in the worldwide shift towards net zero emissions.

Notwithstanding these developments, the banking industry still has difficulties cutting back on its financial support for the fossil fuel industry and other high-emitting sectors of the economy. According to recent research, since the 2015 Paris Agreement, banks have contributed US$3.2 trillion toward the growth of fossil fuels, with HSBC and Barclays making significant contributions. The necessity for a more equitable approach to climate finance is highlighted by the fact that this money has disproportionately benefited fossil fuel activities in the Global South.

Several frameworks and guidance materials have been produced to help banks align their financing activities with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Notably, the non-profit think tank 2° Investing Initiative (2DII) released a report on the similarities between NZBA principles and its Climate Impact Management System (CIMS), and the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) finalized its transition finance framework. These initiatives highlight the crucial role that the financial industry must play in reaching net-zero emissions as well as the continuous requirement for legislative and policy assistance to guarantee a fair transition.

Initiatives like GFANZ, 2DII, and NZBA will need to work together to make significant changes as the finance sector continues to struggle to match business models with climate goals. An important step forward in this path is represented by the NZBA's amended rules, which show the sector's growing commitment to sustainable finance and environmental stewardship.