1. Introduction to ESG in Banking (1 h)

• Overview of ESG evolution in the banking sector and why ESG matters today. 
• Key EU ESG initiatives and their relevance to banks. 
• Supervisory focus areas: the shift from general expectations to practical ESG risk integration. 
• Emerging EBA priorities and their implications for banks’ strategic planning. 
• Short example: how EU banks are embedding ESG into their business models. 

2. Supervisory & Regulatory Landscape: EBA Driven Developments (1 h & 15 min)

• Overview of recent EBA publications on ESG risk management and expectations on transition planning: purpose, components, and link to business strategy. 
• Latest EBA Guidelines on environmental scenario analysis 
• Integration of ESG factors into supervisory reviews (SREP) and implications for institutions. 
• Short case example: Example transition plan assessment from a European institution and lessons learned. 

3. ESG Risk Integration in Practice (1 h & 30 min)

• Identification of ESG risks (physical, transition, social, governance) and how they influence traditional financial risks. 
• Practical ESG integration into credit risk, including client assessment and sectoral considerations. 
• Introduction to ESG scenario analysis and its role in risk management frameworks. 
• EBA environmental scenario analysis: climate focus, proportionality, and use in risk management. 
• How lending criteria may be adjusted in response to ESG risk signals.

4. Strategy, Governance & Transition Plans (1 h)

• The role of the Board and senior management in ESG governance. 
• Designing governance structures that support ESG strategy and transition planning. 
• How EBA’s transition plan expectations inform business strategy, target setting, and risk appetite. 
• Culture and change management: embedding sustainability across the institution. 

5. ESG Data, Reporting & Disclosure Requirements (1 h)

• Overview of key reporting requirements (CSRD, Pillar 3 ESG disclosures) and their relevance for banks. 
• Understanding ESG data categories: qualitative vs. quantitative, clients vs. internal operations. 
• Common data gaps and how banks can improve data completeness, accuracy and governance. 

6.  Clients, ESG Products & Market Expectations  (1 h)

• ESG-linked loans: definition, structure, risks, and safeguards (including an explanation of technical terminology). 
• Sustainable finance instruments, including green bonds and thematic products. 
• How banks can support clients in developing credible transition pathways. 
• Market trends: investor expectations, client demands and reputational considerations. 

Our services include:

• Handouts, including the hard copy presentation, examples, case studies, exercises, and additional notes, if applicable.
• Stationery, such as pads, pens, and files.
• Drinks (coffee, tea, etc.) and a buffet lunch.
• A fully equipped training room with WiFi access.
• Certificate of completion.

Trainers

Eva Solomontos
Senior Manager, Risk Consulting, KPMG in Cyprus

Eva is a Senior Manager in the Risk Consulting Department of KPMG in Cyprus and has over ten years of advisory experience in the financial services sector. She is currently managing the central KPMG ESG team in Cyprus which provides business development and client support for businesses in the banking area, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, shipping and retail. It also enhances KPMG’s ESG-related knowledge capabilities through extended research and resources from the wider KPMG network. Aside from managing the central KPMG ESG team, Eva is responsible for supporting banking clients in implementing regulatory expectations with regards to ESG, and in particular risk management related expectations, such as climate stress testing, materiality assessments, governance and risk appetite. She has also been involved in ESG strategy development projects of banking and pharmaceutical clients. 

In the past, she has worked on a wide range of projects including policy development, project management services in large scale projects, regulatory advice and payments services. Prior to joining KPMG in Cyprus, Eva was a member of the FRM (Regulatory) Department of KPMG UK for four years. Her experience includes, amongst others, providing support regarding the development of a business case for a single model for wholesale cash distribution in the UK and the establishment of a New Payments architecture for the UK’s leading retail payments authority.

Eva holds a bachelor’s degree in Law from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and a master’s in science in Security Studies from the University College London (UCL). She is currently a candidate for the ESG Expert Certification from the EBS Executive School (as part of EBS Universität).

Mikaella Raspa
Assistant Manager, Management Consulting, ESG Advisory, KPMG in Cyprus

Mikaella Raspa is an Assistant Manager in the Management Consulting Department of KPMG in Cyprus, specialising in ESG and sustainability advisory. She has extensive experience supporting large organisations across sectors—including financial services, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, shipping, and retail—in the design and delivery of ESG strategies, materiality assessments, and climate and environmental (C&E) risk assessments. Mikaella has managed client engagements in sustainability reporting and regulatory alignment, including EU Taxonomy and Pillar III disclosures. She has also supported financial institutions in addressing ESG regulatory expectations (e.g. EBA guidelines) and has delivered targeted training to senior executives on the evolving European sustainability landscape, including the EU Green Deal, Fit for 55, CSRD, and ESG reporting frameworks such as GRI and ESRS.

Prior to joining KPMG, Mikaella worked as an architect engineer within architectural firms, where she was involved in the design and delivery of mixed-use and residential developments, including the preparation of architectural, planning, tender, and construction drawings across all project stages. She further specialised insustainability as part of a major Integrated Casino Resort development in Cyprus, where she acted as Sustainability Coordinator, leading the post-constructionBREEAM certification process. Her role included implementing Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and ISO 14001 processes, monitoring environmentalperformance (energy, carbon, water), conducting environmental and climate risk assessments, and contributing to sustainability strategies targeting zero waste andcarbon-neutral operations.

Earlier in her career, Mikaella served as a Technical Engineer at the Town Planning and Housing Department of the Ministry of Interior, where she was responsiblefor assessing planning applications for large-scale developments and ensuring compliance with planning and environmental legislation. This role strengthened her technical expertise in development planning, regulatory frameworks, and the integration of sustainability considerations into the design and approval of complexprojects.

Mikaella holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Architecture Engineering from the University of Cyprus, as well as a Master’s degree in Health, Wellbeing and Sustainable Buildings from University College London (UCL). She is a registered member of ETEK