MADISON, WI —The World Council of Credit Unions has released a new global climate policy statement, Advancing Climate Resilience and Sustainability Through Cooperative Finance, in which it says it recognizes climate change presents both a significant financial risk and a strategic opportunity for credit unions and savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs) worldwide.
“As climate-related regulation evolves globally, credit unions must prepare for new risk management expectations while identifying opportunities to strengthen resilience and expand sustainable finance,” WOCCU said.
WOCCU said the statement outlines its commitment to supporting its members as they navigate an evolving regulatory landscape, strengthen climate resilience and expand access to sustainable financial solutions in their communities.
‘A Material Consideration’
“Climate risk is becoming an increasingly material consideration for financial institutions globally,” Paul Andrews, WOCCU VP-international advocacy, said in a statement. “For credit unions, this creates both risk management challenges and strategic opportunities to support resilient, sustainable communities while continuing to advance financial inclusion.”
According to WOCCU, the policy statement recognizes that climate-related risks—including extreme weather events, shifting environmental conditions and the transition to a low-carbon economy, can directly impact financial stability through loan portfolios, collateral values and operational continuity.
The Commitment
Through the statement, WOCCU said it is committing to:
- Advocating for proportional, risk-based regulatory frameworks that support credit unions’ cooperative model
- Providing guidance, training and resources to help institutions assess and manage climate-related risks
- Facilitating knowledge-sharing across the global credit union system
- Elevating the role of credit unions as leaders in sustainable and inclusive finance
WOCCU added the statement also emphasizes the critical role credit unions already play in advancing climate solutions at the local level—from financing energy-efficient housing and renewable energy projects to supporting disaster recovery and climate-resilient small businesses.
Building Resilience
“Credit unions have always been about people helping people,” WOCCU President and CEO, Paul Treinen said in a statement. “That mission extends naturally to helping communities build resilience in the face of climate change, ensuring that the transition to a sustainable economy is inclusive, practical and grounded in local needs.”
The statement can be found here.
Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Honors 2026 ICUDE Graduates
Meanwhile, the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WFCU) said it has welcomed 15 new professionals to the global credit union community as graduates of the International Credit Union Development Educators (ICUDEs) Class of 2026.
This designation recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to cooperative values, international engagement and the advancement of financial inclusion worldwide, the foundation said.
“The ICUDE Class of 2026 represents the very best of what our global DE community has to offer,” Kassandra Schroeder, director of WYCUP and Global DE Programs at WFCU, said in a statement. “These individuals have gone above and beyond to grow as leaders, engage across borders and give back to their communities. We are proud to welcome them into this distinguished network.”
The Grads
The 2026 ICUDE graduates include:
Africa
- Allan Tom Kitanda, Wazalendo SACCO, Uganda
- Cyprian Kankyie Ahmed Basing, Ghana Cooperative Credit Unions Association (CUA) Ltd, Ghana
- Mercy Tumukunde Gava, SteadFin Uganda SACCO Ltd, Uganda
- Simon Kiprotich Tanui, Kenya National Police DT SACCO, Kenya.
Caribbean
- Bornette Donaldson, Community & Workers of Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union Ltd, Jamaica
- Fayola Jones, U.W.I. Credit Union Co-operative Society Limited, Trinidad & Tobago
- Keehon Roy Moore, Cayman Islands Civil Service Association Co-operative Credit Union, Cayman Islands
- Matonia Munroe, Grenada Authority for the Regulation of Financial Institutions (GARFIN), Grenada
- Shona Smartt, Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union Ltd, Guyana
- Tessa Bartlette, St Lucia Teachers’ Credit Co-operative Ltd, Saint Lucia.
Europe
- Stephen Morley, No1 CopperPot Credit Union, United Kingdom.
United States
- Cathy Statz, International Centre for Co-operative Management, Saint Mary’s University
- Debbie Smith, Georgia United Credit Union Foundation
- Hazelmae Overturf, Harborstone Credit Union.
- Ning Duong, Financial Center First Credit Union.
To earn the ICUDE designation, each graduate must complete a national or regional Development Education (DE) program and demonstrate meaningful international engagement that strengthens the cooperative movement worldwide.
Recognition at the World Credit Union Conference
The ICUDE Class of 2026 will be formally recognized at the Global DE Social, hosted during the World Credit Union Conference (WCUC) in Sydney, Australia, July 19-22, 2026.
