ASEAN Taxonomy Board (ATB)
The ASEAN Taxonomy Board (ATB) was set up in 2021 under the auspices of the ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (AFMGM) and is jointly driven by the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF), the ASEAN Insurance Regulators Meeting (AIRM), the ASEAN Senior Level Committee on Financial Integration (SLC), and the ASEAN Working Committee on Capital Market Development (WC-CMD). ATB’s establishment is a response to the call at the 6th AFMGM to work towards:
“….furthering a cohesive sustainable finance agenda cutting across banking, capital
markets and insurance areas at the ASEAN Finance Ministers’ Meeting and AFMGM
respectively, with greater coordination amongst the relevant ASEAN working committees.”
The importance of a common taxonomy for ASEAN was identified in the ACMF’s Roadmap for ASEAN Sustainable Capital Markets, the SLC’s Report on The Roles of ASEAN Central Banks in Managing Climate and Environment-related Risks and the WC-CMD’s Report on Promoting Sustainable Finance in ASEAN.
The current Board comprises representatives from all 10 ASEAN Member States, as follows:
- Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (Chair)
- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Vice-Chair)
- Non-Bank Financial Services Authority (NBFSA) of Cambodia
- Insurance Regulator of Cambodia
- National Bank of Cambodia
- Financial Services Authority of Indonesia
- Bank of the Lao PDR
- Bank Negara Malaysia
- Securities Commission Malaysia
- Ministry of Finance and Revenue of Myanmar
- Securities and Exchange Commission Philippines
- Monetary Authority of Singapore
- Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand
- State Securities Commission of Viet Nam
The Sustainable Finance Institute Asia (SFIA) provides support as host of the ATB.
ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance (ASEAN Taxonomy)
The ASEAN Taxonomy serves as a principal reference point in ASEAN to guide capital and funding towards activities that can help promote the systemic transformation needed for the region.
The ASEAN Taxonomy is a collaborative initiative of the four ASEAN sectoral bodies that make up the ATB. This follows previous sustainable finance initiatives by the ASEAN sectoral bodies, such as the ASEAN Green, Social and Sustainability Bond Standards and the ASEAN Sustainable Banking Principles. The ASEAN Taxonomy represents the collective commitment of ASEAN Member States (AMS) in transitioning towards a sustainable region. It is designed to be an inclusive and science-based classification system for sustainable activities and will be one of the key building blocks in attracting investments and financial flows into sustainable projects in the region.
ASEAN Taxonomy Version 4
Update as of 6 November 2025: Version 4 of the ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance (ASEAN Taxonomy) completes the development of ASEAN’s regional reference framework for classifying sustainable economic activities. Version 4 provides comprehensive coverage for the Plus Standard’s six focus and three enabling sectors, in addition to the previously published Foundation Framework. This marks a major milestone in ASEAN’s sustainable finance journey, providing a comprehensive, science-based, and inclusive taxonomy that supports the region’s transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient future.
Click here to view/download the file
Click here to read/download the media statement on the launch of ASEAN Taxonomy Version 4
ASEAN Taxonomy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Update as of 6 November 2025: The ATB has developed a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document in response to stakeholder feedback to promote understanding and adoption of the ASEAN Taxonomy. This FAQ serves as a practical guide to address common queries, clarify the taxonomy’s purpose and application, and support its socialisation and uptake across the region. The FAQ is designed as a living resource, regularly updated to incorporate the latest developments, insights, and feedback from stakeholders.
Click here to view/download the file
ASEAN Taxonomy Supplementary Document: Foundation Framework Use Cases
Update as of 9 August 2024: The ASEAN Taxonomy Board (ATB) is pleased to announce the release of a Supplementary Document to the ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance (ASEAN Taxonomy). This important addition provides practical use cases for the Foundation Framework, specifically designed to assist small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Supplementary Document aims to guide SMEs in implementing the Foundation Framework by offering clear and actionable examples to assess activities in the agriculture and renewable energy sectors. The use cases provided are intended to serve as a guide and can be adjusted to fit the specific context of the user’s circumstances, where applicable.
This Supplementary Document is meant to be read in conjunction with the ASEAN Taxonomy main document.