In this study, the concept of sustainable finance, sustainable finance elements, sustainable finance instruments and information on the development of sustainable finance in the world and in Turkey are presented to the readers. In the study, the emergence of the concept of sustainability and its applications in the finance world are mentioned. In this context, information is provided on green bonds, social bonds, sustainability bonds, green loans, blue bonds and green sukuk, which are increasingly important sustainable finance instruments in the world and Turkey. In addition, in the last part of the study, the international development of sustainable finance is presented chronologically in the following order: 1987 Brunthland Report, 1992 Rio Summit, 1997 Global Reporting Initiative Institute determining the principles and procedures of sustainable reporting, 1999 global Dow Jones Sustainability Index, 2002 Global Reporting Initiative Institute's first sustainability guide on sustainable reporting, 2008 global financial crisis, 2012 Rio+20 summit, 2015 Addis Ababa Action Plan, 2018 Sustainable Action Plan, 2021 Glasgow COP26 climate summit held between October 31 and November 2. It is noteworthy that especially at the Glosgow COP26 climate summit, the issue of financial institutions acting more sensitively to the climate crisis was put on the agenda for the first time. The development of sustainable finance in Turkey, again chronologically, is as follows: "Sustainable Financing Framework Plan" published by the Treasury in 2021, 'Sustainable Banking Strategic Plan' published by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency in the same year, 'Sustainable Working Group' established within the Banks Association of Turkey in 2022, establishment of a 'Green Asset Ratio Working Group' as a financial performance indicator by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency and the Banks Association of Turkey in 2022, publication of a green bond guide for Turkey in 2022 and publication of a 'Green Sukuk Study Report' in May 2022.