Our actions have consequences for the environment and society ...
Thus, we have had our environmental management system certified in accordance with EMAS and continuously work to reduce our carbon footprint. We finance businesses and investments in South Eastern and Eastern Europe, applying defined environmental and social criteria (ESG).
Environmental management built on three pillars
-
Internal environmental management
We analyse our internal environmental impact, which we then improve – for example by taking measures to reduce water and electricity consumption.
-
Managing the environmental and social risk in lending
We strive to understand and reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with our lending activities. How do we do this? We identify and assess the environmental and social risks of the projects and businesses we finance and, where necessary, define measures to mitigate those risks.
-
Green lending
We promote green investments. We are particularly interested in energy efficiency and renewable energies. Together with our banks in the region, we help our clients finance their wind and photovoltaic projects.
But what good are the best efforts if they can’t be verified? This is why the ProCredit group has committed to measuring and disclosing the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from its loan portfolio in accordance with the standards of the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) link: Impact Report.
As part of the ProCredit group, we also benefit from the commitment of ProCredit Holding AG. It is a member of the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) of the United Nations and adheres to its Principles for Responsible Banking. Joining the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) for sustainable and responsible corporate governance emphasises our determination to strategically embed sustainability and contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
As part of the Business Ambition for 1.5° and the UNFCCC’s Race to Zero campaign, the ProCredit group has committed to defining its future near- and long-term emissions reductions using the Net-Zero Standard of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
In March 2024 ProCredit Holding AGs near-term emission reduction targets were officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.
As part of our efforts to assess climate risks and limit our impact on climate change, the ProCredit group is also committed to measuring and disclosing the greenhouse gas emissions arising from its lending and investment portfolio in accordance with the standards of the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF).
Sound complicated? It is, but we believe it’s worth the effort.
Another important topic for us: we see regulation as something positive. As a bank, we are committed to adhering to a responsible business model that ensures compliance with German and European rules and standards in international business. Our clients in Germany, but also and especially in South Eastern and Eastern Europe, can rely on this. This is the only way we can establish reliable structures for local banking in South Eastern and Eastern Europe – and create jobs as a group. “Impact banking” is by no means a buzzword for us, but instead our day-to-day business.