Case study: How Degroof Petercam works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices
Established in 1871, Degroof Petercam is a leading, privately-owned investment firm with Belgian roots, boasting over 150 years of comprehensive financial expertise. Serving clients across more than 20 countries, Degroof Petercam provides a unique range of services spanning private banking, asset management, investment banking (including corporate finance and global markets), and asset services, deviating from the traditional banking model. With a total balance sheet of €8.1 billion and client assets totaling €74.3 billion, Degroof Petercam has established itself as a prominent player in the financial industry. Degroof Petercam is a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) and is, accordingly, working with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities. Tweet This!
This case study is based on the 2023 PRB Reporting and Self-Assessment Template by Degroof Petercam, prepared in relation to its implementation of the PRB, that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.
Which Principles for Responsible Banking have been addressed?
The Principles for Responsible Banking addressed in this case are:
-
-
- Principle 3: Clients and Customers
- Principle 4: Stakeholders
-
Subscribe for free and read the rest of this case study
Please subscribe to the SustainCase Newsletter to keep up to date with the latest sustainability news and gain access to over 2000 case studies. These case studies demonstrate how companies are dealing responsibly with their most important impacts, building trust with their stakeholders (Identify > Measure > Manage > Change).
With this case study you will see:
-
-
- How Degroof Petercam proceeded with stakeholder identification and consultation, and
- How Degroof Petercam worked with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities
-
Already Subscribed? Type your email below and click submit
Stakeholder identification and consultation
Please describe which stakeholders (or groups/ types of stakeholders) you have identified, consulted, engaged, collaborated or partnered with for the purpose of implementing the Principles and improving your bank’s impacts. This should include a high-level overview of how your bank has identified relevant stakeholders, what issues were addressed/results achieved and how they fed into the action planning process.
In accordance with EU regulations, a comprehensive Double Materiality Analysis has been carried out, which was supported by an external consultant. For further information, please consult Degroof Petercam’s Non-Financial Report, page 96.
How did Degroof Petercam work with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities?
In its 2023 PRB Reporting and Self-Assessment Template Degroof Petercam reports that it works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities as follows:
- Degroof Petercam has invested significant resources in adapting its operations to align with and support the deployment of regulations related to the European Green Deal. A key aspect of this effort is capturing the sustainability preferences of both institutional and private clients.
- Degroof Petercam positions itself as a thought leader and trusted partner, so as to continue to inspire companies and entrepreneurs.
- As data, systems, client preferences, and market insights continue to develop, Degroof Petercam will incorporate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to its sustainable investments within the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) framework.
- Initial sustainability-related client reporting was shared with clients in the first half of 2024. Degroof Petercam is also exploring the development of a more comprehensive and easily accessible reporting system. For Degroof Petercam’s funds, sustainability reporting is already included in the standard documentation available on the company website.
UN Principles for Responsible Banking: Accelerating a positive global transition for people and the planet
With over 300 signatory banks representing almost half of the global banking industry, the Principles for Responsible Banking are the world’s foremost sustainable banking framework. Through these Principles, the banking community takes action to align core strategies, decision-making, lending and investment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement.
FBRH Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) Assurance:
First class PRB assurance services: The result of solid, hands-on ESG/ Sustainability experience
-
-
- FBRH is a GRI Certified Training Partner (Global), ISEP Training Centre and a member of CPD.
- FBRH builds trust. Over 200 reviews from top professionals from around the world demonstrate our ability to build strong, trusting business relationships.
- FBRH possesses a unique skill set that combines ESG/sustainability certified training, experience in advisory services and report preparation, and ESG/sustainability report assurance.
-
The combination of all the above empowers FBRH to provide first class Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) assurance services.
References:
This case study is based on published information by Degroof Petercam, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original please revert to the following link:
Note to Degroof Petercam: With each case study we send out an email requesting a comment on this case study. If you have not received such an email please contact us.