Commerzbank Archives - SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine Insights on how you can protect the environment, maintain and increase the value of your company, through a structured CSR/Sustainability process with the use of the GRI Standards. Learn how Today's Best-Run Companies are achieving Economic, Social, and Environmental Success - and How You Can Too... Mon, 15 Dec 2025 14:01:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Case study: How Commerzbank takes action on its PRB targets: climate protection (net zero targets), biodiversity and women in management positions https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-commerzbank-takes-action-on-its-prb-targets/ Thu, 13 Nov 2025 06:49:32 +0000 https://sustaincase.com/?p=21376 Commerzbank is the premier bank for small and medium-sized enterprises (the Mittelstand) and serves as a partner to approximately 25,500 corporate client groups, along with nearly 11 million private and small-business customers across Germany. The bank provides a wide-ranging suite of financial services through two main divisions: Private and Small-Business Customers, and Corporate Clients. This case study is based on the 2023 Non-Financial Report by Commerzbank, 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) […]

The post Case study: How Commerzbank takes action on its PRB targets: climate protection (net zero targets), biodiversity and women in management positions appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Commerzbank is the premier bank for small and medium-sized enterprises (the Mittelstand) and serves as a partner to approximately 25,500 corporate client groups, along with nearly 11 million private and small-business customers across Germany. The bank provides a wide-ranging suite of financial services through two main divisions: Private and Small-Business Customers, and Corporate Clients. Commerzbank is a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) and has, accordingly, set and published three targets which address three different areas of most significant impact Commerzbank identified in its impact analysis.  Tweet This!

This case study is based on the 2023 Non-Financial Report by Commerzbank, 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.

Layout 1

Which Principles for Responsible Banking have been addressed?

The Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) addressed in this case are:

Abstract 

Commerzbank has set targets for climate protection (net zero targets), biodiversity and women in management positions. In order to show that it has implemented the actions it defined to meet the set targets, Commerzbank took action on:

  • SMART Target 1: Climate protection (net zero targets)
  • SMART Target 2: Biodiversity
  • SMART Target 3: Women in management positions

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.

Corporate responsibility also involves engaging in regular dialogue with both external and internal stakeholders. Commerzbank actively and transparently communicates with these groups to understand and meet their expectations and needs, integrating their perspectives into its corporate strategy and sharing its own viewpoints.

Commerzbank particularly engages in dialogue with the following stakeholder groups:

  • Shareholders and investors
  • Research and academia
  • Customers
  • Suppliers
  • Media
  • Employees
  • Competitors and the financial sector
  • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
  • Political entities
  • Civil society

Commerzbank maintains relationships with numerous organizations and groups that approach it with requests, demands, or suggestions. The bank prioritizes engagement with stakeholder groups that significantly influence or are heavily impacted by its economic, environmental, or social performance.

The discussions on key issues related to social, economic, and financial policy are of great importance to Commerzbank.

To foster a constructive and critical engagement with its stakeholders, Commerzbank has established an external Sustainability Advisory Board. Comprising experts from politics, academia, society, NGOs, trade unions, and small and medium-sized enterprises, this board offers diverse insights and contributes to the ongoing development of Commerzbank’s sustainability strategy.

A comprehensive overview of Commerzbank’s stakeholder engagement can be found in its Sustainability Report (GRI Report).

What actions were taken by Commerzbank on its PRB targets, climate protection (net zero targets), biodiversity and women in management positions?

In its 2023 Non-Financial Report Commerzbank reports that it took the following actions on its PRB targets, climate protection (net zero targets), biodiversity and women in management positions:

  • SMART Target 1: Climate protection (net zero targets)
  • KPI 1: Commerzbank’s portfolio targets are outlined in its ESG framework, where they, along with the progress towards achieving them, are regularly updated.
  • KPI 2: By the end of 2023, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft had mobilized €238 billion for sustainable financial products, towards a target of €300 billion by the end of 2025.
  • KPI 3: In 2023, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft’s total CO2-equivalent emissions amounted to 76,591 tonnes. Commerzbank reached its interim goal of a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 (based on 2018 levels) ahead of schedule, with emissions of 78,402 tonnes in 2022—a reduction of 34.9%.
  • SMART Target 2: Biodiversity
  • Commerzbank set out its deforestation target in December 2023.
  • SMART Target 3: Women in management positions
  • By the end of 2023, women occupied 36.1% of management roles throughout the Group.

 

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 Commerzbank, 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:

https://www.commerzbank.de/ms/documents/en/non-financial-report-2023.pdf

Note to Commerzbank: 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

The post Case study: How Commerzbank takes action on its PRB targets: climate protection (net zero targets), biodiversity and women in management positions appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Case study: How Commerzbank works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices https://sustaincase.com/case-study-how-commerzbank-works-with-clients-and-customers-to-encourage-sustainable-practices/ Thu, 03 Oct 2024 05:57:55 +0000 https://sustaincase.com/?p=19710 Commerzbank is the premier financial institution for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany, serving 25,500 corporate client groups and approximately 11 million private and small-business customers. The bank provides a wide range of financial services to its clients through two primary business segments: Private and Small-Business Customers, and Corporate Clients. This case study is based on the 2023 Non-Financial Report by Commerzbank, 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 […]

The post Case study: How Commerzbank works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

]]> Commerzbank is the premier financial institution for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany, serving 25,500 corporate client groups and approximately 11 million private and small-business customers. The bank provides a wide range of financial services to its clients through two primary business segments: Private and Small-Business Customers, and Corporate Clients. Commerzbank 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 Non-Financial Report by Commerzbank, 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.

Layout 1

Which Principles for Responsible Banking have been addressed?

The Principles for Responsible Banking addressed in this case are:

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.

Commerzbank believes in fostering open and transparent communication with both internal and external stakeholders. This involves actively engaging with various groups to understand their expectations, needs, and perspectives, and incorporating their feedback into Commerzbank’s corporate strategy.

Commerzbank maintains regular dialogue with the following stakeholder groups:

  • Shareholders and investors
  • Research institutions and academia
  • Customers
  • Suppliers
  • Media
  • Employees
  • Competitors/ financial sector
  • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
  • Political entities
  • Civil society

Commerzbank maintains relationships with various organisations and groups which approach the bank with requests, demands or suggestions, and prioritizes dialogue with stakeholder groups that have a significant impact on its economic, environmental, or social performance, or those that are heavily affected by it.

Commerzbank also values the discussion on key issues related to social, economic, and financial policy.

To promote a constructive and critical dialogue with its stakeholders, Commerzbank has established an external Sustainability Advisory Board comprising experts from various fields, including politics, academia, society, NGOs, trade unions, and small and medium-sized enterprises. This board provides a diverse range of perspectives and helps shape Commerzbank’s’ sustainability strategy.

A detailed run-down of Commerzbank’s’ dialogue with interest groups can be found in its Sustainability Report (GRI Report).

How did Commerzbank work with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities?

In its 2023 Non-Financial Report Commerzbank reports that it works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities as follows:

To effectively combat climate change, a concerted global effort is needed, involving not only favourable political and technological advancements but also sufficient financial backing. To address this, Commerzbank is committed to mobilizing €300 billion for sustainable financial products by 2025. Furthermore, the financing of green technologies and innovative business ideas that can help mitigate climate change will also play a crucial role in achieving a successful transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future economy.

 

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 Commerzbank, 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:

https://www.commerzbank.de/ms/documents/en/non-financial-report-2023.pdf

Note to Commerzbank: 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.

The post Case study: How Commerzbank works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices appeared first on SustainCase - Sustainability Magazine.

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