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.

A fundamental aspect of Hamburg Commercial Bank’s extensive sustainability efforts is ongoing and proactive engagement with stakeholders. Through a thorough stakeholder analysis, HCOB has recognized its primary stakeholder groups, which include clients, investors, owners, employees, supervisory authorities, the public, rating agencies, and media representatives. The Bank fosters an active and continuous dialogue with these stakeholders, addressing the unique needs of various interest groups through tailored dialogue formats. The insights gained from these discussions are integrated into the Bank’s day-to-day sustainability initiatives and inform the evolution of its sustainability strategy.

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

In its 2024 PRB Reporting and Self-Assessment Template Hamburg Commercial Bank reports that it works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities as follows:

Hamburg Commercial Bank’s daily business decisions and interactions with clients and customers are shaped by established principles and policies outlined in various frameworks, including its Code of Conduct. HCOB has adopted a Sustainability Framework and set out defined Guiding Principles. The comprehensive ESG-integrated lending process consists of four key components: the Blacklist, the ESG decision matrix, the ESG Scoring, and the new Sustainable & Transformational Finance Framework (STFF). In 2023, the Bank worked to enhance the capabilities of its relationship managers, empowering them to engage more effectively with clients, particularly concerning the impacts of their activities. To further bolster this strategic dialogue, additional ESG-focused training sessions were planned for 2024, specifically emphasizing the implementation of the STFF across all market units.

 

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 Hamburg Commercial Bank, 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.hcob-bank.com/en/media/csr-report-2023/

Note to Hamburg Commercial Bank: 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.

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.

Kommunalkredit’s sustainability commitments for its business operations and loan portfolio are informed by a materiality analysis and align with international standards, in addition to stakeholder expectations.

Following an examination of Kommunalkredit Group’s value chain and portfolio, workshops were conducted to assess the depth of various sustainability issues, resulting in a comprehensive list of topics that could affect the company, society, or the environment. A survey was carried out on selected sustainability themes to gather stakeholders’ perspectives. Relevant stakeholders were invited to rate each sustainability topic on a scale and were also encouraged to identify the five most important topics, providing qualitative feedback on what aspects of sustainability matter most to them.

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

In its 2023 PRB Reporting and Self-Assessment Template Groupe Kommunalkredit reports that it works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities as follows:

Responsible business management is fundamental to Kommunalkredit’s long-term success. Kommunalkredit adheres to professional standards and ethics as part of its daily operations, which are outlined in its Code of Conduct. This Code is mandatory for all entities, staff, and employees of the Kommunalkredit Group in their interactions with stakeholders and in every business context.

To minimize the most significant potential negative impacts of its activities, Kommunalkredit has established a set of exclusion criteria that apply to all new business ventures (financing and investment) and are implemented through specific policies.

Moreover, through its subsidiary, Kommunalkredit Public Consulting, Kommunalkredit assists companies in their climate mitigation efforts by providing voluntary carbon offset projects as part of the Climate Austria initiative.

 

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 Kommunalkredit, 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.kommunalkredit.at/fileadmin/user_upload/Processed/Investor-Relations/Berichte/Nachhaltigkeitsberichte/EN/Kommunalkredit-UNEP.pdf

Note to Kommunalkredit: 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.

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.

KLP Banken shares a similar set of stakeholders as KLP (please refer to the stakeholder overview for details).

The primary stakeholders of KLP Banken include customers from both the retail and public sectors as well as its owners, which consist of municipalities.

Customers in the public sector can be categorized into two groups: general customers and those who also serve as owners. The bank’s advisors maintain regular contact with customers, and in 2023, KLP Banken conducted 190 meetings with them. These interactions provide KLP Banken with valuable insights into the key issues and challenges its customers face.

In addition to these meetings, KLP Banken participates in seminars, expert panels, and events that benefit both the institution and its customers. In 2023, KLP Banken contributed to various conferences addressing topics like “Scope 3 emissions in municipalities,” “transition financing for ports,” and “local sustainable transition.”

For KLP Banken, consulting and collaborating with relevant stakeholders, including interest organizations, is vital. This engagement provides KLP Banken with important insights and expertise that inform its sustainability initiatives. KLP Banken also values the opportunity for dialogue and knowledge sharing with other banks. Maintaining open communication with its customers and various stakeholders is essential as KLP Banken strives to achieve its goals moving forward.

Collaboration is also crucial when tackling complex challenges. In 2023, KLP Banken initiated a pre-project in partnership with several other organizations to explore ways to map financed emissions within the public sector. This effort will continue into 2024.

KLP Banken is committed to being a leader in the transition toward a more sustainable society and has served as the pilot owner for the project “transition financing for ports.” Through this initiative, KLP Banken and its project partners have established a framework with specific criteria that must be met to qualify for transition financing for ports. This framework was launched in the spring of 2023, and KLP Banken is currently working with several ports to encourage adoption of these standards.

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

In its 2024 PRB Reporting and Self-Assessment Template Groupe KLP Banken reports that it works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities as follows:

KLP Banken has established practices to promote sustainability in its interactions with customers.

PUBLIC MARKET
In the public sector, the bank maintains close and often long-term relationships with its customers, the majority of whom are also owners of KLP. This fosters dialogue on sustainability, corporate responsibility, and climate-related issues. KLP Banken strives to be a catalyst for sustainable decision-making among municipalities in public administration. A key focus of KLP Banken’s discussions and support for customers during their transition is the building sector, where KLP Banken advocates for the renovation of existing structures rather than new construction.

To enhance awareness of the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) and sustainability, KLP Banken has created standardized slide decks outlining the bank’s commitment to PRB, along with guidance on best practices for sustainability. These materials are utilized in meetings with public sector clients.

KLP Banken has established goals that incentivize employees to promote sustainable practices and provide information to clients. Sustainability is a core topic in KLP Banken’s discussions with public customers, and KLP Banken aims to empower municipalities and their associated businesses to make informed and sustainable choices regarding municipal finances and investments.

In 2022, KLP Banken introduced a new framework for integrating sustainability into the credit processes for public sector lending. For municipalities and county authorities, KLP Banken has developed a model for conducting annual sustainability assessments, evaluating customers on environmental impact, social responsibility, and corporate governance. For publicly owned companies, sustainability considerations will be incorporated into individual credit assessments. Through this process, KLP Banken aims to raise awareness and motivate its clients to improve their own impact.

KLP Banken also seeks to share insights from municipalities by disseminating information, highlighting successful projects, and showcasing customer stories.

RETAIL MARKET
In the retail market, KLP Banken engages with customers primarily through digital channels, as KLP Banken operates as an online bank. KLP Banken’s communications team regularly publishes articles and tips on its website related to sustainable consumer behaviour and general savings advice. KLP Banken is dedicated to enhancing its relevance and customer focus in its communications, especially on topics related to sustainability and finance. KLP Banken’s customer base includes a significant number of employees in Norway’s municipal and healthcare sectors, many of whom have relatively low to moderate income levels. KLP Banken recognizes the importance of tailoring sustainable financial advice to this group. To further its commitment in this area, KLP Banken has set a goal to achieve 25,000 unique page views on sustainability topics in 2024.

Norwegians invest considerable time and resources in home improvement and renovations. KLP Banken encourages its customers to be mindful of their environmental impact, prioritizing sustainable and energy-efficient solutions during home renovations. This initiative is linked to KLP Banken’s “green mortgage” product, which offers discounted interest rates for environmentally friendly renovations and energy-efficient homes. Additionally, KLP Banken advocates for a long-term approach to personal finance, advising customers to consider their individual CO2 footprints. Practical suggestions include creating a sustainable budget, minimizing unnecessary consumption, and enhancing savings for navigating global inflation. KLP Banken also emphasizes the importance of maintaining accessible funds for anticipated expenses as part of a more sustainable and resilient lifestyle.

 

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 KLP Banken, 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.klp.no/om-klp/samfunnsansvar/rapporter-og-resultater/PRB-Reporting-and-Self-Assessment-Template – KLP Banken 2024 endelig versjon inkl attest.pdf

Note to KLP Banken: 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.

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.

Engagement with stakeholders involves fostering ongoing dialogue and attentive listening among all parties concerned or involved in Groupe BPCE’s operations. The aim is to comprehend their needs and expectations so that the decisions made reflect the viewpoints of all involved, in line with BPCE’s CSR principles.

Groupe BPCE interacts with its stakeholders throughout its business activities, including:

• Customers (corporate clients, institutions, individuals)
• Cooperative shareholders (customers of Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne)
• Directors (local savings companies, boards of directors of Banques Populaires, supervisory boards of Caisses d’Epargne, BPCE SA supervisory board, specialized committees)
• Employees (staff of the Group and its subsidiaries, employee representatives, labour unions)
• Suppliers and subcontractors (corporate partners, service providers, companies from protected and adapted sectors)
• NGOs and non-profits (organizations focused on environmental protection and human rights)
• Institutions, federations, and regulators (financial regulatory bodies, French Banking Federation, ORSE, Global Compact, ESBG, EACB, etc.)
• Rating agencies, investors, and independent third parties (financial and ESG rating agencies, statutory auditors)
• Academic and research institutions (business schools, universities, research institutions)
• And others.

Groupe BPCE collaborates with independent third-party organizations to verify information. For example, Deloitte conducts audits on the data presented in the non-financial performance report, providing reasonable assurance.

Natixis CIB interacts with a variety of stakeholders across its different businesses and functions, including clients, shareholders, employees, NGOs, associations, universities and schools, suppliers and subcontractors, rating agencies, regulators, and supervisory bodies. In 2022, for example, Natixis CIB co-chaired the ICMA SLB working group, which includes 150 members (investors, issuers, and subscribers). This group’s goal is to offer recommendations on identifying, selecting, and utilizing Key Performance Indicators for structuring Sustainability Linked Bonds. Ultimately, they aim to provide clearer guidance to market participants, arrangers, issuers, and investors regarding the design and evaluation of SLBs, enhancing both clarity and integrity in the process.

Moreover, in accordance with regulatory requirements, each asset management subsidiary of Groupe BPCE adheres to its own voting policy, which is disclosed to stakeholders on their respective websites. These voting policies enable the Group’s asset management firms to cultivate an engaged shareholder base with the aim of positively influencing the governance of the companies they invest in concerning CSR matters.

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

In its 2023 PRB Reporting and Self-Assessment Template Groupe BPCE reports that it works with its clients and customers to encourage sustainable practices and enable sustainable economic activities as follows:

Groupe BPCE has revamped its CSR strategy, organizing it into three key areas and twelve commitments. The Group’s aim is to assist all its customers in their environmental transition, fostering strong strategic dialogue with clients to advise them on their own environmental transition. By 2024, the Group plans to make supporting environmental transformation a core growth driver for its business.

For Groupe BPCE, aiding all customers entails:

• Providing expert advice and engaging discussions about the transition, supported by extensive training for sales teams and the establishment of expertise platforms across the Group, particularly in renewable energy.
• Building high-quality partnerships to assist clients in their transformation efforts, offering a comprehensive solution for their transition, especially in energy renovation.
• Introducing a dedicated suite of financing options, impact loans, and specialized savings and insurance products with clear balance sheet traceability.

The BPCE 2024 strategic plan emphasizes support for professionals, companies, and institutions in their environmental transition. The Group’s networks are also funding emerging sectors related to social and environmental transitions in regions, such as the circular economy, waste management, construction, eco-construction, short-circuit food, and the silver economy for senior citizens.

Since 2010, Natixis CIB has been a signatory of the Equator Principles, committing to a thorough analysis of environmental and social aspects of projects while maintaining continuous engagement with clients on mitigation strategies and impact commitments. Natixis CIB has established a policy for systematically engaging with clients on all transactions covered by the Equator Principles or falling under sectoral policies. To foster responsible client relationships, Global Financial Services has developed several sector-specific policies applicable to all products and services offered to clients in fields such as coal (covering all Groupe BPCE), defense, tobacco, oil and gas, nuclear energy, palm oil, and mining and metals. Additionally, the GWF and ESR screening tools, which systematically analyze ESG risks during the initiation of relationships and loan approvals, along with the expertise from the Green & Sustainable Hub, are essential for identifying clients’ sustainability issues and promoting sustainable practices. Natixis CIB is dedicated to advancing sustainable finance, focusing on green bond issuance (with 54 green bond issues arranged in 2022), renewable energy financing (25 new deals in 2022 representing an installed capacity of 6,812 MW, amounting to €2.2 billion arranged by Natixis), and financing for sustainable infrastructures.

Moreover, Natixis IM International Solutions has introduced an advisory service to assist clients in aligning their strategic allocations and portfolios with a Net Zero trajectory through four key steps: assessing the portfolio’s exposure to climate risks using the ESG + Climate Portfolio Clarity tool; implementing an asset allocation consistent with Net Zero objectives; choosing investment solutions that meet return, risk, and climate goals in line with clients’ commitments and financial needs; and providing a reporting platform that enables clients to communicate their trajectory and commitments effectively.

 

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 Groupe BPCE, 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.groupebpce.com/app/uploads/2024/04/prb-reporting-groupebpce-april-2023-2.pdf

Note to Groupe BPCE: 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.