Business ethics and environmental standards

As a development-oriented commercial group of banks, we continuously evaluate the relevance of our actions with regard to our concept of development, which goes well beyond the traditional notion of economic growth. Rather, it is related to a broader sense of responsibility towards the countries in which we operate.

We as the ProCredit group continuously assess our actions and decisions, not only from the perspective of profitability and our clients’ needs, but also and above all against the impact they might have on society and the environment around us.

The ProCredit Holding AG is a member of the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and shares its Principles for Responsible Banking. Its accession to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) for sustainable and responsible corporate governance underscores its commitment to strategically anchoring sustainability and contributing to the implementation of the SDGs. Furthermore, it joined the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA). This industry-led, UN-convened alliance of banks worldwide is committed to aligning their lending and investment portfolios with net-zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. This is in accordance with the most ambitious targets set in the Paris Climate Agreement. Furthermore, the ProCredit group has committed to set its future near- and long-term emissions reductions in accordance with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Net-Zero Standard, as part of the Business Ambition for 1.5°C and UNFCCC Race to Zero campaign.

As part of our efforts to assess climate risks and limit our impact on climate change, the ProCredit group has committed to measuring and disclosing the greenhouse emissions associated with its portfolio of loans and investments in accordance with the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) standards.

With our accumulated in-house expertise, we are perceived as pioneers in the countries in which we operate and our banks have positioned themselves as the partner of choice for green loans. Close cooperation with our clients allows us to understand and support them in their businesses. And, by bringing environmentally concerned businesses together, we provide a forum for discussion, knowledge-sharing and the exchange of ideas and best practices among our client group.