Swedbank launches a new Sustainable Funding Framework for green, social and sustainability bonds
The new framework is both an update of the 2017 Green Bond Framework and an expansion of the scope with social activities. With the framework, Swedbank is positioned to issue green, social and sustainability bonds promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The framework is aligned with the ICMA Green Bond Principles 2021, Social Bond Principles 2021, and Sustainability Bond Guidelines 2021.
– The new framework will enable us to further support our clients in the transition through financing green and social projects. It also supports Swedbank’s strategy of aligning the business to the net-zero goal by providing the conditions for increased sustainable financing. Swedbank plays an important role in sectors such as real estate and in advising and meeting the investment needs of our clients in transitioning, says Fredrik Nilzén, Head of Group Sustainability, Swedbank.
Updates to the 2017 Green Bond Framework
Climate change is today amongst society’s greatest challenges and urgent actions are needed to keep global warming below 1.5ºC and to meet the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Swedbank is determined to take an active role in this effort by advising and helping clients to transition. After five years, the Green Bond Framework has now been updated to facilitate this transition and address changes to the regulatory environment including EU Taxonomy.
In the new framework, eligible green projects contribute to the EU environmental objectives (Climate Change Adaptation/Mitigation) and the eligibility criteria align, on a best effort basis, with the Technical Screening Criteria of the EU Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act.
Expansion of the framework for social assets
Societal engagement has played a key role throughout Swedbank’s 200-year history. The first savings bank was founded in 1820 to help the public save and achieve long-term financial security. Today, people still have financial goals and yet not everyone is empowered to achieve them. Our ability to make a positive contribution to the areas of employment and empowerment includes increased employment rates in socioeconomically weak areas and strengthened entrepreneurship among targeted groups.
– This framework gives us new broader tools to promote sustainable projects from our funding activities. It also meets the demands of our investors, as it enables us to issue sustainable bonds in line with market standards and regulatory requirements, says Anders Karlsson, CFO, Swedbank.
Read more about Swedbank Sustainable Funding Framework.
Contact:
Fredrik Nilzén, Head of Group Sustainability, phone +46 76 773 19 26
Hannes Mård, Communication Manager, phone +46 73-057 41 95
Swedbank encourages a sound and sustainable financial situation for the many households and businesses. As a leading bank in our home markets of Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, Swedbank offers a wide range of financial services and products. Swedbank has over 7 million retail customers and around 600 000 corporate customers and organisations with 154 branches in Sweden and 80 branches in the Baltic countries. The group is also present in other Nordic countries, the US and China. Read more at www.swedbank.com