Hellenic Bank publishes its 2022 ESG Impact Report

Hellenic Bank remains focused on its goal to contribute towards a sustainable transition of the economy, aiming for a long-term positive impact on society and the environment. This commitment is also reflected in the Bank’s annual ESG Impact Report for 2022, which has been prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative Standards (Core option), and based on the organisation’s new ESG strategy.

Transitioning to a sustainable economy entails both risks and opportunities and this is why the Bank has adopted a strategic approach towards sustainability and ESG. In December 2022, the Board of Directors approved a new ESG Strategy, main drivers of which are the European and local strategies, the competitive environment, the evolving regulatory framework, and the sustainability materiality assessment.

As a result, the new ESG strategy in based on four pillars:

1. A net-zero and energy-efficient Bank
2. A workforce of the future
3. Resilience and performance
4. A sustainable ecosystem

Under the Sustainable Ecosystem pillar, the new green lending for 2022 reached €177 million, while the total contribution to environmental and social actions exceeded €500,000. In addition, the strategic cooperation with the Karaiskakio Foundation was renewed and the staffs’ Volunteers Team received an award at the seventh “Corporate Volunteering & Volunteer Offering” Competition for the #HBVolunteersChallenge.

Under the Energy Efficiency pillar, 54.500 kWh were consumed, coming from renewable energy sources, the annual energy consumption was reduced by 6.5 per cent and energy audits were carried out at all facilities.

In terms of the Workforce, 458 hours of ESG and climate and environmental risk training were delivered to staff, and the Performance & Assessment process was upgraded.

Finally, regarding the Resilience and Performance pillar, the Bank issued an ESG policy and a green lending policy, while the shift to digitisation continues with 90 per cent of total transactions were performed online.

Furthermore, Hellenic Bank is also in the process of finalising its Sustainable Financing Framework. Funding obtained from such bond issuance will be used for sustainable financing, contributing positively to environment and society. The framework was developed in accordance with the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) Green Bond Principles, Social Bond Principles and Sustainability-Bond Guidelines (SBG).

You can read the entire Hellenic Bank 2022 ESG Impact Report here.