At UniCredit, ESG considerations are fundamental to every decision we make and every action we execute. They are a central part of how we do business. We know that fulfilling our purpose of empowering communities to progress would not be possible without the highest standards of ESG across our bank.

Our business is governed by ESG principles for two reasons. The first is simple: it is the right thing to do, and it will equate to fulfilling our purpose in the long term. The second is because we believe the ESG transformation is the greatest business opportunity of decades. Reaching the Net Zero goal by 2050 will cost Europe 28tn for transportation, construction, infrastructure, energy and agriculture sectors.

While the opportunity is immense, any transition is a journey and this one is particularly complex. There is no doubt that we will encounter difficulties and obstacles. This is untrodden ground for institutions, individuals, governments and regulators alike, and we must work together to forge the most beneficial path for all stakeholders.

ESG will provide as much challenge as it does potential. We will constantly be required to evaluate the trade-off between environmental impacts and social repercussions. These are equally important for UniCredit, but we are realistic about their interaction and where we can add most value.

Compromises will be necessary if we are to deliver on our goals for both, but we will make these with our ultimate purpose in mind, focusing our energies on where we can have most impact.

At UniCredit, we are focused on delivering a positive and sustainable transition to green energy which does as little harm to the planet and its people as possible. In order to make this a fair transition for all, we work consistently towards increasing our own positive social impact in line with our role and responsibilities as a social actor. Our Social Impact Banking (SIB) programme, UniCredit Foundation and Banking Academy are but a few examples of this.

Sustainability is a critical part of UniCredit's new 2022-2024 Strategic Plan, UniCredit Unlocked. This is both in reference to those we choose to work with and also within our own bank. We believe it is essential to lead by example. We adhere to the highest standards and expect our partners and clients to do the same.

In 2021 we reduced our direct CO₂ emissions by 32% compared to 2017 and made a commitment to reach Net Zero by 2030 (by 2050 for financed emissions). We have provided financial education and financial awareness initiatives to approximately 330,000 beneficiaries. In terms of gender diversity, we can claim undisputed leadership in the European financial system and have established solid policies in all ESG areas. 

A. 2030 target on own emission.
B. From Green, Social, Sustainability and Sustainability-linked Bonds. All regions, all currencies. FY 2021. Source: Dealogic.
C. Measured by the former London Benchmarking Group (LBG), now Business for Societal Impact (B4SI) reporting framework.

What we embody ourselves, we demand from those we work with and have set clear objectives to support our clients in their transition. This means actively engaging with clients in our daily commitment to support their energy transition plans and working closely together to accelerate climate action. We aim to raise awareness and provide them with information, tools and education on innovations that can help their business evolve. We are committed to delivering €150 bn in ESG finance in the form of lending, DCM and investments over 2022-2024.

With a clear multi-stakeholder approach, in recent years we have been making a great effort to integrate all ESG factors into the bank's governance, business, risk and credit management, metrics and operations. With a best-in-class corporate governance, UniCredit is one of the few groups in Europe to have a dedicated ESG Committee, created in April 2021, on its board. The purpose of the new committee, which took over the sustainability responsibilities previously assigned to the Corporate Governance, Nomination and Sustainability Committee, is to supervise all the activities carried out in this field.

From an operational point of view, the ESG Strategy Roadmap encompasses more than 20 streams across the entire organisation, including national ESG plans, business approach, advisory and products, credit policies, ESG risk management and agenda, Net Zero plan and other commitments, ESG ICT and data strategy.

As well as having an important role in supporting clients in their transition plans, banks are also responsible for driving and encouraging further industry collaboration and innovation. That is why UniCredit engages in specific sector initiatives, such as the Steel Climate-Aligned Working Group and the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance, and supports innovative start-ups with its UniCredit Start Lab platform.

Banks have an important social function which goes far beyond lending. We have a huge responsibility in supporting clients in their own business transformation and guiding financing in the right direction. Our role is to assist our clients and communities in making meaningful progress towards a more sustainable, inclusive and equitable society in the long term.

Any transformation has a cost and, as with any investment, the return is spread over time. We spend today to collect tomorrow. With a multiplier effect, finance and private savings flank the extraordinary booster of public spending and become the main agents of change in social and business models. This is what banks can facilitate and what UniCredit will work to achieve.

We will continue to play our part in doing so: cultivating stakeholders' trust, supporting impactful social initiatives and consistently measuring our results to ensure we are held accountable. This will ensure ESG is at the heart of all our activity as we build a bank for the long-term; a bank for Europe's future.