Credit Agricole is eager to reduce its direct carbon footprint by 10% and become one of TOP 3 green banks of Ukraine

Striving for sustainable growth, the Credit Agricole Group implements the Climate Strategy, which is a high-priority and an integral part of the Group’s Medium Term Plan 2022. Credit Agricole Bank fully supports the Group, and under the approved strategy, plans to reduce its direct carbon footprint by 10% during 2018–2022, and become one of TOP 3 green banks of Ukraine.

“As a member of the international socially responsible Group, we care about environment, future of the Earth, and try to do everything to improve it. To achieve that, Credit Agricole Ukraine implements the world’s best practices: we have our own solar batteries, use electric cars for work trips, and since 2020 electric scooters as well; we carry out energy audit and use new energy-efficient technology in the construction, we communicate with colleagues from the Group and thus adopt and share the experience and innovations. We implemented  “green” office project within which we sort waste, use paper made from 100% recycled materials, and sulfate free cleaning supplies. However, the biggest achievement is the development of ecological culture and the commitment of Credit Agricole team to consume resources in a responsible manner, and find the way to optimization. Moreover, every year our colleagues plant trees and thanks to this initiative over 47 000 new trees have already appeared, while our new format outlets became carbon-neutral! Financing is a key aspect of the bank’s activity: financing the purchase of solar power stations, electric cars, energy-efficient technology motivate our customers to join the eco trend. Climate change is a serious challenge for the modern world and we have to pool our efforts realizing our responsibility to future generations for the world we hand over to our children and grandchildren whose future depends on what we do today,” said Yurii Dziuba, Head of the General Services Department of the Credit Agricole Bank.

Being a socially responsible business the Credit Agricole Group contributes to the development of society and works against climate change by speeding up the economy sectors’ shifting to green energy and complying with eco standards in its everyday operations. The Climate Strategy of the Group is complex and includes the following principle elements:

• Green financing. The Group was the developer of the Equator principles and a co-creator of the Green bonds product, which are the world trend now. The Group gradually changes the focus of its loan portfolio and investment portfolio in order to make green financing the key driver of the development, and for more than 10 years has been motivating its customers to shift to renewable energy and energy-efficient technology by offering efficient financial instruments.
• Climate Change Management. In its work, the Group applies ESG approach and during the lending process takes into account the impact of customer’s activity on the environment, makes eco technology available and financially beneficial. 
• Carbon Footprint Reduction. The Group follows the principles of responsible consumption, uses renewable energy (100% of the power consumed by units in France), and energy-efficient technology, equips offices according to eco standards.
• Communication. The Group prepares and analyses the SCR and other non-financial reports, and promotes the eco approach through educational communication campaigns.
• Eco initiatives. The Group implements green initiatives and strives to compensate СО₂ emissions, aiming at becoming carbon-neutral.

Read the details of the Group’s Climate Strategy here:

https://www.banktrack.org/download/climate_strategy_in_english_1/strategieclimat_eng062019.pdf

https://www.credit-agricole.com/en/responsible-and-committed/our-csr-strategy-partnering-a-sustainable-economy/climate-finance

About Credit Agricole:

JSC «CREDIT AGRICOLE BANK» is a modern universal bank owned by the leading financial group in Europe – Credit Agricole Group (France). The Group is a major partner of the French economy and one of the largest banking groups in Europe. It is a leading retail bank in Europe, having the largest portfolio of assets under management, being first in the field of bancassurance and third - in project financing in Europe. Credit Agricole has been operating in the financial market of Ukraine since 1993 and renders the entire range of banking services to private individuals, including Premium clients, and business. The Bank pays special attention to cooperation with agricultural enterprises. Reliability and business reputation of CREDIT AGRICOLE in Ukraine is confirmed by the highest possible FITCH ratings, leading positions in bank sustainability, bank deposit reliability and bank profitability rankings, as well as by 280 000 active private and 17 000 corporate customers, including international corporations, large Ukrainian companies and representatives of small and medium business. Credit Agricole Bank is a socially responsible bank that confirms its status by the large number of projects implemented under the Corporate Social Responsibility Program “We Care!”. 

Contacts:

Viktoriia Torianyk, head of public relations and internal communications at credit Agricole Bank 

Email: Viktoriia.TORIANYK@credit-agricole.ua