Banks' commitment to sustainable development is strengthened. Since the latest BusinEsSG survey, which ABI dedicates to the integration of the environmental, social and business management dimensions (ESG acronym from the English Environmental, Social and Governance) into banking activities, created to represent the state of the art of non-declarations financial statements (Dnf) published by banks in 2020 compared to the activities carried out in 2019, the commitment of the banking sector to adopt sustainable development strategies and actions capable of making a contribution in Italy to the achievement of the 17 objectives of the 2030 Agenda promoted by the United Nations. From the survey, banks that represent 81,9% in terms of total assets in the sector report initiatives consistent with the achievement of the UN sustainability objectives (Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs in the English acronym).
In relation to the SDGs related to topics, in particular, the survey shows that the main objectives reported (by over 70% of the total assets of the sector) are: employment and economic growth, quality education, gender equality, cities and communities sustainable, fight against poverty, responsible consumption and production, fight against climate change, clean and accessible energy.
Non-financial reporting, a 'team' work
The ABI survey shows that non-financial reporting is a transversal process that increasingly involves the bank throughout its organizational structure. The preparation of the non-financial statement is coordinated in most cases, in banks representing 84% of the sector in terms of total assets, by the unit responsible for sustainability, but all respondents affirm the involvement of the Financial Statements, Risk Management functions , Human Resources, Purchasing and Logistics. The ABI survey also highlights the comparison with the different realities that relate to the bank, such as employees, customers, shareholders, researchers or academics, third sector organizations. In addition, 80% in terms of total assets include in the Dnf the wording of precise commitments towards the various subjects or groups that deal with the bank.
The communication of the reporting
According to the survey, the website is the main communication channel that banks use to communicate their sustainability results. The other channels used, even concurrently, are social platforms (78% of total assets), in particular Linkedin and followed by Facebook and Twitter.