Media Library Sustainability

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is a partnership between the United Nations Environment Programme and the global financial sector to promote sustainable finance. The UNEP FI brings together banks, insurers, and investors to catalyse action across the financial system, supporting the transition to more sustainable and inclusive economies worldwide. The initiative focuses on key themes such as climate change, pollution, and circular economy, providing guidance and tools to help financial institutions manage sustainability risks and opportunities. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the UNEP FI aims to drive systemic change and foster a resilient global economy. This partnership enables ProCredit to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and address climate change through initiatives like green lending and carbon accounting. Under this initiative, we participate in the Finance Leadership group on Plastics.

The Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) are a framework developed by UNEP FI to guide banks in aligning their business strategies with societal goals, including the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals . By implementing the PRB, banks commit to embedding sustainability at the strategic, portfolio, and transactional levels. This involves setting and publishing targets, taking action to achieve them, and reporting on progress. The PRB provides a comprehensive approach for banks to manage environmental, social, and governance risks and opportunities, ensuring that their operations contribute positively to society and the environment. As a member of the UNEP FI, ProCredit integrates these principles into its operations, focusing on transparency, social responsibility and environmental sustainability. More information about our contributions can be found in the Impact Report Datasheet.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global organisation that enables companies and financial institutions to set ambitious, science-based emissions reduction targets. The SBTi provides standards, tools, and guidance to help businesses align their greenhouse gas emissions reductions with the latest climate science, aiming to keep global heating below catastrophic levels. The initiative’s Net-Zero Standard defines best practices for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, encouraging companies to take bold climate action. By setting and validating science-based targets, businesses can drive innovation, improve investor confidence, and contribute to the global effort to combat climate change. The SBTi’s rigorous validation process ensures that targets are credible and aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement. As part of this global push, the ProCredit group has committed to setting its future near- and long-term emissions reductions in accordance with the SBTi’s initiative (SBTi) Net-Zero Standard, in line with the Business Ambition for 1.5°C and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Race to Zero campaign. The SBTi has validated ProCredit Holding’s near-term targets as science-based: The group is committed to reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% in the near future. Additionally, ProCredit aims to engage with the clients responsible for 28% of its portfolio emissions to set their own science-based targets and to continue financing only renewable energy projects.

2X Global is a global membership and field-building organisation dedicated to advancing gender-smart investing and intersectional investment agendas. The initiative brings together investors, capital providers, and intermediaries from both developed and emerging economies to facilitate the deployment of capital through gender lens investments. 2X Global engages its network through educational forums, certification programmes, and deal-sharing platforms, promoting standards and practices that enhance women’s economic participation and leadership opportunities. By mobilising billions in gender lens investments, 2X Global aims to create a more inclusive and equitable financial system, demonstrating the positive impact of diversity on business performance and societal well-being. ProCredit’s membership in 2x Global emphasises its commitment to advancing gender equality and fostering inclusive finance. In this way we are supporting women-led businesses and reducing gender-based barriers in finance.

ProCredit is proud to be a member of the Financial Alliance for Women, a global network dedicated to championing the female economy. This alliance brings together financial organisations from over 135 countries to unlock the full value of the female economy, which is the world’s largest and fastest-growing market. By participating in this network, ProCredit gains access to peer learning, data and research, policy advocacy, and women-centred products and services. The alliance supports its members in building profitable and sustainable women’s market programmes, thereby enhancing women’s economic participation and leadership opportunities. Through this membership, ProCredit demonstrates its commitment to gender-smart investing and advancing intersectional investment agendas, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable financial system.