Credendo – Export Credit Agency
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2017, 2022, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2017
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Social Achievements
- 2015-2017 update of the CSR Report published at the beginning of 2018
Governance Achievements
- Implemented a group-wide Corporate Governance framework, drawing upon the European Solvency II principles.
Climate Goals & Targets
Environmental Challenges
- US protectionism and potential trade wars
- Increasing public debt levels globally, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East and North Africa.
- Rising corporate debt levels in several emerging countries.
- CEMAC liquidity crisis exacerbated by decreased commodity prices and regional conflicts.
Mitigation Strategies
- Diversification of trade markets and conclusion of new free-trade agreements (Mexico)
- Better public financial management and strong policymaking (Sub-Saharan Africa)
- Outward reinsurance to mitigate underwriting risk
- Careful selection of reinsurers with at least investment-grade ratings and strict follow-up.
Supply Chain Management
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:636 tonnes of CO2 equivalents in 2020; 867 tonnes in 2021 (2022 under measurement)
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Energy Transition
- Environmental Sustainability
- Social Responsibility
- Governance
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Employee Well-being
- Responsible Procurement
- Human Rights
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved carbon neutrality in 2019 through emission reduction and offsetting.
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by almost a third since 2010.
- Launched Credendo Green Package in May 2022, offering favorable conditions for sustainable projects.
- Invested EUR 100 million to fund green transactions.
- Installed 134 solar panels on the Brussels head office roof in Q1 2022.
- Replaced Freon-based chiller with a condensing chiller in January 2022.
Social Achievements
- Launched various programs to improve employee well-being and work-life balance (Credendo cares).
- Implemented onboarding program with buddy system for new hires.
- Offered flexible working hours and work-from-home options.
- Supported internal mobility and provided diverse training programs.
- Organized internal sustainability training sessions on Environment, Social, and Governance.
Governance Achievements
- Updated corporate sustainability policy in 2022 to align with sustainability goals.
- Implemented ESG strategy in investment portfolio, excluding fossil fuels.
- Developed an ESG label for certain transactions.
- Established anti-bribery and anti-corruption policy in line with OECD standards.
- Implemented a responsible procurement policy.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Medium-term Goals:
- Continue to increase focus on sustainability and ESG topics.
Short-term Goals:
- Further reduce carbon footprint and improve energy efficiency.
Environmental Challenges
- Rising debt levels in Africa.
- Increased geopolitical tensions.
- Intensifying natural disasters due to climate change.
- High wealth inequalities.
- Rising autocracies and social/political instability.
Mitigation Strategies
- Applying stricter internal rules for high-risk countries.
- Avoiding projects that could worsen country risks.
- Implementing ESG strategy in investment portfolio.
- Phasing out export finance for fossil fuels.
- Supporting projects contributing to the UN SDGs.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Thorough assessment of suppliers before working with them.
- Preference for local suppliers and those with high-standard certifications.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Intensifying natural disasters
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes, market shifts
Opportunities
- Investments in climate-friendly technologies and projects
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: OECD Common Approaches, IFC Performance Standards, UN SDGs
Certifications: CO2 Neutral label (CO2logic)
Third-party Assurance: CO2logic
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- 3
- 4
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 16
- 17
Many Credendo transactions contribute directly to these SDGs.
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:1.5 tCO2e/year per FTE (2022)
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Environmental Sustainability
- Social Responsibility
- Governance
- Human Rights
Environmental Achievements
- Achieved carbon neutrality in 2019 and maintained it through offsetting.
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by almost a third since 2010.
- Launched Credendo Green Package in 2022 to support sustainable projects.
- Installed solar panels on Brussels head office.
- Switched to more ecological paper for printing.
Social Achievements
- Launched 'Credendo Cares' well-being initiative with programs for mental and physical health.
- Implemented onboarding program with buddy and mentor system.
- Offered flexible working hours and remote work options.
- Supported internal mobility and lifelong learning.
- Organized various employee engagement activities (e.g., World Environment Day, European Mobility Week).
Governance Achievements
- Updated corporate sustainability policy in 2023.
- Implemented ESG strategy in investment portfolio with four pillars (exclusion, ESG score, proxy voting, green energy mandate).
- Adherence to OECD standards on anti-bribery and anti-corruption.
- Implemented a digital whistleblower portal.
- Developed due diligence procedures to identify and mitigate risks.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Maintain carbon neutrality.
Medium-term Goals:
- Further increase support for sustainable projects through Credendo Green Package.
Short-term Goals:
- Continue reducing carbon footprint and improving energy efficiency.
Environmental Challenges
- Increasing geopolitical tensions and instability.
- High debt levels in some regions, particularly Africa.
- Intensifying climate change and its impact on country risks.
- Decreasing attention to sustainability across regions.
Mitigation Strategies
- Incorporation of political, social, institutional, and environmental factors into Country Risk Assessment Model (CRAM).
- Stricter internal rules for high-risk countries.
- Avoidance of projects that could worsen country risks.
- Alignment with COP26 statement and phasing out unabated fossil fuels.
- Implementation of Credendo Green Package.
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Thorough assessment of suppliers before working with them.
- Preference for local suppliers and those with high-standard certifications.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Extreme natural disasters (floods, droughts)
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes related to climate policy.
Opportunities
- Investments in renewable energy projects.
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: OECD Common Approaches, IFC Performance Standards, UN SDGs
Certifications: CO2 Neutral label (CO2logic)
Third-party Assurance: CO2logic
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- 3
- 4
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 16
- 17
Many insured transactions contribute to these SDGs.