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Sustainability

Taking responsibility for people, the environment and the community.

Our approach to sustainability

At Handelsbanken, we understand the impact we have on the community, the environment and the financial markets. Taking responsibility and looking to the long term are therefore inextricably linked with our work.

This is reflected in strong, lasting relationships, a low risk tolerance and a keen awareness of costs. Our personal approach to banking and sustainability is woven into all our daily activities; into our role as a responsible employer; into the choice of suppliers we work with; into our commitment to minimise our impact on the environment; into our commitment to responsible lending and investing; and into the active role that our branches play in local communities across the country. All these things help us to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Handelsbanken’s sustainability goals

Sustainable development goals the goals we focus on

Measurable goals 

At Handelsbanken, we actively work with sustainability goals that originate from the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. For example, the bank aims to be CO2 neutral by 2040. The zero emission target applies, for example, to our loans and investments, but also to our own energy consumption and our business travel.

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Sustainability in our business operations

Social

We are committed to our customers, employees and the local communities in which we operate.

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Financial

As a bank based on close customer relationships, we can make a difference through responsible financing and investments.

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Environment

We strive to reduce the ecological footprint of our operations and enjoy working with customers who share our sustainable vision. 

News about sustainability

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Sustainability Report Handelsbanken Group

In our Sustainability Report you can read what the Handelsbanken Group achieved in the field of sustainability in 2021.

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The 2021 Sustainability Yearbook

For the fifth consecutive year, Handelsbanken has been included in the SAM Sustainability Yearbook, where companies receive a sustainability score based on financial, social and environmental criteria. This puts us in the top 15% of the most sustainable banks in the world.

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Principles for Responsible Banking

To bring even more focus to our work on climate change, we have committed to a number of United Nations initiatives, including the Principles for Responsible Banking, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Compact.

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable development goals the goals we focus on

The goals we focus on

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals consist of 17 goals aimed at achieving sustainable social, environmental and financial development.

We have chosen to focus on six of these goals, all of which are related to our core business. We are convinced that, through our activities, we can contribute to achieving these goals.

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Corporate Responsibility

Sustainability is an integral part of our daily work. We strive to make a responsible contribution to the community and aim to make a positive difference for our customers, our employees and society as a whole.