News overview
View the latest news releases from Sustainable Banking and stay informed.
All publications
ABN AMRO invests 1 billion euros to tackle carbon emissions
Up to 2030, ABN AMRO is investing 1 billion euros in early-stage capital to facilitate the transition to a net-zero economy. Through various forms of investment, the bank is providing equity capital to innovative companies that are going the extra mile to make the economy more sustainable.
The road ahead: from climate agreement to climate action
In 2019, ABN AMRO joined forty-nine other financial institutions in signing up to the Dutch Climate Agreement. So what does the bank’s endorsement mean in practical terms? We recently sat down with Anne Huibrechtse (head of Climate & Innovation) and Anke Kuijpers (Climate Plan Implementation lead) to talk about turning agreements on paper into concrete action.
Transition loan gives businesses one more reason to embrace sustainability
ABN AMRO wants to motivate businesses to make their operations more sustainable. In making the transition, businesses achieving demonstrable results when working towards a specific sustainability goal are now eligible for an interest rate reduction of 0.30% on their financing package upon meeting agreed annual targets. If they don’t meet their agreed target for the year, an interest surcharge of 0.15% is levied. That, in a nutshell, is how ABN AMRO’s new transition loan works.
Getting down to business: EU legislation on transparency in the production chain
The European Parliament backed plans in June for an EU-wide duty of care in production chains known as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). That means businesses and banks alike will be taking on additional responsibilities. ABN AMRO supports the move towards a better duty of care and welcomes the opportunity to help its clients comply with the new legislation.
“More and more people want to make an impact with their investments”
In 2019, ABN AMRO was one of the first banks in Europe to launch an impact mandate with the aim of contributing to a better world. But until very recently, this investment mandate was open only to the most affluent of the bank’s clients. Now that threshold is being lowered: starting from 50,000 euros, the bank’s clients can invest in companies making a positive impact on climate and society.
Can a purpose and regulations go hand in hand?
I believe fighting for something bigger than ourselves is important. I’m concerned about more than ABN AMRO when it comes to impact, since the planet and society are of paramount importance, too. That’s why the bank’s purpose – Banking for better, for generations to come – resonates so deeply with me. We at ABN AMRO very deliberately decided on that purpose, since it serves as the guiding principle underlying our strategy and the work we do each and every day. Our purpose also helps to boost employee engagement and motivation, challenging us to reflect on the impact our work has on society at large. As the Chief Sustainability Officer, I know first-hand just how big that impact is.