Sustainability policy

BNG has an indirect influence on ESG issues at our customers. Nevertheless, as the most important financier in the public sector, we play a crucial role in making our customers more sustainable. We have various instruments at our disposal to ensure that the money we lend generates green and social added value.

Clear choices for a sustainable society

We focus exclusively on the Dutch public sector, including government bodies and organisations with a public remit. These include housing associations, healthcare institutions and educational establishments. Organisations that are more than 50% government-owned or whose activities are fully guaranteed by the government are also welcome to contact us.  

Terms and conditions of financing

We want to encourage customers to make sustainable choices by offering favourable financing terms and targeted financing propositions. With “green loans”, we provide insight into the green investments made by housing associations. We will be expanding this type of loan to other customer sectors in the near future.  

Building impact together with customers

We conduct strategic customer meetings that focus on sustainability. We encourage customers to formulate ambitions and draw up action plans.  

These meetings help us to:  

• Raise customer awareness of the urgency and opportunities of sustainability
• Gain insight into the measures customers have already taken and their plans
• Manage and reduce the climate and environmental risks faced by our customers (and therefore the bank)

In order to conduct these discussions effectively, we try to gain as clear a picture as possible of the ESG and sustainability issues that concern our customers. Important elements of this are:  

• Individual ESG ratings: We assess customers (for the time being) on the basis of their CO2e emissions, energy efficiency, physical risks and adaptation measures  
• Climate action plans: We monitor whether our larger customers have reduction targets and plans
• We check whether our views match those of the customer and learn from each other

Transparency and accountability

BNG reports annually on its progress in the area of sustainability. We follow the international GRI standard in our annual report, publish the Pillar III report, issue the annual Going Green climate progress report and publish our ESG ratings. This gives stakeholders insight into our performance and ambitions, and provides customers with insight into sustainability developments in their sector.

ESG ratings  

An ESG rating agency assesses companies on their performance and risks relating to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Their role is similar to that of a credit rating agency, but focused on sustainability. BNG has received (unsolicited) ESG ratings from ESG rating agencies. The ratings BNG has received are:  

• Sustainalytics (11.0 Low risk)    
• ISS ESG (C+ Prime)  
• MSCI (AA)