Measuring impact

To keep better track of the impact we enable, we created a methodology to measure and further enhance the social outcomes created by our financing activities. Our methodology uses the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a reference – specifically the five SDGs listed below, where we can create most impact via our clients. We are one of the first financial institutions in the Netherlands to do this. As this is new and we stand to learn a great deal from it, we acknowledge that we may need to fine-tune our methodology along the way.

Our ambition

In 2020, we set an ambition to increase our social impact on these five SDGs by 10% from 2021 to 2023. This target is ambitious by design, encouraging us to take action as society is facing urgent social challenges.

To measure our impact, we have translated the specific goals underlying the five SDGs into quantifiable standards. These – in turn – are translated into indicators, on which we report annually. All BNG Bank clients are included in the data, as we believe that it is important for our financial backers to know how our clients deal with the capital provided them by BNG Bank. In March 2022, the first assessment – a so-called 'baseline measurement' – was published for the year 2021. Following this, we report on our clients' impact on these indicators.

Enhancing impact

In 2022, we introduced an engagement plan to help steer our clients’ activities and to support them in their efforts to act on these SDGs. Moreover, BNG Bank is determined to manage the reduction of carbon emissions in the loan portfolio with 49% by 2030, in line with the financial sector’s climate commitment. In our climate plan, ‘Going Green’, we outline how we will work to bring emissions from our credit portfolio and those arising from our own operations in line with the 1.5°C target of the Paris Climate Agreement in the coming years.