Committed to our purpose
Monitoring and managing ESG outcomes are an integral part of our Group’s operating structure. It not only enables us to fulfil our commitments to our stakeholders and the environment, it also has a clear commercial imperative. Put simply, we believe our focus on ESG is a crucial component that allows us to create sustainable long-term value, thereby generating consistent financial returns. Once again, in 2021, we used the Blueprint for Better Business framework to inform our purpose-led decision-making, helping to create and protect value for customers and suppliers, colleagues, communities, future generations and our shareholders.
Committed to our focus on ESG
Importantly, our commitment to ESG spans the entire Group. Whether it has been through the issuing of a €1 billion affordable housing social bond (the first of its kind by a UK bank), the fantastic achievement of Coutts receiving B Corp status, or from the work of Markets supporting our corporate clients in sustainability-linked financing, our focus on ESG is being integrated throughout our business. We have also been a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Banking for over two years now and we remain committed to aligning our strategy to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
We also recognise that now more than ever our stakeholders are eager to understand how we are working to address key environmental and societal issues. It was therefore particularly pleasing to see the launch of our inaugural ESG Supplement and our Climate-related Disclosures Report in the first half of 2021. Both of these documents have not only helped us to be more transparent with our stakeholders, they will also support wider reflection and engagement on ESG matters across the Group