Social participation, Operational commitment for the benefit of society
We are part of society and as such are networked with our environment in many ways. For us, taking responsibility here means addressing societal developments and social challenges and participating in their solution. We make our contribution in numerous projects and initiatives that we have launched together with partners from politics, business and society. Because we are convinced that only together can we successfully meet the challenges now and in the future.
Sustainability and ESG are widely used terms. Sustainability describes a forward-looking perspective in which environmental, social and economic aspects are considered over the long term in order to preserve the foundations of life and business for future generations. In the corporate and financial sectors in particular, these aspects are commonly summarized under the term ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance). Sustainability is defined differently across regulatory, scientific, and economic contexts. Regulatory requirements, such as the EU Taxonomy or the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, provide a framework for individual sustainability aspects while leaving room for company-specific specification.
The specific meaning of sustainability for Commerzbank AG’s products, services, and business activities is set out in the ESG Framework. It defines the relevant criteria and distinguishes, in particular, between the Bank’s own business and external client investment and insurance business, including asset management and securities business (“third-party business”).
Development banks
In order to promote international trade in certain countries, mainly in emerging markets, supranational development aid banks such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD, London), the Asian Development Bank (ADB, Manila), the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB, Washington) and the International Finance Cooperation (IFC, Washington) have set up special trade facilitation programs.
Commerzbank has been actively cooperating with all major development banks in the area of financial institutions for many years. The Trade Facilitation Programs primarily support small and medium-sized enterprises in their global trading activities.