From the financing of green projects, the introduction of green loans and the support of innovative ideas for the sustainability of the region, all the way to the promotion of inclusivity, sports, culture and cultural heritage - there are many reasons why NLB Group is one of the sustainability leaders in Southeast Europe. As a silver sponsor, NLB Banka AD Podgorica supports the first major regional ESG Summit, organised by Sustineri Partners, in cooperation with Porto Montenegro, the Government of Montenegro and the Bloomberg Adria network, which will be held from April 26 to 28 in Tivat.
"At NLB Group, we are aware of the great opportunity that lies ahead of us - the opportunity to leave our mark and provide a better quality of life for future generations. Southeast Europe has potential. We have all the necessary inputs from nature that, with thoughtful, sustainable thinking and approach, could provide self-sufficiency as well as economic development and success. In addition, we have exceptional individuals – innovators, talents, athletes, thinkers, creators. So, we have everything we need to become one of the beacons of sustainable business and a great example to others", said Ivan Tomic, Director of Strategy and Business Development at NLB Group.
"However, we must not close our eyes to the fact that there is also much room for improvement, both in the environmental, social and governance aspects. That is exactly where conferences and events, such as Western Balkans ESG Summit, play a key role. Namely, they indicate potential problems and highlight opportunities for progress, open an arena for discussion, serve as a space for exchanging ideas and contribute to progress. NLB Banka is proud to be part of the Summit, ideas and the solutions it will offer and wants to inspire regional companies, big or small, to join us on this journey", highlighted Tomic.
The importance of the NLB Group's activities for Southeast Europe (SEE) countries is reflected not only in its contribution to the economic development of this region, but also in its efforts to respond to pressing social and environmental challenges and improve the quality of life of the residents in SEE. Sustainability, in the wider sense, is the main guide for all business decisions and actions of the NBL Group, which is also reflected in its goal to incorporate high ESG standards (environmental, social and governance), and the protection and improvement of the living and social environment of Southeast Europe. The NLB Group has established a comprehensive Sustainability Framework, based on three fundamental operating principles that include social responsibility, sustainable finance and sustainable operations, and ethical and efficient business in accordance with the standards of the European Union and the United Nations. In 2020, NLB Group committed that they will follow the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking, which define the role and responsibility of banks in shaping a sustainable future, and help banks align their operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
All NLB Bank's efforts towards sustainable development and operation are visible in a whole series of steps that this banking and financial group has taken in the previous period, in order to provide green services and solutions, with a special focus on its own carbon footprint, and to support sports, culture and socially vulnerable groups. These efforts are internationally recognized and confirmed by the first ESG rating for medium exposure and strong management of significant ESG issues. received an ESG Risk Rating of 17.7 and was assessed by Sustainalytics to be at low risk of experiencing material financial impacts from ESG factors, due to its medium exposure and strong management of material ESG issues. In addition, NLB's ESG Risk Rating places it among the best 15% banks assessed by the company.
NLB Group is a member of the UN`s Net Zero Banking Alliance, which aims to align credit and investment portfolios with achieving zero net emissions by 2050. The Group made a decision not to financially support energy derived from coal. On the other hand, NLB Group finances green projects in the region, such as the wind farm in Kosovo, which is already operational and can supply more than 100,000 households with electricity, i.e. up to 10% consumption in Kosovo. In addition, the Slovenian NLB d.d. and NLB Komercijalna banka Belgrade have joined forces in support of the first commercial renewable energy project in Serbia - the Krivača wind farm, which represents a major milestone in Serbia's transition to green energy and marks a new chapter in the energy transition of Southeast Europe.
NLB Group introduces sustainable products, such as the “green loans” for corporate investments in the energy efficiency of office buildings, the reduction of the carbon footprint, and with its internal policies it contributes to the preservation of the environment. At NLB, paper consumption is taken into account, which contributed to the preservation of 866 trees last year. Employees can work from home, and they are encouraged not to use cars to get to work, and a large number of employees voluntarily join numerous green activities.NLB Group takes care of and contributes to the community of the entire Southeast Europe. It promotes sports, invests in culture and cultural heritage, and donates generously to socially vulnerable groups, as it is shown by the fact that it closed the year 2022 with a donation in the total value of more than 500,000 euros in all markets where it operates. NLB Group, with all its member banks, has been implementing The Frame of Help project for many years. In the first years, this project was focused on helping companies affected by the coronavirus, while the goal of last year's project was to find, promote and finance unique and innovative ideas that best solve sustainability challenges in the region.
As many as 300 companies participated in the Frame Of Help project, with which the NLB Group sought sustainable solutions to the challenges of the future. Among them, the first-level jury first selected 10 finalists from each market where our banking members operate; and the international expert jury then selected the three best among them: the company ANTEJA ECG svetovanje d.o.o. from Slovenia, Smart Watering Solutions d.o.o. from Serbia and Montex Elektronika from Montenegro.
“We are proud of the Montenegrin company which, with its MOKOS platform for early detection of fires and timely notification of competent services through an active monitoring center, has won 3rd place and a cash prize worth 20,000 euros for the implementation of this project, fully sustainable oriented. NLB Bank supported other Montenegrin participants in the project, whose ideas were also assessed as viable, and who did not meet all other necessary criteria, by organising several podcasts and training, which enabled them to present themselves to the public. NLB Group will continue with this initiative in the future as well”, said Martin Leberle, President of the Management Board of NLB Bank AD Podgorica.
In addition to this project, NLB Bank supports sports, invests in culture and cultural heritage, of which the Art Program for Visual Arts is significant. Likewise, NLB Group advocates for inclusiveness and equal opportunities for all employees, and in 2020, women made up 56% of management positions.
“NLB Bank is a great example of how it is possible to do business in the region responsibly and in accordance with international standards of sustainable development and responsible investment. Their knowledge, best practices and experience will be valuable for all participants of the first major Western Balkans ESG Summit”, said Biljana Braithwaite, CEO of Sustineri Partners, organiser of the Summit.
