TheIKNPost.com – PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BNI succeeded in winning two ESG implementation awards as a form of consistency in caring for the environment, social and governance in Jakarta, Wednesday (28/2/2024).
BNI succeeded in winning two categories, namely Most Appreciated ESG Report and ESG Lowest Risk at the ESG Appreciation Night event from B Universe.
The Most Appreciated ESG Report category is given to the top 20 companies that disclose ESG information comprehensively in their reports. BNI emerged as the winner from 21 nominations.
Meanwhile, the ESG Lowest Risk category is given to companies that have the lowest ESG risk. This means that BNI has succeeded in managing risks related to environmental, social and governance aspects very well, and is recognized as one of the 20 companies with the lowest ESG risk on the stock exchange market.
Apart from that, BNI also succeeded in winning The Excellent Sustainable Communication Company in Financial Sector at the 2024 Nusantara Sustainability Trend (NATURE) event with the theme “Embracing Humans and Environment in Harmony” from Nusantara TV.
BNI is considered consistent in carrying out innovations and breakthroughs in communicating sustainability programs so that the public is educated with a wider reach.
BNI Corporate Secretary Okki Rushartomo said the three awards were proof of BNI’s commitment to internalizing the principles of sustainable finance.
“As a state-owned bank which is the driving force for implementing Sustainable Finance in Indonesia, BNI continues to be committed to internalizing the principles of sustainable finance,” he said.
Okki explained that BNI had carried out various initiatives as the first mover in implementing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) in the banking sector.
One of the initiatives taken is to set a Net Zero Emission (NZE) target for BNI operational activities in 2028 and NZE financing in 2060.
From an operational perspective, BNI has calculated scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions at both the head office, regional offices and branch offices according to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol standards.
For efforts to reduce emissions, BNI will increase energy efficiency efforts at regional and branch levels and improve waste management processes to reduce waste to landfill.
In terms of financing, BNI continues to strive to increase green loan financing, where in 2023 financing in this category will reach IDR 67.9 trillion or grow by 13.6% from the position in December 2022.
“In encouraging the growth of green loans, BNI has also established interest relief incentives, especially for 4 green loan categories such as renewable energy, environmentally friendly transportation, environmentally friendly buildings and natural resource management,” he concluded.
As proof of BNI’s success in managing sustainability, during 2023 BNI also succeeded in obtaining an A Rating from MSCI and a Medium Risk Rating from Sustainalytics with a score of 21.4.
