Sustainability

DZ BANK

Sustainability

Sustainability Report 2025 in Accordance with ESRS

(CSRD Report)

DZ BANK is publishing the Sustainability Report 2025 as part of the Annual Financial Statements and Management Report and complies with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).

For us at DZ BANK, the focus has never been on the ‘zeitgeist’ when it comes to sustainability and ESG, but rather on how we can best support society and the economy in making the necessary changes.

Cornelius Riese, Chief Executive Officer of DZ BANK

The image shows a person standing on a balcony or terrace holding a laptop. The background features modern high-rise buildings suggesting an urban environment.

Sustainability Report 2025 in Accordance with ESRS (CSRD Report)

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DZ BANK's Materiality Matrix 2025 in Accordance with ESRS

(CSRD Report)

The image is a risk and opportunity matrix, likely from DZ Bank. It categorizes various factors related to operations and the portfolio, such as climate change adaptation, diversity, human rights, corruption, and bribery. The matrix positions concepts based on their perceived risk and opportunities, with axes labeled "Impact on business (from our stakeholders)" and "Risks and opportunities (from our relevance)."

The image depicts a landscape featuring renewable energy infrastructure.

### Main Elements:

1. **Wind Turbines:**
- The image showcases several wind turbines that harness wind energy to generate electricity.
- These are large vertical structures with three blades, strategically placed in the landscape.

2. **Solar Panels:**
- A vast array of solar panels is visible in the foreground of the image.
- The panels are arranged in long rows to capture solar energy efficiently.

3. **Open Landscape:**
- The scene unfolds over a wide, open expanse of grassland.
- The area might be used for agriculture or simply reserved for renewable energy facilities.

4. **Sunlight:**
- The sun is shining brightly, contributing to the effectiveness of the solar panels.
- There is a sunbeam or lens flare effect, indicating a clear sky typical for locations optimizing solar energy.

5. **Environmental Harmony:**
- The image portrays a balance of technology and nature, emphasizing sustainable energy solutions.

Overall, this image showcases a harmonious setting for renewable energy production, utilizing both wind and solar power in a serene, open landscape.

DZ BANK Framework for Sustainable Products

As the central institution of the Genossenschaftliche FinanzGruppe Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken, DZ BANK (also) takes into account aspects relating to people, the environment, and responsible corporate governance. The Sustainable Product Framework describes the corresponding products of DZ BANK and serves as a uniform framework of orientation for their classification and description across relevant business activities.

Our Sustainability Values

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Strategy

At DZ BANK, sustainability-related aspects form an integral part of our strategy. We take the Sustainable Development Goals into account in our core business, manage sustainability at Executive Board level through the Group Sustainability Committee (GSC), and are involved in various initiatives and memberships.

The image depicts a serene and scenic landscape, characterized by a combination of natural elements:

1. **Forest Area:**
- Extensive coverage of lush green vegetation, likely composed of dense forest stretching across the image.
- Diversity of tree species and plant life visible due to variation in green hues.

2. **Water Body:**
- Presence of a calm and reflective water body, possibly a lake or a river, meandering through the forest.
- The water surface appears smooth, reflecting the surrounding trees and sky.

3. **Sky:**
- Clear, expansive sky with subtle shades ranging from light blue to soft orange, indicating a time either close to sunrise or sunset.
- Gentle, diffused sunlight illuminating the scene.

4. **Topography:**
- Gentle rolling hills or undulating landscape covered with forest.
- Provides a sense of depth and dimension to the scene.

5. **Overall Atmosphere:**
- tranquil and peaceful environment, typical of a remote natural landscape.
- Likely a place suited for relaxation, exploration, or nature related activities.

This image is a vivid representation of the beauty and tranquility found in untouched natural landscapes.

Environment

DZ BANK supports sustainability-oriented customers by providing suitable finance solutions with a focus on sustainability.

The image shows a group of people in a modern office or workspace setting. Two of them are engaging in a handshake, indicating a meeting or greeting. They are casually dressed, suggesting an informal or workplace environment. Behind them, other individuals appear to be involved in conversation or awaiting interaction. The atmosphere appears professional and cooperative.

Social

DZ BANK places a strong emphasis on supporting its employees and also promotes social responsibility along the value chain.

Governance

DZ BANK pursues a responsible management strategy characterised by transparency.

The image depicts a woman standing outside a house near a brick wall, preparing to charge an electric vehicle. She is holding a charging cable connected to the charging station mounted on the wall. The car's charging port is visible, indicating that it is ready to be plugged in for charging. The setting appears to be residential, characterized by the house's exterior and the driveway where the vehicle is parked. The weather looks clear, and the woman's attire suggests a casual setting.

Sustainabilit-Related Products

Our sustainability-related products take environmental, social and ethical criteria into account. The specific criteria and how they are applied are described in more detail under ‘Continue Reading’.