Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

DZ BANK

Sustainability

Impact of Business Activities on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Measuring and managing the impact of its business activities to contribute effectively to sustainable development is a major concern for the DZ BANK Group. Since signing the Principles for Responsible Banking in March 2020, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations Agenda 2030 have provided a comprehensive framework for DZ BANK to evaluate the impact of its own business activities in relation to sustainable development. The following 17 SDGs were jointly adopted by the members of the United Nations in 2015 and have since served as concrete goals for all members to achieve socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable development.

The image depicts the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. These goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. Each goal is represented by a distinct icon and number, making them easily identifiable.

Here is a brief description of each of the 17 goals:

1. **No Poverty**: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
2. **Zero Hunger**: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
3. **Good Health and Well-Being**: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
4. **Quality Education**: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
5. **Gender Equality**: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. **Clean Water and Sanitation**: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
7. **Affordable and Clean Energy**: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
8. **Decent Work and Economic Growth**: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
9. **Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure**: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
10. **Reduced Inequalities**: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. **Sustainable Cities and Communities**: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
12. **Responsible Consumption and Production**: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
13. **Climate Action**: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. **Life Below Water**: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
15. **Life on Land**: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
16. **Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions**: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. **Partnerships for the Goals**: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

These goals are interconnected and aim to balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: environmental, economic, and social.

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SDG Classification

The SDG classification assesses business activities, such as loans, in terms of their contribution to the 17 SDGs. Based on extensive literature research and industry knowledge, indicators were developed at the sector and sub-sector level that link the classification objects with a meaningful sustainability assessment (positive, neutral or adverse contribution) in the sense of an indicator logic.

The image shows a person working on a laptop with a graph displayed on its screen. The graph likely represents some type of data analysis, business trends, or statistical information over time. The laptop is on a wooden surface, and there is another person seen with a smartphone in the background. Additional items, such as stationery, can be observed on the table.

Technology Mapping

The technology mapping is based on the SDG classification and aims to create transparency regarding the particularly relevant climate impact contributions.