What is sustainable development and why is it important to BIL?

The concept of sustainable development was defined by the Brundtland Commission in 1987 and summarized as follows: “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

In alignment with this principle, the Bank is committed to building a responsible and sustainable banking institution for future generations. BIL recognizes the critical importance of integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria into its core objectives and actively engaging with all stakeholders in this transformative process. This goes beyond mere regulatory compliance, it's a firm commitment by BIL to continuously enhance its processes and create a meaningful, positive impact across its entire ecosystem.

As a financial intermediary at the heart of the economy, BIL possesses the unique ability to steer capital flows towards sustainable initiatives. Aware of its profound responsibility in this domain, BIL is dedicated to offering its clients innovative products that contribute positively to society and the environment.

Through its efforts, BIL aims to embody its core values Caring, Leading, Engaging, Accessible, and Reliable ensuring that its mission resonates at every level of the organization and fosters a sustainable future for all.

Alessandra Simonelli

Head of Sustainable Development

“We are an international bank that provides strong support to the local economy and communities. We are engaging with our employees to facilitate the transition to sustainable banking, conscious of our responsibilities and keen to develop products that allow us, together with our clients, to have a positive impact and build solid foundations for future generations.”

Sustainability Timeline at BIL

  • First INDR Certification
  • Member of LuxFLAG – a certification body for sustainable funds
  • Creation of the Head of CSR role within the HR department
2015
  • Member of the ABBL’s diversity think tank, an initiative led by the ABBL aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within Luxembourg’s financial sector.
  • Creation of the internal BIL Volunteering Team
2016
  • Publication of the first non-financial report
2018
  • First Diversity Charter
  • IMS membership
2019
  • Governance: Creation of the Sustainable Development department
  • Signature of the Zero plastic pledge initiated by IMS
2020
  • 1st stakeholder engagement plan (ESG Survey) and definition of BIL’s sustainability Materiality Matrix
  • Sustainability Strategy definition based on four pillars & selection of nine priority UN SDGs
  • Signature of UN Principles of Responsible Banking (UNPRB) and UN Global Compact (UNGC)
  • Renewal of INDR Certification
  • Publication of a Responsible Investment Framework
2021
  • Sustainability Reporting: adoption of GRI standards for 2021 report
  • 1st Carbon Footprint measure
  • Launch of sustainability website
  • ESG integration in key functions
  • Launch of BIL’s Green Bond Framework
  • Launch of the ESG Loan project and CSRD project
  • 1st Biodiversity initiatives (Beehives, BIL Forest)
  • Diversity: Focus on Gender Equality
  • Commuting and mobility projects
2022
  • Signing the IMS “Diversity Charter Lëtzebuerg”
  • Signing the Luxembourg Women in Finance Charter by Luxembourg Sustainable Finance Initiative (LSFI)
  • First ESG Risk Rating from Sustainalytics
  • First ESG Risk Rating from MSCI
  • BIL was awarded for the first time the SDK Label
  • Setting of first ESG targets & definition of an ESG Dashboard
2023
  • Renewal of the INDR Certification
  • IMS Sustainability Team Award
  • Establishing the Bank’s transition plan
  • Targets setting on scope 1 and 2 of GHG emissions
2024

What the BIL group ESG strategy aims to achieve

As a major player in Luxembourg’s finance industry, BIL is firmly committed to building a sustainable and balanced economy. In 2021, the bank defined a sustainability strategy based on four key pillars:

Sustainable Governance and Strategy

BIL prioritizes integrity and transparency, ensuring that its governance practices are robust and accountable. By embodying the value of Leading, the bank sets a standard for ethical conduct and inspires trust among its stakeholders.

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Responsible and Sustainable Products

The bank is dedicated to developing financial products that not only meet the needs of clients but also promote sustainability. By ensuring these offerings are both Accessible and Reliable, BIL empowers its clients to make informed choices that positively impact the environment and society.

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Being a responsible employer

BIL fosters a workplace culture that values its employees as its greatest asset. By being Caring, the bank demonstrates empathy and support for its team members, ensuring a positive work environment that encourages personal and professional growth.

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Creating a Positive Impact

BIL actively engages with local communities and takes steps to minimize its environmental footprint. Through its commitment to Engaging with stakeholders and supporting initiatives that benefit society, the bank strives to create a lasting positive impact.

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Through these four pillars, BIL not only reinforces its dedication to sustainability but also aligns its operations with its CLEAR core values (Caring, Leading, Engaging, Accessible, and Reliable), ensuring that every action taken resonates with its mission to build a better future for all.