Reporting on performance

GRI report and non-financial report

This data- and fact-oriented GRI Report documents the performance and results that KfW Group achieved in sustainable development in 2018. It also contains KfW Group’s consolidated non-financial report in line with the CSR Directive Implementation Act.

Foreword from Dr Günther Bräunig, Chief Executive Officer of KfW Group

All of KfW’s sustainability data at a glance

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KfW in figures

40 % of the commitment volume was allocated to climate action and environmental protection
(2017: 43 %).

6569 staff are employed at KfW Group
(2017: 6,286)

75.5 billion EUR in commitments in 2018
(2017: EUR 76.5 billion)

33.2 % of management roles in KfW Group are filled by women
(2017: 31.4 %)

EUR 1.6 billion in green bonds issued by KfW (2017: EUR 3.7 billion)

Top scores in major sustainability ratings: Sustainalytics (first place among national and international promotional banks), imug (second place), ISS-oekom (prime status with C+ rating)

Strategy

Working on behalf of and as a partner of the German Federal Government and the federal states, KfW Group is committed to achieving sustainable development and lasting improvements to people’s living conditions – both in Germany and abroad. KfW’s business and sustainability strategy are closely linked. Sustainable approaches at a number of levels are increasingly impacting our strategy and day-to-day work.

By 2020, the KfW Roadmap Sustainable Finance will help us to en-hance our approach to sustainability.

Five areas of action are incorporated into KfW’s new sustainability mis-sion statement.

Top 5 in international sustainability ratings – this goal was embedded in our strategic objectives in 2018.

Corporate governance

For KfW Group, sustainability is the basis for responsible action in corporate management. From a mission statement and specific guidelines through to the operational management strategy, we use well-oiled processes that emphasise our commitment and make sure that our company’s bodies and their members act in compliance with the law.

New structure – sustainability management has been part of the group’s strategy unit since 2018

ESG and climate risks will receive more attention as part of the KfW Roadmap Sustainable Finance.

In 2018, design thinking helped KfW IPEX-Bank to create innovative ideas for the future.

Business

By promoting investment, KfW Group is committed to improving sustainability across the world with quantifiable results. We provide support for areas such as business start-ups, environment and climate protection, and protection of human rights. We perform a range of assessments and evaluations to ensure the integrity of our services.

40% of the commitment volume was allocated to climate action and environmental protection (2017: 43%).

With 56,453 applications and a commitment volume of almost EUR 1.2 billion, the Baukindergeld grant has been a huge success.

960,000 customer enquiries were dealt with by KfW’s infocentre in 2018.

Employees

Every day, KfW Group employees work hard to promote increased sustainability around the world. They challenge themselves to transform ideas into a tangible reality. Their commitment is needed wherever there is a project backed by people with a vision. Whether we’re dealing with private investments, international construction plans or global projects, we support the doers behind the visions, the experts and the courageous up-and-comers.

2018 saw KfW continue to promote inclusion.

A proportion of 27.1% of women at divisional management level means that KfW already exceeded its target rate for 2019 in 2018.

24/7 hotline – a new service for employees with family members in need of care.

Banking operations

KfW Group also assumes responsibility for the economic, ecological and social consequences of its activities in the way it structures its banking operations. Its aim is to consistently reduce its ecological footprint, primarily by running its offices in as climate-neutral a manner as possible. Sustainability also applies to its capital market activities: Income from “Green Bonds – Made by KfW” is earmarked for renewable energy.

In the future, we will save up to 1,500 tonnes of CO₂ a year by increasing energy efficiency at our Frankfurt offices.

25 key suppliers were assessed according to sustainability criteria in 2018.

KfW green bonds from 2015 and 2016 financed projects to install 4,200 MWel of green power.

Social engagement

KfW is involved in a wide array of projects as a commitment to social cohesion in Germany and around the world. We run an in-house competition to reward employees for their voluntary work. The legally independent organisation KfW Stiftung addresses major social challenges – from responsible entrepreneurship and social commitment through to protection of the environment and climate, and promotion of arts and culture.