Actor of influence
The Crédit Agricole SA Group, through a strong CSR policy, believes in its power of influence to initiate a just transition, at all levels. This is reflected on the one hand, by the desire to guide its clients towards sustainable economic models, and on the other hand, through an ESG strategy applied to investments.
Crédit Agricole: an influential player for a more inclusive and less carbon-intensive economy
For the transition to be fair, it must succeed at three levels: energy, social and regional. The climate challenge is therefore more than environmental, it is also local and human. The success of the energy transition requires massive investments that are socially acceptable. The problem we have to solve is to provide access to clean energy for all.
Beyond supporting our customers towards the energy transition, the Crédit Agricole Group wants to guide them towards sustainable economic models. All companies, whatever their sector of activity, must adapt: energy of course, transport with issues of greenhouse gas emissions but also air pollution, 'agro-food industry with issues of sourcing, biodiversity, animal welfare and health impacts, telecommunications, which use a lot of energy and rare earths, construction, etc.
The French agricultural sector, with more than eight farmers out of 10 clients of the Regional Banks, deserves our full attention. In view of the economic and social situation of a large number of operators on the one hand, and societal expectations in favor of a more sustainable production model on the other hand, it is our responsibility to support them, in support of public policies adapted to the challenges of the sectors, towards viable and more ecological economic models.
Investors, particularly institutional investors, determine, through their investment choices, the direction of the economy and the differentiated development of business sectors. The development of responsible investment, particularly through the ESG approach, is a powerful lever for orienting the economy towards a model of sustainable development. Systemic and multicriteria, the approach covers most of the major social and environmental issues that cross our societies. Responsible investment responds to a growing demand from investors who are driving the growth of this market today.
At the same time, more and more individuals are interested in this type of support, anxious to direct their savings in support of sustainable economic activities. And in this area, public labels should make these media more legible. The development of ESG is part of the Group's “Ambitions 2022” strategic plan and reflects its desire to orient its portfolios towards a sustainable economy. The ambition of the Crédit Agricole Group is to become the leading European player in responsible investment.
For several years, the Group has integrated ESG criteria into investment decisions and has promoted responsible finance to its clients. Its ESG ambition is based on the following objectives:
- For Amundi, apply the ESG policy to 100% of open-ended funds managed by Amundi under active management and to voting decisions in 2021;
- For Crédit Agricole Assurances, generalize the inclusion of ESG criteria in investments and financing by 2022.
At the same time, Crédit Agricole S.A. is committed to investing, by 2022, € 6 billion of its liquidity portfolio in green, social and sustainability bonds.
Declaration of Extra-Financial Performance
Sustainability policy and negative impacts
