To learn more about our policies you can contact us at:
ESG@iccrea.bcc.it

The BCC Iccrea Group sees sustainability as an opportunity to reaffirm the principles and values of credit cooperation by highlighting the attention that BCCs dedicate to their local communities, people and economies, respecting the environment and pursuing Article 2 of the BCC Articles of Association.

The governance of sustainability

The Group has a system of sustainability governance – as the integration of the ESG factors in its governance, strategies and operational and control processes – which rests on precise centres of responsibility. To improve the involvement of corporate bodies and business areas, taking into primary account the objective of creating and distributing value for all stakeholders.

The Board of Directors defines the Group's sustainability guidelines and strategies, paying particular attention to the objectives of sustainable finance and the integration of environmental, social and governance factors into corporate decision-making processes. It is responsible for integrating ESG-related objectives into the business plan, operational processes, risk management and remuneration policies.

The Sustainability Plan, the Policies and the Group's guidelines relating to sustainability are approved by the Board of Directors, subject to review by the ESG Committee and the other internal board committees for the matters within their purviews.

Moreover, the Board of Directors evaluates and approves the Sustainability Reporting which highlights the company's ESG goals, also as a result of the stakeholder engagement process and the identification of the “material topics”.

The actions of the Board of Directors are therefore focused on strategy, on regulatory compliance and risk management, with the aim of launching initiatives that, in line with the historic support provided to local communities by the Cooperative Credit Banks, can facilitate and promote a sustainable transition.

The ESG Committee

The ESG Committee – established in 2022 –  evaluates and formulates opinions to the Board of Directors with reference to sustainability and cooperative identity.

Since its establishment, t​he ESG Committee has contributed to further strengthening the constant monitoring of sustainability issues and to increasing the level of attention paid to these issues. In performing its activities, including the discussion and analysis of the various issues connected to ESG factors, the Committee has acquired a holistic vision of the various initiatives to promote the integration of ESG factors into corporate processes, as well as a comprehensive understanding of the aspects relating to the assessment of risks associated with these issues.

The ESG Committee deals with mainly the following areas:

  • sustainability initiatives, objectives, and targets, developing proposals to integrate environmental, social, and governance issues into the Group's Strategic Plan, including monitoring their implementation​​;
  • the Group's values and ethical approach;
  • reporting on ESG information;
  • operations relating to bond issues under the “Green, Social and Sustainability Bond Framework” and periodic reporting (Impact Reporting);
  • ESG positioning of the Group, also in respect of participation in initiatives and indexes;

The Committee also promotes training activities directed at disseminating a sustainability culture within the company bodies and among employees. It conducts a preliminary analysis of in-house ESG training programs, suggesting ways in which these programs can ensure an adequate, complete and structured evolution towards a company sustainability culture at all Group levels. 

The Sustainability Function

The Sustainability Steering unit oversees, at Group level, the processes of defining and monitoring sustainability strategies and integrating ESG factors into business processes, ensuring coordination of ESG project initiatives, also including the regulatory requirements.

It contributes to the strategic planning process by defining the macro ESG strategy in coordination with other organisational units and contributes to the definition of periodic reports to senior management in the ESG area.

In addition, it is responsible for preparing external communications and voluntary disclosures on sustainability and supports the sustainability reporting process according to the CSRD regulation, also defining the Group relevant topics.

In order to fulfill the above functions, the Unit is articulated in Sustainability Business Steering and Social Unit and Sustainability Reporting and Disclosure Unit.​

The ESG Ambassador

The role of ESG Ambassador established by the Sustainability Policy represents the lead person for ESG issues within each Parent Company Area and each Group company.

The ESG Ambassador acts as a coordinator of the ESG initiatives and the reporting process for each Function/company and liaising with the Parent Company Sustainability Function.

Charters of Commitments


The BCC Iccrea Group has confirmed its mission with the Charter of Commitments on the Environment and Climate Change and the Charter of Commitments on Human Rights, also renewing its concrete, responsible commitment to environmental, social and human rights issues in order to ensure the pursuit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out in the 2030 Agenda

In line with the Sustainability Plan, the Charters of Commitments  outline a positive sustainability evolution starting from the Group's common values and principles, fundamental to ensure the historical support offered to local communities by BCCs over the years, and to achieve objectives in compliance with the current regulatory framework.

Indeed, the Charter of Commitments on Environment and Climate​ Change defines the Group's commitment to direct and indirect environmental impacts through the development of a management process and the promotion of constructive actions and behaviors – especially among employees, customers, suppliers of BCCs and perimeter companies – and the dissemination of an environmental culture within its spheres of influence.

Therefore, the Charter identifies guidelines aimed at reducing direct environmental impacts (resulting from company activities that determine the consumption of resources, waste production and emissions of harmful substances) and indirect environmental impacts (generated by the behavior of third parties, as well as by the company as a supplier of goods and services).​

The Charter of Commitments on Human Rights enshrines the Group's commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, both internally – thanks to an effective integration of aspects relating to these rights in its various strategies and operations – and with counterparts (shareholders, customers, suppliers), encouraging virtuous behavior along the entire value chain.

The Group's Sustainability Policies

Today, sustainability is a compulsory choice for companies and financial institutions. This isn’t a temporary approach, but rather a principle that will guide future growth and economic and social development.

In this new context, the BCC Iccrea Group – which has always been committed to promoting the sustainable development of local communities – considers it a priority to make this commitment concrete also through policies aimed at integrating sustainability into its strategies, business model, operational procedures and controls, with particular reference to environmental aspects and climate change, both in relation to its own operations and along the value chain.

Current policies include:

  • The Group Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy, aimed at promoting a corporate culture free from all forms of discrimination, promoting and protecting diversity and equal opportunities in the workplace, measuring progress and results through the establishment of specific KPIs in this regard;
    See the extract from the Group Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy
  • The Group Policy on Credit Granting and Closing updated in 2024 to include the assessment of creditworthiness in light of ESG factors. The Policy aims to establish the key principles relating to the stages of the credit granting and finalisation process, ensuring informed credit risk assumption and guaranteeing an adequate level of credit portfolio quality in line with the Group's risk objectives​.
  • Risk Management Policies. As part of the definition/update of the internal set of regulations concerning the management of climate and environmental risks, the Group defined its policy on the Identification and Assessment of Climate and Environmental Risks and updated the Operational Risk Self Assessment and Loss Data Collection policies.
  • The Group Whistleblower Policy, establishes the general principles, roles and responsibilities related to the Internal Whistleblowing System, in accordance with current external regulations. The policy describes the internal reporting procedure adopted by the Group, clarifying how reports can be made and the measures taken to ensure the confidentiality of both the personal data of the reporter and the alleged perpetrator of the violation. In addition, the Policy takes into account the ongoing external regulatory developments, providing for periodic updates and additions to ensure continued compliance.
  • The Car and Travel Policy, through which the Group is committed to promoting sustainable corporate mobility and optimising efficiency in energy resource management. Through its ‘green’ Car List and Travel Policy, the Group has defined a structured approach to reducing the climate impact of transport and mobility activities. The Car Policy establishes the general principles relating to the allocation, use and management of the Group's car fleet, known as Fleet Management. This policy covers both cars assigned to employees for mixed use and cars shared in a ‘pool’ for the service needs of the company's facilities. The Travel Policy regulates the travel of the Parent Company's and SPDs' personnel, with particular attention to cost containment and compliance with ESG criteria;
  • the Group's Sustainability Policy, Product Management Policy and Remuneration and Incentive Policy, for which please see the ‘sustainable finance’ page in this section of the website.

    ​
    ​
    ​

    ​
    ​
    ​
    ​
    ​