Our impact

Sustainable financeDisclosureLendingClimateBiodiversityTreasuryGovernance

We work towards a more sustainable and prosperous region

We disclose estimated impact on all our signed loans, and report on the aggregated impact for different project categories. NIB’s investment portfolio is built on sound ESG performance. We also manage our own footprint to ensure low carbon operations.

Sustainable financing

Our mission addresses the needs of the Nordic-Baltic region to foster sustainable growth. NIB’s major impact comes from its long-term lending to projects. Before financing is granted, NIB assesses how the projects fulfil our mandate. In addition, all loan projects undergo a sustainability and ESG review. After a project is completed, our analysts follow up on the impact achieved.

To improve productivity, NIB-financed projects focus on:
technical progress and innovation;
human capital and equal economic opportunities;
improvements in infrastructure;
market efficiency and business environment.

To benefit the environment, NIB targets projects that foster:
pollution prevention;
preventive measures;
resource efficiency;
development of clean technology;
climate change mitigation.

Disclosure

Our guiding principles are accountability, clarity, efficiency, transparency, and interaction with stakeholders. NIB discloses information on all our loan projects, investments in labelled bonds, funding transactions and their impact, as well as our ESG ratings. We collect stakeholder feedback on Category A projects with potentially extensive social and environmental impacts.

Category A projects for public disclosure

Projects with potentially extensive social and environmental impacts are made publicly available for comment before the Bank decides on financing the project. Project summaries are available on this website for a period of 30 days. Only after this public consultation will NIB’s Board of Directors makes a decision on the project.

Your feedback is important to us!

Please send your comments to info@nib.int with “Category A project” in the subject field.

Impact of loans disbursed

We use a comprehensive methodology to measure, evaluate, and report the impacts generated through our financing activities. Our impact assessment process spans the entire project lifecycle, from the initial implementation through the completion. We disclose the impact of our disbursed lending (pro-rated to NIB’s share of total project costs) in our annual reports.

CO₂ reduction

Over the last five years, our lending disbursements reduced the annual CO₂ emissions by 1.1 million tonnes. This reduction equals an approximate annual carbon footprint of 142,000 people in our member countries.

Renewable energy

In this period, NIB’s financed projects added an annual 2.9 terawatt hours (TWh) of generated renewable electricity and thermal heat, which equals the energy consumption of 163,000 households.

Electricity networks

Our financed projects also contributed to 12,400 kilometers distribution and transmission networks, supporting energy market integration and enhancing grid resilience
in the Nordic-Baltic region.

Green buildings

To improve energy efficiency, we continued supporting construction and renovation projects. Combined, the total area of NIB-financed new-built and refurbished buildings across all member states was ~380,000 m2. 

Action for climate

We have committed to being a net-zero bank by 2050. This means our activities across our value chain will result in no net greenhouse gas emissions.

By 2030, NIB aims to achieve its mid-term climate targets with substantial reduction in financed emissions. In this journey, we will work together with our clients across sectors to support the Nordic-Baltic region’s climate neutrality goals.

Nature and biodiversity

We are dedicated to an active work in assessing impacts, opportunities and dependencies on nature within those sectors and operations NIB invests in. We engage with our counterparties and advocate actions to tackle biodiversity loss.

Our approach is twofold: ensuring that our clients address biodiversity issues in an adequate manner as well as understanding the aggregated risks related to NIB’s outstanding loan portfolio.

As part of our sustainability management, we make sure that the companies we invest in, and transact with, meet our expectations of sound ESG performance. We favour issuers with business models that support sustainable development. More detailed information about our sustainable treasury investments is provided on our website and the latest annual report.

CO₂ reduction

178.5 tonnes of CO₂ emissions are reduced or avoided per EUR 1 million of our treasury investments.

Renewable energy

EUR 1 million invested amount to 1.3 MW in added capacity and 215.3 MWh in energy produced.

Energy savings

In terms of energy use, every EUR 1 million invested make up for 8.2 MWh in energy savings.

Jobs creation

On average, our treasury investments enable the creation or saving of 3.6 jobs per EUR 1 million invested.

Good governance

NIB is governed by its constituent documents. The Bank’s activities are guided by policies, guidelines and principles. NIB’s governing bodies follow different rules of procedure. Codes of conduct have been adopted to further enhance best governance practices.

Transparency

Transparency and accountability are key for sustainable finance. As an international institution entrusted with public funds, NIB strives to carry out its operations with the highest integrity and in compliance with best practices and its own legal framework.

NIB as a workplace

As a workplace, NIB is built on mutual trust and respect. We promote fair and equal treatment of all our employees and aim for a balanced diversity among our staff. Our community supports inclusion and has zero tolerance on discrimination or harassment.

OUR IMPACT

Managing our carbon footprint

We measure, monitor, report, and manage our internal processes for business travel, energy performance, recycling, waste management, and responsible procurement consistently. What we cannot avoid and reduce, we compensate for.

INVESTORS

Issuing environmental bonds

NIB Environmental Bonds allow our investors to connect their investments to environmental benefits. Proceeds from these transactions are used to finance projects that support the transition to a low carbon economy.

Reports

Guiding documents

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About us

We are the international financial institution of the Nordic and Baltic countries.

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Project assessment

We assess all our financed projects for productivity gains and environmental benefits.

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Cooperation

We cooperate with other financial institutions, and participate in forums to promote sustainable finance.

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Corporate responsibility

We follow key principles to further good governance and sustainable development.

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Contact us

Luca De Lorenzo
Head of Sustainability and Mandate
+358 10 618 0297