Banca Popolare di Sondrio is pleased to announce the publication of its new Green, Social and Sustainability Bond Framework (GSS Bond Framework). This tool confirms the Bank's commitment to Sustainability issues, reinforcing its strategy of supporting a low carbon economy through a fair and sustainable transition and - with this update - increasing focus on social inclusion.
The Framework is developed in accordance with the Green Bond Principles, the Social Bond Principles and the Sustainability Bond Guidelines of the International Capital Market Association (ICMA). The document defines the criteria for identifying, selecting, monitoring and reporting on projects eligible to be financed through the issuance of Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds and identifies thirteen categories of financing considered eligible, eight Green and five Social, associated in total with ten of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, it describes the Bank's overall sustainability strategy and the ICMA Green and Social Bonds Principles proceeds’ management system (use of proceeds, project selection and evaluation, proceeds management and reporting).
In support of the Framework, Banca Popolare di Sondrio obtained the certification (so-called second party opinion - SPO) by Sustainalytics, an authoritative and recognised institution in the field of ESG assessments, which confirmed the alignment with the highest international standards and the robustness and transparency of the document.
The GSS Bond Framework and its attestation can be found in the Financial Operations section of the institutional website, EMTN Programme section, as well as on the Sustainability page, where further information and documents related to our ESG strategy are also available.