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Our contribution to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015 form a core element of the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. As the SDGs are based on a participatory process, responsibility for achieving them is shared among states, the private sector, the scientific community and civil society. Since their introduction, we have been pursuing activities designed to contribute to the realization of the SDGs in our role as a global financial institution. The following table provides an overview on our wide-ranging activities relating to selected objectives of most relevance to Credit Suisse, as also confirmed by stakeholder interactions. Furthermore, Credit Suisse published six case studies providing details on our SDG implementation efforts for selected SDGs, see: credit-suisse.com/sdg

SDG
Goal 4: Quality education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Our contribution

  • We support financial education programs for girls through our Financial Education Initiative in Brazil, China, Sri Lanka and Tanzania
  • We promote financial education and future skills through our respective regional programs
  • We offer our clients the opportunity to make a contribution to SDG4 through our higher education structured notes solutions
  • We invest in young talent as an employer by providing attractive opportunities for young professionals and graduates
Goal 5: Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Our contribution

  • We foster diversity and inclusion within our organization
  • We take measures to increase the proportion of women in management positions within our organization
  • We support the development of new products and services focusing on gender diversity
  • We address female empowerment across the globe through our Corporate Citizenship programs, such as our Financial Inclusion and Education Initiatives
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Our contribution

  • We provide renewable energy financing
  • We support our clients' energy transition toward low-carbon operations, technologies and services
  • We use climate-friendly energy sources for our business premises and have buildings certified according to energy efficiency standards
  • We run an ISO 14001-certified environmental management system
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Our contribution

  • We offer progressive working conditions for our employees
  • We support economic growth and entrepreneurship through our role as a lender and financial intermediary
  • We are an integral part of the economy and society in our role as an employer, client, contractual partner and taxpayer
  • We help to strengthen local economies in developing countries and emerging markets through our activities in the area of financial inclusion
Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

Our contribution

  • We supply risk capital to support growth and innovation, including through Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital AG in Switzerland
  • We help to strengthen local economies in developing countries and emerging markets through our activities in the area of financial inclusion
  • We provide renewable energy financing
  • We focus on sustainability risk management and have sector-specific policies and guidelines in place
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Our contribution

  • We invest in sustainable real estate
  • We are committed to continuously improving the ESG performance (environmental, social and governance performance), energy efficiency and carbon footprint of our real estate investment portfolio
Goal 13: Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Our contribution

  • We are committed to develop science-based targets in 2021 and 2022 for achieving net zero emissions from our operations, supply chain and financing activities no later than 2050
  • We have a Group-wide Climate Risk Strategy program in place
  • We focus on sustainability risk management and have sector-specific policies and guidelines in place
  • We are addressing the recommendations of the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
  • We offer a range of green finance products and services for our clients
  • We are greenhouse gas neutral across all our operations globally
  • We are a signatory to the Poseidon Principles
Goal 14: Life below water

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Our contribution

  • We offer sustainable and impact products targeting ocean conservation
  • We are a member of the advisory network for the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy
Goal 15: Life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Our contribution

  • We are active in the area of conservation finance
  • We have an ongoing advisory role to the Zoological Society of London's Sustainability Policy Transparency Toolkit (SPOTT)
  • We consider biodiversity-related issues in our sustainability risk management process and have sector-specific policies and guidelines in place