KCB Group screened loans worth Ksh615 billion for environmental and social risks in 2023 as the bank races to support projects with positive environmental impacts. This constitutes half of the group’s loan book as at the end of last year, cementing KCB’s commitment to sustainable finance.
Additionally, KCB approved green loans worth Ksh21.4 billion, representing 15.5% of the total loan portfolio in 2023. The green loans disbursed were directed towards projects in e-mobility, climate change adaptation and mitigation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.
The details are contained in the 2023 KCB Group Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) and Sustainability Report launched on Tuesday, highlighting the Group’s progress towards its sustainability commitment.
KCB has become the first financial institution in Africa to assure its report through external auditors, ushering in a new era of transparency and ESG disclosures.
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“We are increasing focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility,” KCB Group CEO, Mr Paul Russo, said. “This report confirms that our key performance indicators and metrics accurately reflect the bank’s performance, enhancing transparency and accountability.”
Mr Russon said by aligning business practices with sustainability principles, financial institutions can drive long-term value creation, enhance their reputation, and mitigate risks associated with environmental and social challenges.
KCB has also expanded its focus to encompass 14 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), enhancing its efforts to tackle a wide array of global challenges. A notable initiative includes the bank’s calculation of its financed emissions for 2023, including Scope 3 emissions, by concentrating on its primary carbon-intensive sectors.
“In 2023, we made a bold commitment to address the climate crisis by allocating resources to climate action projects, aiming to create a tangible impact on our environment and communities. For financial institutions, embracing sustainability and ESG principles is not merely a moral obligation but a strategic imperative,” Mr Russo added.
Carbon footprint
KCB’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint is further illustrated by its ambitious plans to offset emissions, which include planting more than 300,000 trees in Kenya in 2023, with a target of reaching 1.2 million trees by the end of 2024. Furthermore, the bank achieved an 11.14% reduction in carbon footprint intensity per staff member and increased its installation of LED lighting by 50% to optimize resource usage.
“As we confront the pressing challenges of climate change, it is crucial that we all play our part. KCB’s investments in green finance, reforestation, and sustainable development demonstrate that financial institutions can lead this effort,” said Mr Aden Duale, Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry during the launch.
The group’s socio-economic initiatives underscore the vital role of ESG factors in fostering inclusive growth. In 2023, the bank supported 2,877 youth through entrepreneurship incubations under the 2jiajiri programme, creating 13,352 direct jobs.
Additionally, KCB extended Ksh115 billion in loans to women-owned businesses, empowering female entrepreneurs and advancing gender equality. The bank also disbursed Ksh100 billion in loans to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which are essential drivers of economic development in the region.
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