Turning ideas into reality

Fields of action

The fields of action reflect our sustainability potential and show the positive impact of our measures in terms of sustainability. Here, we see the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a guiding framework to ensure that our sustainability targets make a direct contribution to sustainable development.

What we do

The criteria we apply to our real estate projects when making investment decisions comprise both strict risk and return considerations as well as social and environmental aspects. Investments in the private real estate portfolios – both in new buildings and renovation measures – ensure an increase in energy efficiency.

The rejection criteria for DZ BANK Group lending apply
To date, we have examined over 2,000 properties in the commercial customer portfolio and developed a procedure for further classification.
We have installed a bank-wide understanding of sustainable real estate and developed a methodology for identifying green properties.
For the Corporate Customers business area, the new business process was expanded to include sustainability data and sustainability classification.

Sustainable Banking

Real estate is responsible for 30-40 percent of CO₂ emissions in Germany. As a leading real estate bank in Germany, we have the opportunity to positively influence the CO₂ emissions of real estate through our real estate financing portfolio. We thus contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of German real estate and contribute to the 1.5° compatibility as well as to SDG 13 "Action on Climate Change".

Employee Matters

Satisfied, motivated and well-trained employees form the basis for sustainable corporate development. For us, it is therefore essential to maintain the physical and mental working capacity of our employees into old age.

We put a premium to good working conditions. For example, we pay attention to ergonomic workplaces and health protection during computer work. We also attach great importance to training and development measures, programs to promote young talent, occupational health management, flexible working time arrangements, and diversity and equal opportunities.

DZ HYP Nachhaltigkeit Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter

Our goal

In the area of diversity and equal opportunities, we have set ourselves the goal of achieving 25 percent women at both first and second level management by 31 October 2025.

As part of appropriate employer measures, we also want to further expand employee loyalty and promote modern and agile working. The aim is to increase efficiency and flexibility, promote innovation and enhance employer attractiveness.

Social Commitment

The cooperative basic values of aiding empowerment, solidarity as well as sustainable and responsible conduct are cornerstones of DZ HYP’s social commitment. As an active member of society, we are aware that the decisions we make significantly influence the environment in which we move, live and work. That is why we join our employees to dedicate ourselves to the community in which we live and move, and make our own contribution to the work they do together, supporting a large number of social projects and institutions, professionallyoriented nonprofit organisations, as well as the social involvement of the Cooperative Financial Network. Moreover, DZ HYP has a positive impact on economic and social development at its locations – as an employer and contractor.

DZ HYP Nachhaltigkeit Gesellschaftliche Verantwortung

Here is a selection of our social, cultural and scientific commitment:

Active Citizenship Association (Aktive Bürgerschaft)
CLUB OF ROME’s German charter / CLUB OF ROME schools network
"Hanseatischen Börsenkreis der Universität zu Hamburg e.V."
Schools and Business Partnership” project launched by a chamber of commerce and industry in Münster
"Don’t leave school without the prospect of a job” project ru
"Dunkelziffer e.V." association in Hamburg
„liebenswert – lebenswert e.V" association
„KINDER ZUKUNFT FÖRDERN e.V.“ association
Lebenshilfe Stuttgart e.V.
Hannoversche Volksbank Foundation
Volksbank RheinAhrEifel Civic Foundation

What we have achieved so far

The budget for donations and sponsoring activities was €346,677 in 2021 (2020: €430,233). Of this amount, €189,650 (2020: €100,000) was dedicated to donations for scientific, cultural and social causes.

Ecological Responsibility

Conserving an intact and stable environment influences our business activities as well. Our environmental management focuses on optimising the use of energy and resources at the Bank, and on using renewable energy sources to consistently reduce our operational carbon footprint. We also seek to reduce mobility related emissions, such as those resulting from business travel. Looking at environmental issues in the supply chain of products and services is another part of our sustainable corporate policy.

What we promise

In a joint climate strategy, the eleven companies of DZ BANK Group committed to reducing their aggregated CO2 emissions by at least 80 per cent by the year 2050. This is how we intend to support the Federal German Government’s Climate Action Plan and the UN’s Paris Agreement.

Initially, the Group companies had committed to saving at least 80 percent of their aggregated CO2 emissions by 2050. As part of the strategic further development of the sustainability profile, participating Group companies have now set themselves more ambitious targets to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All institutes commit to being climate neutral by 2045 at the latest - with 65 percent of greenhouse gases already to be saved by 2030.

In fact, DZ BANK Group has already reduced its CO2 emissions by 50.7 per cent, (2018: 47.3 per cent) based on 2009 as a reference year. Main drivers for this reduction so far have been a switch to using energy from renewable sources, as well as efficiency enhancements in heat generation and distribution.