Handelsbanken becomes the first bank to join the Exponential Roadmap Initiative

Handelsbanken is proud to announce that it is the first bank to join the Exponential Roadmap Initiative. This aligns with our commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2040 and supporting our customers and the companies we invest in on their journey towards meeting the Paris Agreement. The Exponential Roadmap Initiative unites companies and innovators globally who are working to accelerate the transition to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

The financial sector's role in climate action

At Handelsbanken, a long-term perspective and sense of responsibility are integral to our corporate culture. For us, that means engaging with local communities, conducting responsible lending, combating money laundering and corruption, and contributing to enhancing public financial literacy. Contributing to long-term welfare and stability is vital to us, which is why we consider climate action important for our customers, for society, and, therefore, for Handelsbanken. We support this through green loans, enabling companies and individuals to finance measures that reduce their energy consumption and climate impact. Additionally, we offer services such as Energikollen and H?llbarhetskollen to assist customers in their climate efforts with data, calculations, and advice. Our collaboration with the Exponential Roadmap presents opportunities to further enhance our support for customers.

Johan Falk, CEO and Co-founder, Exponential Roadmap Initiative:

“Handelsbanken has the opportunity to lead the way on accelerating the real estate value chain towards net zero through transition funding and accelerating the funding for climate solutions, which is required for innovation and breakthroughs in this sector. Moreover, Handelsbanken is setting an example for other banks as it does not give ?new loans for companies engaging in expanded extraction of fossil fuel which provides an example for other banks.”

Catharina Belfrage Sahlstrand, Head of Sustainability and Climate action at Handelsbanken, adds: "Handelsbanken's climate target, net zero emissions by 2040, aims to help our customers and the companies we invest in – and ultimately ourselves – to remain resilient in the future. The path to net zero emissions is neither straight ?nor easy and requires a variety of initiatives and activities where financing and investments for our customers are key, as well as advisory services, detailed in our Climate Transition Plan. We also see immense value in partnerships, and through our membership in the Exponential Roadmap, we have the opportunity to both learn from and contribute to a network of actors dedicated to halving emissions by 2030 and achieving global net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest."

Supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Climate Efforts

Before joining the Exponential Roadmap, Handelsbanken contributed to the 'Greening Cash Action Guide,' a practical guide for companies seeking to manage emissions indirectly financed by corporate cash held in banks. We look forward to ongoing collaboration on this and other initiatives, such as the Climate Solutions Roadmap and the newly launched SME Climate Hub Nordics. This platform provides tools for small and medium-sized enterprises in the Nordic region to undertake necessary climate actions. The initiative is a partnership between the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, the We Mean Business Coalition, and the UN Race to Zero campaign. Through this membership, Handelsbanken continues to strengthen its commitment to sustainability and contribute to a more climate-positive economy.