Garanti BBVA was the only company from Turkey to be included in the Emerging Markets category (DJSI - Dow Jones Sustainability Index Emerging Markets) of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the seventh consecutive year. Integrating sustainability into all its activities and business strategy, Garanti BBVA continued its successful performance as the only bank from Turkey, with the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, in which it has participated since 2015.
The Dow Jones Sustainability Index, one of the most respected platforms that assesses the sustainability performance of companies worldwide, is an important indicator that international investors use as a guide. In DJSI's detailed analysis process, companies are rated on aspects such as business ethics, governance, financing activities and environmental and social performance within the bank, risk management, climate change measures, transparency, supply chain, human and employee rights.
Commenting on the issue, Recep Baştuğ, General Manager of Garanti BBVA, said, "At Garanti BBVA, we have been leading the industry with our sustainable development and climate change mitigation efforts for more than 15 years. We have taken very important steps to combat climate change in the last two years. Last year, we stated that we would not finance any new investments related to coal-fired power plants and mines, as we were the first bank from Turkey to commit to divesting from coal. By considering the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, we made a much stronger commitment to our industry on the path to net zero banking by joining the United Nations Net Zero Banking Alliance. As a result, we have taken steps to develop strategies to ensure that our portfolio is compatible with net-zero targets by 2050 at the latest. While we stress at every opportunity that we need to create a more sustainable world in order to take good care of our world, we are pleased to be listed in the DJSI for the seventh consecutive year. In line with our sustainability approach, we are proud to be the only bank from Turkey listed in this index representing the Turkish banking sector, propped up by our continuous efforts for more than 15 years. In light of the strong relationship we have built with our stakeholders, it is of great importance to us that our transparent and sustainable business approach is recognized by the DJSI, which is one of the most respected indices in the international arena. In addition to supporting and advising our customers with our Sustainable Finance products and services, we will continue to contribute to sustainability in every way we can by driving forward the ambitious goals we have set ourselves.”