Supporting clients in the transition

The Group has set the ambition of reaching approximately EUR 500 billion in cumulative contribution to sustainable finance between 2024 and 2030, with approximately 80% devoted to environmental themes. This contribution aims to direct part of financial flows toward activities contributing to the decarbonization of the highest-emitting sectors, in line with the horizon chosen by the Bank to define the alignment targets for its credit portfolios (learn more on the Strategy page).

The Group participates in the financing of projects related to the energy transition across the entire electricity production value chain: renewable energy production, transmission infrastructure, storage solutions, and electrification systems. The transactions carried out illustrate its ability to structure complex financing and support the deployment of technologies at scale, particularly in power grids and battery infrastructure.

The examples below illustrate the diversity of the solutions financed, without prejudging all of the Group’s activities: 

• participation in the financing of battery energy storage projects, aimed at strengthening the stability of power grids,
• support for the development of biomethane platforms in Europe.

Preparing for the future by supporting tomorrow’s champions and forging partnerships

The Group is also deploying an envelope of EUR 1 billion to support new players, innovative technologies and Nature-Based Solutions contributing in particular to the ecological transition. The Group works with innovative companies, including small and mid caps in the cleantech sector.

At the same time, partnerships are being established with international financial institutions, such as the European Investment Bank (EIB) or International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Some initiatives benefit from risk-sharing or guarantee mechanisms, making it possible to support projects with specifiac profiles (innovation, maturity, capital intensity) while providing a response to the deficit faced by emerging clean technology industrial players, which often face long production and sales cycles and struggle to access sufficient working capital financing on competitive terms, thereby limiting their growth potential.

Among the main initiatives: 

• collaboration aimed at supporting investment in renewable energies, particularly in wind power, 
• financing schemes dedicated to high-growth innovative companies in clean technologies, 
• international cooperation agreements to support the financing of sustainable projects in emerging economies.

The amounts announced in this framework correspond to financing capacities or maximum envelopes, whose mobilization depends on the transactions actually carried out.

Supporting technological and industrial developments related to the ecological transition

Low-carbon mobility is an important area of development, with financing dedicated to rail infrastructure, sustainable public transport solutions and the deployment of electric charging networks, contributing to the transformation of a high-carbon-impact sector. The Group thus supports structuring initiatives aimed at transforming industrial processes, particularly in low-carbon steel or alternative fuels, contributing to the emergence of new industrial sectors.

The examples below illustrate the diversity of the solutions financed, without prejudging all of the Group’s activities:

• in 2026, Societe Generale supported Zetra, a young pioneering French player in heavy electric mobility, to finance a portfolio of charging stations dedicated to heavy-duty trucks (creation of a network of 80 charging stations serving carriers and shippers of all sizes). This is the first non-recourse project financing in Europe specifically dedicated to electric charging stations for heavy-duty trucks;
• its subsidiary Ayvens develops solutions aimed at promoting the adoption of low-emission vehicles, particularly through adapted financing schemes.

These developments are part of progressive trajectories, whose terms and indicators are specified in dedicated publications.

Learn more about the ESG solutions of Global Banking and Investor Solutions

In France, SG French Retail Network also offers concrete solutions and advice to support all clients in the ecological transition, including for individual clients financing solutions and a scheme to help clients reduce their energy bills and the carbon impact of real estate assets with partner Hello Watt.

Learn more about the SG offer: CSR and sustainable development at SG

The examples presented illustrate certain transactions carried out by the Group. They do not reflect all of its activities or portfolios. The environmental and social impacts of the financed projects depend on many factors specific to each transaction.