
Long-standing Environment & Social commitments
Societe Generale began to take environmental and social concerns into account in its activities in 2000 and its commitment to a greener and more inclusive economy has grown continuously ever since.
To reinforce its CSR policy, which incorporates 12 sector and inter-sector policies, the Group has made a series of climate-protection commitments since the COP 21 Climate Conference of 2015. It is involved in a number of private-sector and industry-wide initiatives (for example as a signatory of the Equator Principles). Societe Generale also participates in United Nations programmes such as the UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP-FI) and the Global Compact. It played a pioneering role in defining and applying the Positive Impact Manifesto within the UNEP-FI. This is an innovative project that aims to establish a common language shared throughout the financial industry and among other stakeholders such as public sector institutions, companies and development agencies. It marks a key milestone that will facilitate the raising of private funds, which are needed to achieve the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations, in particular by improving transparency for investors.

UNEP Principles for Positive Impact Finance
Nearly 20 leading global banks and investors, totalling $6.6 trillion in assets, launched on 30 January 2017 the Principles for Positive Impact Finance - a first of its kind set of criteria for investments to be considered sustainable. The Principles provide financiers and investors with a global framework applicable across their different business lines, including retail and wholesale lending, corporate and investment lending and asset management.

Séverin Cabannes Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Societe Generale
The Principles for Positive Impact Finance provide an ambitious yet practical framework by which we can take the broader angle view we need to meet the deeply complex and interconnected challenges of our time.

Positive Impact Finance - The next steps
Develop a set of Positive Impact Principles that will guide providers of financial services in their efforts to increase their positive impact on the economy, society and the broader environment.
Establish a Positive Impact Incubator where new business models and financing approaches can be tested by financiers and corporates to improve the bankability of positive impact transactions.