Unicaja has obtained an A rating in the sustainability rating awarded by the MSCI agency, which identifies environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) risks and opportunities.
The agency has upgraded Unicaja's rating in its 2024 review from BBB to A, based on the improvement of its governance model, as well as progress in the incorporation of ESG risks in day-to-day management and oversight.
In addition, MSCI has highlighted the improvement in the adoption of measures to mitigate cybersecurity-related risks.
The challenge of sustainability, in all its facets, is assumed by Unicaja as an opportunity for development and improvement in its daily management. To this end, the entity is working on a renewed offering of products and services and on the reduction of its carbon footprint, while promoting a culture of sustainability and the identification and management of climate and environmental risk.
Sustainable management
For Unicaja, the appropriate management of ESG risks is part of a global work program to analyze financial and non-financial, marketing and good governance impacts, with the aim of positioning itself as an entity committed to sustainability.
In fact, the bank has a Sustainability Policy, revised in April 2024, which allows it to respond to its commitment to achieving the Paris Climate Agreement, the Global Compact Principles, 2030 Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as other initiatives to which it has adhered in response to its strategic positioning.
In this regard, the bank joined the Collective Commitment for Climate Action, promoted by the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 25), as well as the UN Principles for Responsible Banking (PBR), a unique global framework to accelerate the transition to a sustainable financial industry.
ESG products
The range of ESG financing products offered by Unicaja includes, among others, the Oxígeno Mortgage; the Ecomobility Loan for Individual Customers; the loan for energy restoration for communities of property owners, or loans to improve energy efficiency with the Efficient Home Loan or the Agricultural Ecosustainability Loan.
It also markets a sustainable pension plan, which invests in companies with environmental, social and governance impact, as well as investment funds of the same nature.
In this regard, the entity recently launched the issue of a green bond, in senior preferred format. In total, Unicaja has issued, since 2022, four bonds for the financing of sustainable assets, for a total amount of 1,600 million euros.