This is how the Savings Bank of Skåne continues its work on climate change
Sparbanken Skåne works for a more sustainable Skåne and as a bank has great opportunities to influence the work on climate change for a sustainable future. Here, Sustainability Manager Patricia Håkansson talks about what this work looks like.
Sparbanken Skåne has recently released the report Our Future (in collaboration with the Øresund Institute) on the climate transition in Skåne and the Öresund region. Why?
- For us as a bank, it is absolutely crucial to understand the transition, its mechanisms and the needs that will come in the future. Of course, we will share this with anyone who is interested. With the series of reports, we want to contribute to concrete facts and broader knowledge about sustainability work and climate work. It is only together that society can carry out the necessary transformation.
Which of the findings in the report do you find particularly interesting?
- It is clear that climate emissions are declining at a good pace, but it is also clear that more is needed to achieve the targets set. The report shows the great complexity of the transition. Take agriculture as an example. The industry needs to reduce emissions, but it also supplies us with food and makes other vital contributions to the ecosystem. Voices are now being raised for Sweden to become more self-sufficient in food as part of our crisis preparedness, but at the same time competition for land use is increasing. Many different demands are made at the same time, which is always a challenge to deal with.
How do you see the possibilities of the Savings Bank to influence the climate transition in Skåne? Is there any way to support companies in sustainability and, for example, renewable energy production?
- As a bank, we have a central role in the economic cycle that exists in society. How we manage investments, money and loans has a big impact on the direction that development takes. Simply put, we need to promote climate-smart projects and in this way we can contribute to a faster transition. In practice, this could mean lower interest rates on, for example, photovoltaic loans.
Are there any climate-smart projects in Skåne that the bank favors and that you can mention?
- As a bank, we are active in many different types of projects. In general, we do not enter into anything without first having taken a position on the sustainability aspects. For example, on the energy side, we are involved in Sparbanken Skånes Solcellspark in Sjöbo, one of the country's largest photovoltaic parks. Then, in addition to our banking services, we are also active in more general social ventures. One of the unique opportunities we have as a savings bank, is that our profits can stay here locally and come in handy in different parts of Skåne. For example, we are working together with Kraftringen to densify the charging infrastructure for electric cars in the region.
In the report, you note that it is the consumers who can make the big difference. Is there any way for the bank to encourage consumers, perhaps consumers in the form of your customers?
- We want to help people make thoughtful and sustainable decisions about their financial choices. This also includes climate impact and other sustainability aspects. When it comes to saving, for example, we are careful to present sustainable options for saving, but in the end it is the customer who has to make their own choice. It is important that we are transparent and provide the right information and can also show how the customer can benefit from making a sustainable choice.