Read more about our signatories, memberships, and accreditations.
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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
As signatories of the UN Principles for Responsible Banking, our ambition is to align our strategy with the 2015 Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SDG integration - our progress so far
Areas of focus strive for positive impact
Our Climate, Learning and Enterprise ambitions are aligned to seven UN SDGs where we believe we can make a positive contribution (1).
For more detail please see page 26 of our 2022 Annual Report and Accounts (PDF 6.3MB).
(1) The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 non-legally binding interlinked global goals set forth by the UN for countries and governments. These are included only as indicative guidance for the proposed aim of each area of focus and NatWest Group makes no representation, warranty or assurance of any kind, express or implied, or takes no responsibility or liability as to whether the areas of focus further the objective or achieves the purpose of the indicated SDG.
Eligibility portfolio of Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds includes SDGs
NatWest Group updated its Green, Social and Sustainability (GSS) Bond Framework in December 2022, under which it issues GSS bonds to institutional investors. The expanded framework includes a comprehensive range of eligible green and social assets that could be used in conjunction with a GSS bond issuance. (2)
(2)The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 non-legally binding interlinked global goals set forth by the UN for countries and governments. These are included only as indicative guidance for the proposed aim of each “Green Asset Definition” and NatWest Group makes no representation, warranty, or assurance of any kind, express or implied, or takes no responsibility or liability as to whether the funding or financing made or reported under a specified Green Asset Definition furthers the objective or achieves the purpose of the indicated SDG.
Eligibility criteria of our climate and sustainable funding and finance supports SDGs
In December 2022 NatWest Group published its revised climate and sustainable funding and finance inclusion criteria (CSFFI criteria) (PDF 284KB), which will be used from 1 January 2023. (3)
(3)The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of non-legally binding 17 interlinked global goals set forth by the UN for countries and governments. These are included only as indicative guidance as for the proposed aim of each “Criteria Category” and NatWest Group makes no representation, warranty or assurance of any kind, express or implied, or takes no responsibility or liability as to whether the funding or financing made or reported under a specified Criteria Category furthers the objective or achieves the purpose of the indicated SDG.
SDGs in our Modern Slavery and Human Rights Position Statements and our Supplier Charter
At NatWest Group, we understand that businesses have an important role to play in promoting respect for human rights and we continue to align our approach to internationally recognised human rights standards including the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). We have established a policy framework to respect and promote human rights with our customers, our colleagues and our suppliers. These are reflected in our Human Rights Position Statement (PDF 1.3MB) which was reviewed and updated in 2022.
NatWest Group recognises its obligation to comply with all appropriate legislation, including the UK Modern Slavery Act. We publish an annual statement which sets out the steps that we are taking to identify and address modern slavery and human trafficking within our own operation and throughout our value chain.
For further information please see our Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement (PDF 673KB).
Our Supplier Charter (PDF 195KB) sets out our aims and expectations for ethical business conduct, human rights, environmental sustainability, diversity and inclusion, the Living Wage and prompt payment.
Working with others to further embed SDGs
UN Principles for Responsible Banking
We were founding signatories of the UN Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) in 2019 and our ambition is to align our strategy with the 2015 Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full details of our third self-assessment can be found in the ESG Frameworks Appendix.
UN Global Compact UK Network
During 2022 we continued our participation in the UN Global Compact, publishing our annual Communication on Progress. We continued our participation in the Making Global Goals Local Working Group and the Modern Slavery Working Group.
SDGs in our reporting
In addition to highlighting activity related to the SDGs aligned to our focus areas, case studies included throughout our 2022 reporting suite reference positive impacts mapped against other SDGs.
2022 Annual Report and Accounts (PDF 8.3MB),
2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Disclosures Report (PDF 9.6MB)
Read more about how our purpose drives us and defines us, and guides all of our decision-making as we balance the evolving needs and expectations of our stakeholders.
Read more about our ambition to be a leading bank in the UK in helping to address the climate challenge.