Agricultural Bank of China

The financial institution’s highest governance body is responsible for decision-making and oversight of the sustainability strategy, while implementation is assigned to various functions, teams, or committees. Additionally, specific actions taken to align lobbying and public policy engagement with the sustainability strategy are disclosed. The financial institution transparently identifies key sectors, clients, and investees for engagement on climate issues and nature-related impacts, as well as provides an example of how products, services, and capital support societal climate adaptation and resilience. The financial institution monitors scope 1-2 emissions, and discloses the monetary amount or share of products, services, and capital provided to usually excluded groups, as well as to small- and medium-sized enterprises.

The financial institution discloses commitments to respect the ILO’s fundamental rights at work but could strengthen this with a formal group-level policy. Additionally, it has opportunities to include ILO fundamental rights risks within its risk assessment process, with a mitigation process for identified risks and disclose its methodology for determining a living wage in its operational regions. The financial institution also has the opportunity to provide a publicly available policy statement against bribery and corruption and include anti-bribery and anti-corruption clauses in contracts.

Other recommendations include disclosing third-party assurance for target reporting, linking senior executive remuneration to sustainability targets, and monitoring scope 3 emissions categories. Transparency in the methodology for footprint calculations and establishing a transition plan for operations, supply chain, and portfolio is also advised. It is recommended that the financial institution discloses its processes to avoid unintended divestment from low-income countries due to sustainability strategies. Finally, identifying social risks related to the net zero transition is recommended, along with providing examples of actions taken regarding salient human rights issues from assessments in the past three years.

This scorecard refers to information in English which was publicly available by July 15 2024. AuM and Total assets are stated in USD for comparability and have been calculated based on reported local currency values multiplied by applicable IMF currency converter values.