Supporting customers in their climate and sustainability journeys is a key priority for Danske Bank as part of its purpose of ‘helping customers, colleagues and society thrive’. 

What Danske Bank did

To help prepare businesses for the low-carbon economy, Danske Bank chose to focus its initial efforts on building awareness and providing education and skills among its customers, to assist in their climate journeys.  

Having been involved in the development of the Climate Action Programme with responsible business network Business in the Community Northern Ireland (BITC) and following a successful initial pilot in 2021, the Programme was the perfect way for Danske to deliver that support and also accelerate its own climate action ambitions.  

The Bank’s ambition was to support around 50 customers to complete the Programme across several cohorts during the year. With the benefit of its network of Corporate & Business Banking Relationship Managers, Danske was able to proactively contact customers to share information about the programme including the content, structure, benefits, and commitment expected.  

The cohort approach to the programme allowed Dankse to build a pipeline of interested participants and also provided the opportunity to take a sector specific approach. This was an approach which benefited Danske’s social housing customers who were able to participate in the programme collectively. 

Impacts and Outcomes

• Through its proactive approach Danske was able to engage 55 customers in the Programme, who in turn have begun the process of developing, enhancing or accelerating their climate journeys. 
• The Programme also provided an opportunity for Danske’s Corporate & Business Relationship Managers to develop their climate and sustainability awareness and skills, with all completing a version of the Carbon Literacy module.