Our approach to sustainability
Central to the Group's corporate purpose, the Caisse des Dépôts Group's sustainability policy aims to accelerate its contribution to national and international climate, biodiversity and social and regional cohesion objectives, ensure the Group operates with a positive environmental and social impact, reduce its negative impacts, and manage the risks associated with the Group's activities.
A longstanding commitment
A pioneer in responsible investment, Caisse des Dépôts has been a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) since they were drawn up, in 2000 and in 2006 respectively.
It is also a founding member of the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance (NZAOA), formed in 2019, which brings together institutional investors committed to transitioning their asset portfolios to net-zero emissions by 2050.
Integrating sustainability into the Group's overall management
Over the past 20 years, Caisse des Dépôts' continuous commitment has been reflected in cross-cutting policies that are increasingly structured and integrated into the Group’s overall management.
ESG commitments are now factored into all of our activities, including financing, operating activities, risks, accounting and HR.
2000 Became a member of the UN Global Compact
2001 Novethic created
2003 Became a member of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP-FI)
2006 Supported the creation of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
2007 Joined the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)
2008 CDC Biodiversité created
2009 Became a member of the French Sustainable Investment Forum (Forum pour l'Investissement Responsable – FIR)
2012
- Group Responsible Investment Charter
- The Caisse des Dépôts Group's first Corporate Social Responsibility report
- Governance principles for listed companies published
- Ecotidien CSR programme for internal operations implemented
2015
- Climate policy for financial portfolios introduced
2017
- Group 2°C alignment roadmap drawn up
- First green bond issued
2019
- SDGs integrated into strategic management
- First sustainability bond issued
- Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance initiated
- French public investor charter for climate action signed
2020
- Recovery plan: €40bn committed over five years to finance the ecological transition in priority sectors
- Caisse des Dépôts’ biodiversity plan rolled out
- Climate policy strengthened
2021
- The Caisse des Dépôts Group labelled a "Company committed to Nature"
- Nature Day held
- New commitments made in the area of fossil fuel divestment and financing for the energy transition
2022
- Group biodiversity policy adopted
- Group Responsible Employer Statement published
- Group-wide climate adaptation action plan drawn up
- Responsible Investment Charter updated and extended to all types of financing
- New Group climate policy adopted
Our sustainability policy is underpinned by five major ambitions
Adhere to and promote the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
Be a resilient Group that drives adaptation.
Commit to preserving the planet's ecosystems.
Strike a balance between all ESG components.
Prioritise financing with a social and environmental focus.
Maximise the positive impact of our initiatives.
Prioritising consultation, monitoring and transparency
Actively driven and monitored by the governance bodies, the sustainability policy is drawn up jointly with the divisions during steering committee meetings. The outcomes are monitored by the governance bodies on an annual basis. A Stakeholder Committee chaired by the Chief Executive Officer ensures that third-party feedback is heard at the highest level of the organisation.
Consolidated sustainability reports are produced at Group level, including in particular:
- Sustainability report (CSRD) + overview: In 2024, first regulatory compliance exercise,
under its obligation to comply with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD): A Responsible Investment Report, which presents how environmental, social and governance issues are integrated into our investment activities, incorporating the disclosures required under article 29 of the French Energy and Climate Act:
Download 2024 Responsible Investment Report [in French only] PDF - 17.88 MB
Our approach is based on continuous dialogue with stakeholders and a commitment to transparency.
Performance recognised by ESG rating agencies:
ISS ESG
C
Prime status
Among industry leaders (top 10%)
2023
PRI Principles for Responsible Investment
A+
Maximum performance
In the "Strategy and Governance" category
2020
Sustainalytics
Negligible Risk
7.8/100
Ranked 14th among global banking institutions
2023
MOODY'S
ADVANCED
74/100
Ranked first in its sector
2022
MSCI ONE
AA
MSCI ESG Ratings AA
2024