International banking group Standard Chartered reported $1.07 billion in income from sustainable finance activities in 2025, marking a 9 percent year-over-year increase and surpassing its internal target of reaching $1 billion in annual sustainable finance income by 2025.

The milestone was announced alongside the bank’s 2025 annual report, which also confirmed that Standard Chartered has achieved net zero emissions across its own operations, covering Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions.

Sustainable Finance Income Breakdown

The Banking division accounted for the largest share of sustainable finance income at $610 million, up from $552 million in 2024. Transaction Services, including Payments and Liquidity, Securities and Prime Services, and Trade and Working Capital, generated $340 million, compared to $319 million the previous year. The Markets unit contributed $117 million, rising from $111 million in 2024.

The Banking division also recorded the strongest growth rate, increasing 11 percent year over year. Within that segment, capital markets and advisory activity rose sharply by 42 percent to $64 million in 2025.

The bank also reported continued progress toward its broader commitment to mobilize $300 billion in sustainable finance by 2030. As of the end of 2025, cumulative mobilization reached $157 billion, compared with $123 billion at the close of 2024.

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Operational Net Zero Achieved

Standard Chartered confirmed it has met its 2025 target to achieve net zero emissions in its own operations. Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions declined from a 2018 baseline of 148 ktCO2e to 6 ktCO2e, representing a 96 percent reduction.

Key measures contributing to this reduction include energy efficiency upgrades across its property portfolio, achieving 100 percent renewable electricity for Scope 2 emissions, installing solar systems at 52 sites across 17 markets, certifying 130 offices and branches with green building standards, and integrating green leasing principles into its corporate real estate strategy.

The operational net zero milestone forms part of the bank’s longer-term commitment to achieve net zero across its entire value chain by 2050, including supply chain and financed emissions.

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Financed Emissions And Reporting Expansion

Scope 3 financed emissions remain the largest component of the bank’s carbon footprint. In 2024, Standard Chartered released its inaugural Transition Plan outlining how it intends to reach net zero across financing activities by 2050.

The 2025 annual report introduced additional sustainability disclosures, including financed methane emissions intensity for the upstream oil and gas portfolio. The bank also published its first Nature Report, aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures framework.

Marisa Drew, Chief Sustainability Officer at Standard Chartered, highlighted the bank’s progress across financing, operational decarbonization, ESG performance, and expanded climate and nature reporting.

The results position Standard Chartered among the global banks demonstrating measurable revenue generation from sustainable finance, while continuing to expand disclosure and climate strategy integration across core operations and financing portfolios.

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