For over one hundred and sixty years, the banking cooperation it supports communities and territories and is a point of reference for one ecological transition orderly and effective, in line with the sustainable development goals of the UN 2030 Agenda. This is the thought of Giuseppe DeLucia Lumeno, Secretary General of Assopopolari, regarding the international project promoted by the ICA-International Cooperative Alliance and the ICBA-International Cooperative Banking Association which has involved the world cooperation movement.
In particular, the analysis of the "Sustainable Development Goals" shows positive results of "a multifaceted operation which has always been the way of being and of developing the action of banking cooperation".
For example, from objectives related to social responsibility, such asGoal 4 on the “quality of education” and theGoal 13 with regard to "urgent action against climate change", the commitment of the cooperative banks emerges. With over 70 financial education projects divided by age group and purpose, a budget of 2,5 million euros which involves institutions in the category. The training aspect is significant, which includes 27.600 employees with funding of over 20 million euro.
Compared to Objective 13, during 2020 particular attention was paid to an effective reduction in activities related to greenhouse gases by 230 tonnes, compared to the 600 produced in 2010. Likewise, organizational innovations and the digital revolution have contributed to a significant reduction in paper consumption, per employee, going from 6.500 tons in 2010 to 2.700 in 2020.
Finally, according to theGoal 11, "Promoting cities and human settlements in an inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable way", was finalized in 1,25 billion euros of social housing credits to which credits of 380 million were added to 11.600 sustainability projects of the environment and communities and resources financed through the rapidly spreading social bond instrument for around 1,2 billion euro.
