Stakeholders of Triodos Bank

Our stakeholders help us to develop by providing an external perspective on what and how Triodos Bank does its work. We also partner and co-create to further Triodos Bank's mission and the sustainability agenda.

Triodos Bank continually seeks to connect with the world around it. This is essential if we are to remain relevant, continue to progress and meet our frontrunner ambition. All our business and financial decisions have an impact on our stakeholders. In turn, the societal themes embraced by our stakeholders have an impact on what we do now and how we do it.

We have benefited from open discussions with our stakeholders for many years and in varied ways from client days connecting hundreds of customers in all the countries where we work, to meetings and surveys with investors in the bank itself – the depository receipt holders.

Not only do we consult stakeholders because we value their feedback on our policies and actions, we also engage with them because we strive to change finance. We use our influence to change a financial system so that it puts people’s interests first while allowing us to live within our planetary limits. We cannot achieve that on our own; to truly have impact we need the support from stakeholders.

Triodos Bank identifies three general stakeholder categories:

Those that have economic relationships with the business
Those without an economic relationship but with a close interest in Triodos Bank from a societal perspective
Those that provide new insights and knowledge

The specific stakeholder groups relevant to Triodos Bank are: NGOs, investors, co-workers, suppliers, media, financial sector, advisers/inspirers, governments.

In addition to numerous interactions throughout the year at all levels of our organisation, we follow a formal process to analyse which issues are most important to our stakeholders and to inform our material topics. We do this through an annual meeting and survey. Our material topics are listed in the Annual Report.

Customers

The relationships and interaction between clients, entrepreneurs and co-workers is at the heart of our approach to our work. We value learning from the thoughts and perspectives of our customers, as well as being inspired by them in our daily work.

In the Netherlands we organised several webinars in 2024, specifically aimed at mortgage clients to provide more information about making your home more sustainable and other living arrangements. Also, we held several customer panels about accessibility of our services.

For our business customers we organised several events. By sharing knowledge, inspiring each other, and combining our strengths, we collectively create more impact. That is why we find it important to meet regularly and undertake activities together.

The Triodos Bank UK annual ‘Let’s Talk Impact’ customer meeting is a moment in the year when all customers are invited to hear from the senior leadership team, ask questions and connect with the impact we have as a bank. In 2024, it was a live broadcast online on the theme of future generations and shared on YouTube.

Triodos Bank UK works with high-profile customers that are willing to endorse the bank and what we stand for, for example national TV wildlife presenter Chris Packham.

In Spain, we organised several events for customers and clients, to help them navigate the challenges of today. Topics ranged from decarbonisation and energy saving to mental health. The biggest of them all was our celebration of the 20th anniversary of Triodos Bank Spain. We also invited customers and clients to the opening of our new commercial office in Madrid.

In Berlin, 200 customers and guests visited Triodos Bank Germany’s tbchange event. During lively panel discussions, renowned experts debated the changes that our economy and society urgently need, including our chief economist, Hans Stegeman. To meet customers locally, Triodos Bank Belgium set up 10 pop up offices all over the country. In addition, Triodos Bank Belgium has been working on renewing the Sustainability Label for 5 of its savings products, a strong indication of value for our (future) customers.

Depository Receipt Holders

In 2024 Triodos Bank had intensive contact with its DR holders in all countries where we are active. Various meetings were organised with DR holders. In addition, we held two Extraordinary Meetings of Shareholders and our Annual General Meeting.

Co-workers

In 2024, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) remained a crucial focus at Triodos Bank, reflecting our ongoing commitment to our values of equity, and wider social impact. We continue to build on the Triodos Bank Group Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy (EDI Policy), through the implementation of strategy across areas of data and reporting; policy and process; co-worker engagement; and communication and awareness.

The EDI policy outlines our commitment to fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and everyone feels empowered to contribute. Throughout 2024, Triodos Bank engaged in various initiatives aimed at promoting awareness and understanding of EDI principles.

In October 2024 we organised Identity Week. Identity Week is a new initiative to celebrate, and create more awareness and understanding of the main parts of our identity, values and behaviours. Triodos Bank also participated in the European Mental Health week in all five countries. The aim was to raise awareness about the importance of mental health in our everyday lives. We offered OneBank activities, as well as local activities.

To connect co-workers with one another and the organisation, online weekly meetings were organised in all countries where Triodos Bank has banking activities. Also, several groupwide meetings for all co-workers were held and surveys were held among co-workers about working at Triodos Bank.

In the Netherlands, over 500 colleagues took part in the Experience Days 2024. Spread over three days, 13 exceptional, diverse business clients opened their doors to us, so that we could experience the transformative power of money with our own eyes.

With the support of the Triodos Bank Inclusion Forum, Triodos Bank UK has been able to continue to give focus to key areas of inclusion in 2024: Black History Month, mental health awareness, menopause awareness, and neurodiversity. We are recognised as a Disability Confident Level 1 ‘Committed Employer’. Triodos Bank UK has also held regular ‘Ask Us Anything’ lunches hosted by the senior management team, inviting a randomly selected group of co-workers from all levels within the organisation.

In Spain events were organised around Women’s Day and LGBTIQ+ and co-workers facilitated internal workshops. In Belgium the focus on more co-worker engagement, resulted in more frequent emailing to co-workers on hot topics and the reintroduction of live Triodos Community Meetings.

In Germany, our engaged co-workers joined several marches for climate protection. In November 2024, co-workers took part of a historically significant event: the cleaning of Stolpersteine (stumbling stones) – commemorating the expulsion of Jews and other victims of persecution during the Nazi era.

Suppliers

Triodos Bank further strengthened its engagement and awareness with vendors/suppliers in 2024.We seek to maintain good relationships with our suppliers and business partners. We strive to build connections between suppliers to help them share best practice and gain insights into making a positive impact.

Triodos Bank wants to support its suppliers to become more aware and contribute positively on issues around sustainability, corporate social responsibility, ethics and transparency.

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

Triodos Bank supports numerous civil society initiatives that are in line with our transition themes. In 2023, Triodos Bank was the first bank to support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative, a global effort to foster international cooperation to accelerate a transition to renewable energy for everyone, end the expansion of coal, oil and gas, and equitably phase out existing production in keeping with what science shows is needed to address the climate crisis. We worked closely with the initiative in gathering support calling on governments to create this treaty at COP28.

In the Netherlands, we were one of the initiators of the citizens' initiative Farewell to Fossil Fuels (Afscheid van Fossiel), an appeal to the House of Representatives to truly start working on phasing out fossil fuels. Together with 25 other organisations we mobilised the support of more than 42,500 Dutch citizens.

In 2024, Triodos Bank joined the Right to Repair coalition. Together with coalition members, we want to contribute to a faster development of laws and policies in the field of repair, exchange knowledge and support innovative repair initiatives.

Triodos Bank UK has supported the Money Movers resource hub in partnership with Friends of the Earth. Money Movers is a movement of people supporting each other to take climate action with their personal finances.

In the UK, in 2024 we coordinated an open letter, signed by 70 businesses, calling for parliamentary candidates to support the UK Climate and Nature Bill, a proposed framework legislation that could provide a plan to tackle both the climate and nature emergencies.

Triodos Bank UK supports the Centre for Thriving Places in its work to help put the wellbeing of people, place and planet centre stage. In 2024, we sponsored the publication of a 'Wellbeing Economy in Action’ report showcasing stories of local leaders.

Memberships for Triodos Bank UK include Green Alliance, The Climate Coalition, the Aldersgate Group and Business Declares, a peer business network for business-declaring an ecological and climate emergency.

In Germany, we have joined the Bundesverband Nachhaltige Wirtschaft (German Sustainable Economy Association), which brings together 700 innovative companies to drive forward economic and social change, by showing how it can be done and advocating further positive change.

In Spain, we participated with WWF and Oxfam Novib on events about the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and collaborated with Ecodes, Ongawa and Oxfam in support of the Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty. Triodos Bank Netherlands is active in MVO Nederland and Transparency International NL.

Financial sector

Part of our mission is to change finance. This makes the financial sector one of our most important stakeholders. We interact with our colleagues in the sector on a regular basis, in person, through banking associations or during events.

Triodos Bank is a member of several local, regional and international platforms and associations, consisting of a diverse set of organisations, such as the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), B Corp (which includes a wide range of companies, not all active in the financial sector), United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP-FI), United Kingdom Social Investment Forum (UKSIF) and many more.

We are also active in the European Banking Federation (EBF), in the Dutch Association of Banks (NVB) we taken an active role in several sustainability committees; and in Spain we are a member of Spanish banking association AEB, Spainsif, SpainNab and the Green Finance Institute. The managing director from Triodos Bank Germany is a member of the sustainable finance council of the federal government and coordinates the climate commitment of the German financial sector.

In Belgium, Triodos Bank actively positions itself within the financial sector by building strong relationships with important organisations. The most important points of contact include Febelfin, Woman in Finance and IFB Impact Finance. Through these networks, Triodos Bank strengthens its presence and influence in the sector, focusing on sustainability and inclusivity in the financial world. In addition, we endorse major partnerships with organisations including The Shift Biodiversity and work with the largest NGOs on a daily basis, in order to increase our impact.

Triodos Bank the Netherlands is one of the organising partners of Springtij, a convening space that brings together business, government and civil society actors to look at sustainability issues from an integral point of view.

Government

Triodos Bank has ongoing dialogues with local and (inter)national governments and supervisory bodies, sometimes in partnership with other financial institutions or other partners. It engages in conversations about the sector and has regular meetings to discuss issues that are relevant to its business.

Key topics it focuses on in conversations and consultations include the positive impact and potential of sustainable banking, the strength of greater diversity in the banking industry and the need for stricter regulation to face out fossil fuels and creating more attention to biodiversity.

Media

Triodos Bank’s profile has developed rapidly in recent years in all the countries where it operates, via coverage in the media in particular. In addition to media coverage, Triodos Bank uses newsletters, social media, such as Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn, and its corporate and Colour of Money websites to communicate news, attract new co-workers and to engage with stakeholders interested in its story.

In 2024, we held interviews with a number of mainstream media such about sustainable banking and impact investing. We also launched a new podcast called Money for Change. In Spain, more than 30 media/journalists participated in events organised by Triodos Bank.

Triodos Bank UK CEO has a regular column in the Metro newspaper – one of the largest circulated newspapers in the country – with a focus on sustainable banking.  In 2024, Triodos Bank UK has sponsored a podcast series ‘If I ruled the world’ with celebrated TV presenter Gillian Burke and a new documentary ‘Sea, Land and City’ hosted on the Waterbear streaming platform, highlighting inspiring nature restoration projects in the South West of the UK. We also partnered with the 2024 Ethical Consumer Conference, focused on discussions around degrowth and post-growth. Chief Economist Hans Stegeman visited London to speak at the event.

Triodos Bank NL has a proactive media policy, where we approach the press with our reasoned, newsworthy view in response to news or a development. Examples where we actively inform press are new projects we are funding and our view on transitions. In the Netherlands, Triodos Bank Chief Economist Hans Stegeman has a weekly column in magazine Vrij Nederland and a monthly opinion piece in newspaper Het Financieel Dagblad.

In Germany, Triodos Bank is regularly reported on in the financial and business press, as well as in media focusing on sustainable topics - e.g. Ecoreporter, Utopia, Tagesspiegel Background Sustainable Finance and Handelsblatt Business Briefing Nachhaltige Investments.

Triodos Bank has achieved top rankings in surveys of top German economic media. For example, in a consumer study by Handelsblatt, we were once again recognised as the best sustainability bank in 2024, with the best customer advice and the highest level of trust. In the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung's analysis, we were recognised as the best customer advisor and most trustworthy company among German direct banks,

Advisors and inspirers

To expand its activities, enrich its thinking and keep innovating in its products and services, Triodos Bank engages with external advisors who respond to requests or provide advice spontaneously, and seeks out individuals who inspire new opportunities and insights. Triodos Bank invites inspiring people to speak at specially convened sessions in its branches, and at international theme meetings. These people are vitally important, particularly in the development of forward looking sustainability strategies.

We also continue to be active as a certified B Corp. B Corporations are businesses that balance purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. This is a community of leaders, driving a global movement using business as a force for good.

In 2024, Triodos Bank Germany launched a partnership with nachhaltig.kritisch, a young, innovative team of climate podcasters who get to the bottom of climate issues and scrutinise green filter bubbles.

Former comedian and famous TV science journalist Dr Eckart von Hirschhausen managed to introduce the serious topic “Healthy Earth - Healthy People” in a funny way. He demonstrated the direct health relevance of climate change at an event of Triodos Bank Germany in April 2024.

Local communities

Triodos Bank aims to involve local communities in its mission and to let them benefit from our activities. A few highlights worth mentioning come from the UK.

We continued to deepen our work on equity, diversity and inclusion – engaging our co-workers and Bristol community around Black History Month, PRIDE and more throughout the year. A local partnership with social enterprise Babbasa provides the bank with ongoing training and recruitment support.

When hate and violence flared in the UK streets in the summer of 2024, we made public statements and stood firm in our belief in the power of unity and the strength of a diverse society.

Carbon Disclosure Project
The Carbon Disclosure Project is an independent non-profit organisation that collects information regarding greenhouse gas emissions of the world's largest corporation. Triodos Investment Management is a signatory member of the Carbon Disclosure Project, Water CDP, Climate Action and Forest Footprint Disclosure Project.
www.cdp.net

FIEC
Triodos Investment Management is a member of the Financial Inclusion Equity Council, a forum of leading equity investors in the financial inclusion sector.
www.centerforfinancialinclusion.org

Dutch Banking Association (NVB)
The NVB is the link between the banking sector, the government and the public and contributes to a vital and sustainable sector. Triodos Bank is a member.
www.nvb.nl

DUFAS
The Dutch Fund and Asset Management Association promotes the collective interests of asset managers operating on and from the Dutch market – both Dutch and foreign parties. Triodos Investment Management is a member.
www.dufas.nl

Eumedion
Triodos Investment Management is a participant in Eumedion, which represents institutional investors’ interests in the field of corporate governance and related sustainability performance.
www.eumedion.nl

Women’s World Banking
Women's World Banking, a global non-profit devoted to giving more women access to finance.
www.womensworldbanking.org

Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF)
PCAF is a global partnership of financial institutions that work together to develop and implement a harmonized approach to assess and disclose the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with their loans and investments.
www.carbonaccountingfinancials.com

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative
The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is a global effort to foster international cooperation to accelerate a transition to clean energy for everyone, end the expansion of coal, oil and gas, and equitably phase out existing production in keeping with what science shows is needed to address the climate crisis.
www.fossilfueltreaty.org

Global Alliance for Banking on Values
The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) is an international network of frontrunner organisations and leaders in the banking industry that use finance to serve people and the planet. Our collective goal is to make the banking system more transparent and support positive economic, social and environmental change.
www.gabv.org

Eurosif
Triodos Investment Management is member of the European Sustainable Investment Forum (Eurosif), a pan-European network and think-tank whose mission is to develop sustainability through European financial markets. We are a signatory to its European SRI Transparency Code. We are member of some local sustainable investment fora, for example VBDO (Netherlands), UKSIF (UK), SpainSIF (Spain) and FNG (Germany), which all promote responsible investment in their own markets.
www.eurosif.org

GIIN
The Global Impact Investing Network is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to increasing scale and effectiveness of impact investing. Triodos Investment Management is a founding member.
www.thegiin.org

Hivos
Hivos-Triodos Fund, one of the four Triodos microfinance funds, is a joint initiative of Triodos Bank and Hivos.
www.hivos.org

NPM
This Dutch Platform for Inclusive Finance promotes inclusive finance as a contribution to poverty alleviation in developing countries. Triodos Investment Management is a member.
www.inclusivefinanceplatform.nl

UNPRI
Triodos Bank is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment, which provide a framework for investment professionals to incorporate the environmental, social and corporate governance issues into mainstream investment decision-making and ownership.
www.unpri.org

Partnership Biodiversity Accounting Financials (PBAF)
The Partnership for Biodiversity Accounting Financials (PBAF) is a partnership of financial institutions that work together to explore the opportunities and challenges surrounding the assessment and disclosure of the impact on biodiversity associated with their loans and investments.
www.pbafglobal.com

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