Sustainability Blog

Garanti BBVA was rated at the “Leadership” level across all three themes of CDP—Climate Change, Water Security, and Forests. By also receiving an A score in the Forests theme, which became mandatory for financial institutions for the first time this year, the Bank became one of the few institutions globally to achieve the “Triple A” distinction.

In CDP’s 2025 assessment, Garanti BBVA received an A score in all three main themes—Climate Change, Water Security, and Forests, the latter being mandatory for financial institutions for the first time this year—thereby being assessed at the “Leadership” level. As a result, the Bank became one of the limited number of banks worldwide to attain a “Triple A” rating.

Garanti BBVA has been reporting comprehensively on the Climate Change theme since 2009 and on the Water Security theme since 2015. This year, in the Forests theme it reported for the first time, the Bank also shared—again for the first time—the amount of financing provided to sectors with high impact in this area and achieved an A score. This further strengthened the Bank’s position among institutions internationally recognized as exemplars in environmental transparency and transformation.

Commenting on the CDP rating, Garanti BBVA CEO Mahmut Akten said: “As an institution that has been working in the field of sustainability for more than 19 years, the A ratings we received from CDP across three separate themes are extremely valuable to us. Being assessed at the leadership level by an international platform for our efforts in areas such as climate change, water management, and deforestation—which directly concern our future—is a strong indication that we are taking the right steps. Today, we are not only an institution that provides financing; we are part of a comprehensive ecosystem working to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, reduce our environmental impacts, and make transformation possible together with our customers. Our strong position in renewable energy financing, our sustainable finance volume, our commitments under the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, and our environmental projects, as well as Blue Finance, which we have recently placed at the center of our focus, are all very important transformation areas in this direction. CDP’s assessment is the result of our determination regarding transparency, environmental impact management, and our sustainability vision. In the period ahead, we will continue to strengthen our efforts in this field and contribute to a sustainable future for our country and the world.”

Meeting the Highest International Standards Through Sustainability Efforts

Within the scope of its long-standing sustainability-focused strategy, Garanti BBVA has:

• Announced Türkiye’s highest-ever sustainable finance target to date, with a target of TRY 3.5 trillion for the 2018–2029 period.
• Signed the Equator Principles, becoming the first bank in Türkiye to join this initiative.
• Achieved a first in Türkiye by issuing a Biodiversity and Blue-Themed Bond focused on the protection of marine ecosystems.
• Ranked among the strongest players in renewable energy financing in Türkiye.
• Developed multi-dimensional support for women entrepreneurs, green transformation investments, emissions-reduction projects, and social impact programs.
• For four years, implemented the Mavi Nefes program—focused on protecting nature and water ecosystems—based on scientific measurement principles.

According to CDP’s global methodology, being included on the “A List” signifies that organizations meet the highest international standards in areas such as science-based targets, transparent data disclosure, risk management, opportunity development capacity, and nature-positive strategies, as evaluated across all of Garanti BBVA’s sustainability efforts.