Banking on sustainability

Our achievements, progress and goals at a glance

11 Mar 2022

Sustainability Report 2021

At UBS, our approach to sustainability is a constant expression of our purpose. For more than two decades, our firm has been at the forefront of sustainable finance making it one of the financial industry’s leading forces for driving positive, long-term change.

Download report

Media Release

UBS Climate Report

Other documents

Our achievements so far

What we achieved in 2021

Serving clients’ sustainable finance needs

  • USD 251 billion of sustainability-focus and impact investments (78% increase)
  • USD 23.4 billion in Climate Aware strategies
  • 103 green, social, sustainability or sustainability-linked bond transactions supported
  • Almost 70% of new mandates in Personal Banking are UBS Manage SI

Transitioning to a low-carbon economy

  • Set decarbonization targets for 2030 for financing of the real estate, fossil fuel and power generation sectors
  • Defined climate action plan pathways
  • 9.9% of our total customer lending exposure comes from carbon-related assets
  • 140 companies across sectors engaged on climate topics
  • 92% total reduction of our greenhouse gas footprint from the 2004 baseline year
  • First Swiss real estate platform for investment properties offering sustainable mortgages in Switzerland
  • Launch of the UBS Green Funding Framework

Addressing societal challenges

  • USD 161 million in donations raised by UBS Optimus Foundation
  • Almost 680,000 beneficiaries reached through strategic community impact activities
  • 4.6 million beneficiaries reached through UBS Optimus Foundation’s activities

Shaping a high-performing organization

  • 26.7% of Director level and above employees are women
  • 21.3% of UK / 20.1% of US posts at Director level and above held by employees from ethnic minorities
  • EQUAL-SALARY certification for equal pay practices in Switzerland, US, UK, Hong Kong and Singapore

Our goals at a glance

Timeline

2022

Selected goals

Sustainable finance

100 green, social, sustainability or sustainability-linked bond mandates in 2022

Planet

Implementation of Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures recommendations

People

Raise USD 175 million and reach 5 million beneficiaries globally through client philanthropy

Partnerships

Establish UBS as a leading facilitator of discussion, debate and idea generation

2023

Implementation of the Principles for Responsible Banking

2025

Selected goals

Sustainable finance

USD 400 billion of invested assets in sustainable investments

Planet

Net zero energy emissions resulting from our own operations

People

Raise USD 1 billion in donations and reach 25 million beneficiaries through client philanthropy

Partnerships

Best-in-class sustainability thought leadership and an expert forum to engage clients and standard setters in discussion

2030

Interim decarbonization targets for financing of key sectors achieved and NZAMi target achieved

2035

Net zero with key vendors

2050

Net zero across all our businesses

As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. offers investment advisory services in its capacity as an SEC-registered investment adviser and brokerage services in its capacity as an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Investment advisory services and brokerage services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate arrangements. It is important that clients understand the ways in which we conduct business, that they carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide to them about the products or services we offer. For more information, please review the PDF document at ubs.com/relationshipsummary.

Sustainable investing strategies aim to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into investment process and portfolio construction. Strategies across geographies and styles approach ESG analysis and incorporate the findings in a variety of ways. The returns on portfolios consisting primarily of sustainable investments may be lower or higher than portfolios where ESG factors, exclusions, or other sustainability issues are not considered, and the investment opportunities available to such portfolios may also differ.

Sustainability ratings were independently determined and awarded by the individual organizations. For more information, visit their websites. UBS did not pay a fee in exchange for these ratings.

UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC.