📈 Commercial Bank Expands Sustainability Footprint and Green Financing in Sri Lanka

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has highlighted its latest environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts, emphasizing sustainable growth across key sectors including agriculture, SMEs, and renewable energy. • Green Financing & Climate Goals: • Green loan portfolio reached LKR 71.2 Bn, financing utility-scale renewable energy, rooftop solar, low-carbon transport, and agriculture. • Targeted green portfolio expansion to LKR 100 Bn by 2030. • Oversubscribed LKR 15 Bn Tier II Green Bond issued. • Funded projects avoided an estimated 134,128 tCO2e emissions in a single year. • SME & Agri-Sector Support: • Screened 13,335 credit facilities via Environmental & Social Management Systems. • Launched Sri Lanka's first AI-powered SME credit underwriting platform to streamline lending. • Enhanced smallholder farmer productivity in Polonnaruwa, Vavunathivu, and Welimada via the Agri Modernization Village Development Programme. • Social & Financial Inclusion: • Expanded financial literacy and rural reach for women entrepreneurs via the ComBank Shakthi network. • Achieved 100% return-to-work rate for female staff post-maternity leave under UN Women’s Empowerment Principles. • Environmental Conservation & Internal Operations: • Achieved carbon neutrality since 2020; 85+ branches operate on rooftop solar (>18% renewable energy share). • Recycled over 190,000 kg of paper waste in one year. • Planted 100,000 trees via "Trees for Tomorrow", restored 12,500 mangroves in Koggala Lagoon, and facilitated the release of 85,000+ turtle hatchlings in Panama, Ampara.