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, for instance, we organised several webinars in 2023, specifically aimed at depository receipt holders, mortgage clients and investors in our investment funds. In addition, we held several customer panels about accessibility of our services.

A highlight of the year was the Triodos Festival. We celebrated the ways to create positive impact and the commitment of the Triodos Bank community. Over 8,000 customers, like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, co-workers and their families gathered at our head office at De Reehorst.

The Triodos Bank UK Annual 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 2023 it was hosted in-person in Bristol and broadcast online, featuring special guest speaker Mary Portas.

Triodos Bank UK works with high-profile customers that are willing to endorse the bank and what we stand for. A recent example was national TV wildlife presenter Chris Packham coming out in support.

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. We also orchestrated the Triodos Bank Awards 2023 for customers and other stakeholders. Triodos Bank Germany visited several fairs and events all over the country and invited customers to meet us in person. To meet customers locally, Triodos Bank Belgium set up pop up offices in several cities. In 2023, co-workers were present in 7 cities for - on aggregate - 35 days in pop up offices and serviced 237 customers on-site.

Depository Receipt Holders

Last year Triodos Bank had intensive contact with its DR holders in all countries where we are active. Various information sessions were organised for DR holders, and two Extraordinary Meetings of Shareholders and the Annual General Meeting.

Co-workers

In 2023, equity, diversity and inclusion remained an important topic in society and at Triodos Bank. A key step forward in 2023 was the development of the Triodos Bank Group Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion policy (EDI policy) which was published internally for all co-workers.

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.

Triodos Bank listens to feedback from co-workers. Benefits have been reviewed at Triodos Bank UK following feedback gathered by our co-worker forum. One of the priorities was a new, improved Family Friendly policy to be even more inclusive and offer more support at key moments in co-workers’ lives.

In response to co-worker feedback, the HR team in the UK has worked closely with the internal communications team to launch 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 and Germany, events were organised about ways of working together.

Triodos Bank Belgium celebrated its 30th anniversary. Current and former co-workers gathered to celebrate and commemorate 30 years of engagement to develop sustainable banking in the Belgian market. And in October, Triodos Bank colleagues, runners and walkers participated in the Bruges Marathon. Prior to that clients and co-workers were invited to support them financially in favor of donations made by the Triodos Foundation.

Suppliers

Triodos Bank further strengthened its engagement and awareness with vendors/suppliers in 2023.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.

In January Triodos Bank Belgium announced to move to another office building. After a year of preparations 162 Co-workers of Triodos Bank Belgium moved into one of the greenest buildings in Brussels: the Quatuor, a stone's throw from Brussels North Station. From the choice of the new building to the interior design, we haven taken care to be as sustainable and circular as possible. We have worked with local and sustainable partners to achieve this.

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

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.

Triodos Bank UK has close partnerships with a number of organisations and charities aligned with our values and willing to recommend us to their supporters, such as Friends of the Earth, RSPB and the Soil Association. Triodos Bank UK collaborated on national campaigns that engaged industry, the public and politicians with the role that finance plays in the climate and nature crises - such as the ‘Save our Wild Isles’ campaign from major charities WWF, the National Trust and RSPB featuring the film ‘Banking on a Wilder Tomorrow’.  

We are a founding pledge partner of the Make My Money Matter campaign and a member of the Financing a Just Transition Alliance, designed to identify the role that finance can play in connecting action on climate change with inclusive development pathways.

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.

Triodos Bank UK supported the Business Declares ‘Queue for Climate and Nature’ campaign including visiting No. 10 Downing St to deliver its petition with 2000 signatures on behalf of UK business leaders.

In Spain, we participated with WWF and Oxfam Novib on events about the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, and 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 Dutch Association of Banks (NVB), in the board and several other 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.

Running up to COP28, we gathered support from several other European banks to call on governments to create a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty.Triodos Bank Germany coordinates the climate commitment of the German financial sector.

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 broader retail participation in impact investing.

Triodos Bank is a member of banking associations across Europe and is engaged in governmental and supervisory consultations with a focus on maintaining a diverse banking landscape and fair and effective regulatory conditions for small and medium-sized banks.

A lot of focus in 2023 went to the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, the nature restoration law and COP28. In June, Triodos Bank Belgium received a delegation from the Flemish green party Groen, to discuss about policy improvements to support (the financing of) a more circular economy.

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 social media, such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, and its website to communicate news, attract new co-workers and to engage with stakeholders interested in its story.

In 2023, we held interviews with media such as Reuters, Responsible Investor and Dutch newspapers about sustainable banking and impact investing. We also organised a press conference running up to the listing of the depository receipts on the MTF. In Spain, more than 20 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. After extensive conversations with the team at leading UK consumer title Which? magazine, they released their first ‘Eco Provider’ analysis of sustainable current account providers.

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 a new kind of business that balances 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 the UK, we invited climate activists Tori Tsui, Dominique Palmer and Mary Stevens to discuss the importance of intersectionality and diversity within the activist space at an event in the Triodos Bank UK office. 

Regular ‘Food for Thought’ talks are held at lunchtimes for co-workers to hear from businesses, entrepreneurs and inspiring guest speakers. Triodos Bank UK CEO speaks at conferences and events, for example the Blue Earth Summit in Bristol.

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 community around Black History Month, PRIDE in Bristol and more throughout the year.

A highlight was forming a partnership with Babbasa, social enterprise that provides ongoing training and recruitment support.

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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