Kasikorn Bank aims for 2024 sustainable loans and investments to reach 100 billion baht.

Bangkok, Kasikorn Bank promotes its Climate strategy to support business sectors in transition - seize opportunities, setting a goal for sustainable loans and investments to reach 100 billion baht in 2024, emphasizing environmental solutions in every dimension of the business sector, aiming for a Net Zero economy. Mr. Pipit Ankanithi, Managing Director Kasikorn Bank Revealed that the business world is entering the Climate Game era where environmental factors change the business equation. Value of business from traditional business income will be mitigated by the negative factors that the business affects the environment and society. And there will be increased opportunities from doing business that has positive environmental factors. Kasikorn Bank has therefore set an environmental strategy for 2024 as follows: Strategy 1 Green Operation - The bank changes its operational processes. Aiming for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the bank's operations (Scope 1-2) to Net Zero with international standards. by developing a greenhouse gas information system Including carbon credit operations since 2012, the bank has now installed 100% of solar rooftops at 7 main bank buildings and has already installed them at branches, which will total 78 branches by June. In 2024, 183 cars used in the banking business were changed from combustion cars to electric cars, able to continuously reduce greenhouse gas emissions from operations. In 2023, a reduction of 12.74% compared to the base year (2020). ) has carbon credit management It has been carbon neutral for 6 consecutive years (2018-2023) and aims to be Net Zero in Scope 1 and 2 by 2030. Strategy 2 Green Finance - Help customers with green finance. The Bank supports the business sector in the complete transition, including 1. Providing environmental loans (Green Loan) and lending to improve business processes in the transition (Transition Finance). 2. Allocating the Bank's investment in businesses. and startups that create positive impacts. 3. Presenting investment prod ucts from both the bank and global partners to attract investment funds to support businesses that are environmentally and socially conscious (ESG). The bank delivers the funds. Loans and investments for sustainability have reached 73,397 million baht (2022-2023) and are expected to reach a total of 100,000 million baht by 2024 and 200,000 million baht by 2030. 'For this year, we aim to support 70-80% of corporate customers, while the other 20-30% want to expand to the SME group. However, the readiness of each organization must be taken into account,' Mr. Pipit said. In the past, there has been measurable progress, such as the power plant industry portfolio. The Bank supports green loans in the amount of 3,800 million baht. At present, the Bank has the level of greenhouse gas emissions intensity (Emission Intensity per GWh) in this portfolio reduced by 5% in 2023 compared to the base year (2020), which is in line with the map. put it Ready to accelerate the creation of tools to support the reduction of gree nhouse gas emissions for entrepreneurs. This is consistent with the government sector seeing the need and helping to drive the business sector forward in this matter. In addition, businesses that must adapt to the environment reflect the need for support from banks in dimensions beyond finance. including ESG knowledge for business, technical consulting services and ESG business matching, Kasikorn Bank has integrated potential in solutions, knowledge and technology. Strategy 3 Climate Solutions - Comprehensive environmental solutions through cooperation from partners, including the delivery of knowledge and advice (Knowledge Provider) that integrates knowledge from leading institutions. Developing solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for customers, both individuals and entrepreneurs (Reduction Solution), piloting the WATT'S UP service, a platform to support integrated electric motorcycle rentals. Including battery swap service through service points. Currently, there are 367 users. By 2024, it is expe cted that there will be more than 10 models of electric motorcycles available, expanding battery swap booths to more than 70 branches throughout Bangkok and the surrounding area and 'Punfai' (Punfai ) is an application that is a collaboration between Kasikorn Bank and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to develop the first electricity exchange application in Thailand that answers all dimensions of usage. Supports use by both the public and business sectors. R Strategy 4 Carbon Ecosystem - The bank prepares to connect in the Carbon Ecosystem in order to develop services to the next level. In transactions related to carbon credits By studying and purchasing carbon credits for carbon offsets of banks and companies in the group. To support quality carbon credits and aims to be an example and help drive Thailand's carbon credit market to grow and be accepted internationally. In addition, the Bank has launched a platform to register and sell renewable energy production certificates (Renewable Energy Certificate: REC) which is a collaboration between Kasikorn Bank and Innopower to facilitate retail citizens and small and medium-sized businesses installing rooftop solar. REC certificates can be registered and sold. The bank has also studied and prepared guidelines for other dimensions of the carbon credit ecosystem, such as being a carbon credit trading agent (Carbon Credit Broker / Dealer), issuing carbon credit tokens (Carbon Credit Tokenization). Source: Thai News Agency