Sustainability governance

At Handelsbanken, we feel it natural to integrate sustainable thinking in our decision making. We have a decentralised way of working, close to the customer. 

We also have a designated team working with co-ordinating the sustainability work in the Handelsbanken Group.

Policies

Other than external regulations, at Handelsbanken we also have the following policies relating to sustainability. The Board issues policies for the entire Group. These are revised every year. On this page, we publish both Group policies as well as policies for Handelsbanken's subsidiaries. 

Policy documents for Handelsbanken Group

Policy for ethical standardsPolicy for sustainabilityModern Slavery Act Statement Handelsbanken plc (UK)Öppnas i nytt fönsterPolicy for managing conflicts of interest Policy against corruption Policy on measures against financial crime

Policy documents for Handelsbanken's subsidiaries 

Handelsbanken Fonder's policy for shareholder engagement and responsible investmentHandelsbanken Liv's policy for sustainability (in Swedish)Handelsbanken Liv's policy for responsible investments (in Swedish)Policy for sustainability at Stadshypotek

Guidelines

Our guidelines are issued by the CEO. They supplement and clarify the policies. 

Guidelines for integration of sustainability risksGuidelines regarding environmental impact and climate changeGuidelines regarding human rights and working conditionsArmaments and defence industry - Handelsbanken's guidelinesGuidelines for Handelsbanken's offering within forestry and farmingGuidelines regarding managing taxesGuidelines regarding the tobacco industryGuidelines for work environment

Here we provide an overview of the Bank's internal framework for equality, diversity and inclusion. In addition, each country is subject to legal requirements relating to non-discrimination and the promotion of diversity.

Summary of framework for gender equality, diversity and inclusion

Sustainability reporting

Handelsbanken's Sustainability Report for 2025 is included in the Annual Report 2025 and has been prepared in accordance with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The report constitutes the Bank's statutory sustainability report and also includes reporting in accordance with the EU Taxonomy Regulation.

The Sustainability Report has been prepared at Group level using the same consolidation principles as the financial statements. Handelsbanken Finans AB, Stadshypotek AB, Handelsbanken Fonder AB and Handelsbanken Liv Försäkring AB are included in the Group and refer to the Group's Sustainability Report.

Reports and presentations

Risk and supplier management How we work

  • Risk

    Sustainability risk can arise everywhere in the Bank. It is our responsibility to identify sustainability risk and managing it. This is done within a framework of established processes for risk and management. It is important to anticipate and manage sustainability risk, for financial and legal reasons as well as for the Bank's reputation. To do that, we follow the Bank’s decentralised model and low tolerance of risk.

  • Suppliers

    We have an ongoing dialogue with our suppliers. When making purchasing decisions we assess how the suppliers work with sustainability. We have also implemented a code of conduct for suppliers that we expect them to follow. We see a positive link between the code, our ongoing dialogues with suppliers and their sustainability activities.
    Handelsbanken Supplier Code of Conduct

Contact us

If you want to get in touch with us regarding the Bank's sustainability work, please contact us by e-mail.

Would you like to contact an expert, please find contact details to our experts via the link. 

Email sustainability@handelsbanken.seOur experts
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