Akbank's sustainable financing target is 2.5 trillion TL

Akbank continues its sustainability efforts with a holistic approach that includes social development, education, entrepreneurship and culture and arts, as well as environmental targets. Akbank Brand and Communications President Seçil Demiralp, who made evaluations within the scope of COP31 held in Antalya, announced that the bank increased its sustainable financing target to 2.5 trillion TL.

Stating that Akbank does not evaluate sustainability only through environmental risks and green financing, Demiralp said that contributions to the development of people and society are also fundamental parts of this approach.

2050 NET ZERO BANKING TARGET

Reminding that Akbank has a goal of becoming a net zero bank in 2050, Demiralp noted that they have also updated their goals in the field of sustainable finance. Stating that the bank completed its sustainable financing target of 800 billion TL in 2023 three years ago, Demiralp stated that the target was increased to 2.5 trillion TL in 2026.

Expressing that COP31 is an important platform for institutions to turn their sustainability commitments into concrete actions, Demiralp said that Akbank focuses on social contribution projects as well as its environmental goals.

40 TRUCKS OF MATERIALS REACHED 400 THOUSAND STUDENTS

Stating that Akbank's social contribution activities are handled under four headings: entrepreneurship, education, volunteering and culture and arts, Demiralp told the story of the emergence of the "There is a Future in Transformation" project, which was implemented in this context.

Stating that the project started during the renovation work carried out in Akbank Headquarters building in 2023, Demiralp said that the idea of ​​reusing high-quality materials such as libraries, tables, cabinets and shelves from the 33-storey building turned into the project.

Stating that a total of 40 trucks of materials were included in the project, Demiralp noted that these materials were sent to Hatay after the February 6 earthquakes and an upcycling workshop was established at İskenderun Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School.

Explaining that the students transformed the materials into furniture that can be used in schools under the guidance of their teachers, Demiralp said, "It was sent to a total of 19 thousand 231 schools and we contributed to the education area of ​​400 thousand students."

Stating that the transformation of the materials from Akbank Headquarters building has been completed, Demiralp stated that with the support of the Ministry of National Education, the work in the workshop continues with furniture suitable for the transformation obtained from other sources.

ADVANCED TRANSFORMATION TRAINING FOR 1080 TEACHERS

In the new phase of the project, it is aimed to expand upcycling studies to vocational high schools across Türkiye. Stating that they signed a protocol with the Ministry of National Education in this context, Demiralp said that they started the "Training of Educators" program.

Stating that 1080 teachers have received face-to-face and online training since October, Demiralp noted that after the teachers gain competence in advanced recycling techniques, they will share this information with students in high schools across Türkiye.

Stating that they think the program will contribute not only to environmental awareness but also to employment, Demiralp stated that manufacturers will increasingly need employees with knowledge of waste management and upcycling.

Demiralp stated that they expect the project to contribute to the training of green-collar workers in this aspect and that they aim to spread the upcycling culture to wider segments through students.