Alexandra Themistocli

Head of Sustainability Germany – SEB Bank

Sustainable Finance – what does that mean to you?

Alexandra Themistocli: For me, sustainable finance is crucial to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and to reduce global warming. The transformation of the economy is creating immense opportunities for companies, investors, financial players, and the public sector, which will be supported by sustainable finance. Without including sustainability considerations into everything we do; we will not succeed in achieving climate neutrality.

In your opinion, what’s the key to successfully develop the sustainable finance movement?

Themistocli: The financial sector needs to be able – with the help of regulation, reliable data, and the public sector – to provide investments for the transformation of our economy, in areas where the funds can be used most effectively. Then, market forces will enable the sustainable finance movement to accelerate – to the common good.

What role does SEB play here?

Themistocli: We have been pioneers in the development of sustainable finance products for decades. We, for example, developed and placed the World Bank’s first Green Bond in 2008, a market that is now $1trillion in size. We see ourselves as a thought leader and are actively working to drive the transformation towards a sustainable society. We are in close contact with investors, governments, MDBs and regulators worldwide and are the only bank represented in the European Platform on Sustainable Finance (PSF). In addition, we were part of the technical expert group that developed the EU taxonomy. This long experience helps us to best support our clients in their transition towards a more sustainable economy.

“In my role as Head of Sustainability, I engage in sustainability dialog with as many investors and companies as possible to ensure that capital will be invested into projects and companies that will ensure that the Paris Agreement goals are met.”

What is your personal goal?

Themistocli: It is very important to me that we achieve climate neutrality by 2050, so that our children will not be living in a world where natural disasters and the reduction of biodiversity are the norm. I make a small contribution to this, by no longer eating meat, which saves water and GHG emissions. In my role as Head of Sustainability, I engage in sustainability dialog with as many investors and companies as possible to ensure that capital will be invested into projects and companies that will ensure that the Paris Agreement goals are met.

„In order to stop climate change – the effects of which have long since been noticeable – enormous investments are needed. This is why we are embracing the idea of private capital also being invested according to the principles of sustainability. The Cluster aims at further promoting this movement.”

Hessian Minister of Economy, Tarek Al-Wazir