SaarLB > About us > Sustainability

Responsibility with impact.

Sustainability is not a trend for us, but an integral part of our daily activities. We take a holistic approach to sustainability: protecting the environment, strengthening social responsibility and practising good corporate governance. With clear ESG criteria, we want to enable financing that actively contributes to sustainable transformation.

Dr. Sandra Geißel
ESG manager

Think and act sustainably

Investing where the future is taking shape

Das Bild zeigt den Champus in Chiemgau nach Bauende

Construction of the Chiemgau Campus in Traunstein

18. March 2026 Homepage

Together with the Kreissparkasse Traunstein-Trostberg, SaarLB has financed the construction of the Campus Chiemgau in Traunstein – an innovative site shared by the Rosenheim University ...

An important step for green steel in Saarland – we are on board!

15. October 2025 Corporate customers

The transformation of the Saarland steel industry continues to gather pace. A consortium of 16 banks, including us as one of the core banks of ...

Forward-looking project for the energy transition in France

5. September 2025 Homepage

Kallista Energy is building a 120 MW / 240 MWh battery storage system in Saleux (Hauts-de-France) – one of the largest of its kind in ...

Specialist for renewable energies

With our Renewable Energies business segment, we are a leading provider in the special segment of structured project financing for SMEs, particularly in the German core market and in France. In this way, we are making an effective contribution to climate protection.
Since 2003 we have specialised in wind power and photovoltaic projects with sustainable product solutions. Together with our partners, we have already implemented over 470 projects with a total nominal output of around 4,95 GW.

Sustainable credit portfolio

SaarLB’s fundamental objective in its lending activities is to reduce sustainability risks and negative impacts on the environment and society. In contrast, ESG-related opportunities and positive impacts are to be increased or expanded.

For this purpose, SaarLB has used a materiality analysis to evaluate all SDGs in terms of their opportunities and risks (outside-in perspective) and / or their impact on the environment and society (inside-out perspective), taking into account the stakeholder perspective. It aims to acquire or expand financing that makes a potential contribution to fulfilling the SDGs with increased impact, which is also expressed in particular in the Renewable Energies business segment. Negative impacts are largely regulated by restrictions on customer and industry acceptance in their sustainability policy.

With the framework for ESG-related financing, SaarLB creates a transparent arrangement for the provision of green and social financing for its customers.

Green bonds

Renewable energies and climate protection are an essential area of activity for SaarLB. The Bank has launched an issue programme for green bonds to this end. This is part of SaarLB’s sustainability programme and will contribute to the further expansion of SaarLB’s position in renewable energies and climate protection.
The proceeds from the issue of SaarLB’s green bonds are used exclusively for eligible or suitable projects within the scope of the green bond principles, which fall into the category of “renewable energies”.

Climate and environmental protection

Our goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero at all SaarLB sites by 2035. To this end, we already source exclusively green electricity from wind power for all buildings at our Saarbrücken site. We are also minimising our own CO₂ emissions, for example through numerous energy efficiency measures in the areas of buildings and transport.
Sustainability, environmental protection and social standards, as well as a regional focus, are firmly embedded in our procurement policy.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The 17 UN goals for ecologically, economically and socially sustainable development have been the main pillars of our sustainability management since 2020.
All previous and future sustainability measures are mapped to the SDGs.

ESG rating

The sustainability agency ISS ESG (formerly oekom research) has awarded SaarLB a rating of C- (2025). This puts the bank’s performance well above the industry average and ranks it among the top 30% of banks in the ‘Public & Regional Banks’ category in the international sustainability rating.

ESG rating from Sustainable Fitch

In addition, an ESG rating was issued by Sustainable Fitch ESG in 2024. SaarLB received an entity rating of 3 (on a scale of 1 to 5: good to poor).

Sustainability strategy and management

SaarLB is committed to a long-term and sustainable business policy across all aspects of sustainable practice. As a public-sector bank and the region’s largest credit institution, it considers itself particularly committed to the public good. With its Franco-German business model, it also sees itself as a promoter of Franco-German friendship, in line with the Saarland state government’s France strategy.

Through our sustainability strategy, we pursue a holistic approach that encompasses all areas of the organisation and business sectors, combining economic, environmental and social objectives. It is closely linked to our business and risk strategy and our Code of Conduct.

Our Code of Conduct serves as an ethical guide for all our dealings – both internally and with third parties. In this sense, the Code of Conduct provides guidance on proper conduct and working practices for everyone acting on behalf of SaarLB, its French subsidiary La Banque Franco-Allemande and LBS Landesbausparkasse Saar.

Using a VSME report generated via the DNK platform, as well as our sustainability report, we provide transparent reporting on the results and progress of our sustainability work.

Social commitment

Strong roots – committed to people, the region and the future

As a driving force in the Saarland economic region, SaarLB is actively committed to sustainable development, social responsibility and cultural promotion. Whether regional infrastructure, scientific projects, concerts or cross-border friendships – our commitment creates value, strengthens networks and shapes the common good.

Your contact

Dr. Sandra Chrzan

ESG-Manager

Fon. +49 681 383-2333 sandra.chrzan@saarlb.de

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