Kommunalkredit Austria AG: Best ESG Infrastructure Finance Europe 2019

The focus of Kommunalkredit Austria’s business model is reflected in its mission statement, which promises sustainable success for projects in the areas of energy, environment, social infrastructure, communications technology, and transport. Founded in 1958 and privatised in 2015, the specialist bank has modernised its infrastructure policy through a process of continuous innovation and evolution. Kommunalkredit connects project developers and infrastructure operators with institutional investors seeking long-term asset classes with reliable cash flows. The bank pursues a three-pronged approach to address social, environmental, and economic issues. It evaluates those same criteria to determine the sustainability impact of financed projects during each credit application process. It keeps a pulse on social concerns by attending town hall meetings, sponsoring events, and maintaining open dialogue through a network of channels. It has developed an environmental management system that guides everything from waste disposal to business travel. Over 70 percent of Kommunalkredit energy consumption is now fuelled by renewable resources. Through its subsidiary Kommunalkredit Public Consulting (KPC), it provides advisory and management services for every stage of an infrastructure project. KPC also offers the Climate Austria product, which has offset about 240,000 tons of CO2 over the past 10 years. The bank demonstrates good corporate citizenship and advances climate change action. The CFI.co judging panel confirms Kommunalkredit Austria AG as the 2019 Best ESG Infrastructure Finance (Europe) award winner.