The Bank considers climate change as a strategically significant factor capable of exerting an influence on financial sustainability, business model and development priorities. In the reporting year, the Sustainability Strategy was approved, establishing the goals and priorities of the Bank in the field of ESG and climate risk management and being an integral part of the Bank's Development Strategy for 2024–2033.

Strategic key performance indicators (KPI) cover not only operational and financial aspects, but also areas in the field of sustainable development. In terms of the climate agenda, the Bank has established the following KPIs:

1. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the Bank's activities (scope 1, 2, 3^[1]) – minus 7% from the 2024 baseline level by 2030 - minus 10% from the 2024 baseline level by 2033;

2. Volume of "green" mortgages – ≥ 70 billion tenge by 2030.

Monitoring of the achievement of climate KPIs is carried out within the framework of the Bank's strategic management system and is integrated into the processes of regular review of indicators at the level of corporate governance bodies.

The goals of the Bank in the field of reducing the impact on the environment and global climate change are:

-       environmental protection, including the rational use of resources, reducing the impact on global climate change;

-       compliance with mandatory legislative and other requirements adopted by the Bank;

-       application of eco-friendly, energy- and material-saving technologies.

Particular attention is paid to the development of the "green" mortgage portfolio, including support for energy-efficient construction projects and the introduction of sustainable housing standards. The Bank aligns with the Green Taxonomy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and also takes into account the climate goals recorded in the Strategy for Achieving Carbon Neutrality of the country until 2060. Implementation of climate initiatives is embedded into the broader ESG agenda of the Bank, including work with international partners and increasing transparency.

In the reporting year, the Bank continued the development of the ESG and climate risk management system. In particular, the Sustainability Strategy was approved, formalizing strategic goals, priorities and key performance indicators in the field of sustainable development and decarbonization, as well as establishing the integration of climate factors into the corporate governance and risk management system.

In addition, the Environmental and Social Risk Management Policy was approved, defining the principles of identification, assessment, monitoring and minimization of relevant risks in the course of activities and implementation of financial instruments of the Bank. The Methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions was updated, taking into account the expansion of the accounting perimeter and the inclusion of indicators for Scope 3.

The adopted documents provide a systemic and long-term framework for managing ESG and climate risks and opportunities, and also strengthen the Bank's compliance with the expectations of regulators and stakeholders. In the reporting year, the Bank's ESG rating from the international rating agency Sustainable Fitch was also raised from level "3" and a score of "55" to a score of "60".

Risk management

The implementation of the climate risk assessment system in the Bank remains a key element of adaptation to the requirements of regulators, international standards and the growing impact of climate factors on financial sustainability.

Based on the results of 2025, the previously developed methodology for assessing climate risks was implemented into the Bank's practice. A regular assessment of the credit portfolio's exposure to physical and transition climate risks is carried out, including the impact on the financial sustainability of the Bank in the short, medium and long term. Significant climate risks associated with an increase in the frequency and consequences of negative climatological phenomena, as well as with the tightening of national requirements regarding energy efficiency in the construction sector, are integrated into the processes of strategic and budget planning, underwriting and capital management.

The system allows the Bank to respond in a timely manner to changes in the external and internal climate of risks, strengthening the sustainability of the business model and compliance with international and national standards.