Standard Chartered reports a record $1.07 billion from sustainable finance activities in 2025, driven by rapid growth in banking and a significant step towards its net-zero ambitions, as part of an expanding shift towards green and transition finance.
International lender Standard Chartered reported $1.07 billion of income from sustainable finance activities in 2025, exceeding its $1 billion annual income target for the year and marking growth of 9% compared with 2024, according to the bank’s 2025 annual report. The result underlines the group’s push to monetise climate-related advisory and financing opportunities as it pursues wider decarbonisation goals.
The bank said its Banking division produced the largest share of sustainable finance income at $610 million, up from $552 million the prior year; Transaction Services contributed $340 million, while Markets delivered $117 million. Banking was the fastest-growing unit, rising 11% year-on-year, with capital markets and advisory work highlighted as a strong driver after expanding by 42% to $64 million.
Standard Chartered reported progress against its mobilisation target for sustainable finance, reaching $157 billion by the end of 2025 on a path to a $300 billion target by 2030. The bank framed these flows as central to scaling lower-carbon investment across emerging and developed markets.
On its own emissions, the bank declared it had reached net-zero for direct operations (Scope 1 and 2), recording a reduction to 6 ktCO2e from a 2018 baseline of 148 ktCO2e,a decline the report describes as a 96% cut. The annual report attributes that outcome to energy-efficiency measures, sourcing 100% renewable electricity for Scope 2, installation of solar at 52 sites across 17 markets, certification of 130 properties with green building standards and the incorporation of green leasing clauses into its real-estate strategy.
Standard Chartered acknowledged that financed (Scope 3) emissions remain the principal component of its greenhouse-gas footprint and reiterated its ambition to reach net-zero across financing activities by 2050. The bank published a Transition Plan last year setting out methodologies, interim targets and sectoral pathways for high-emitting industries including oil and gas, power, shipping, steel and cement, and said a Transition Acceleration Team will support clients in those sectors while new sustainable products are rolled out.
The annual report also expanded disclosure on portfolio climate risk, including, for the first time, financed methane emissions intensity within its upstream oil and gas portfolio, and published its inaugural Nature Report aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures. The bank described these steps as part of strengthening transparency and managing transition-related financial risks.
Independent recognition of the bank’s operational decarbonisation was noted in industry awards. According to JLL, a partnership with Standard Chartered won a Partners in Net Zero Journey accolade at the 2025 PFM Awards after achieving an 84% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions across more than 30 markets, equivalent to about 12,850 tonnes of CO2 avoided annually, alongside a 30% fall in occupied office space that improved workplace efficiency.
Standard Chartered’s public sustainability materials and press releases reiterate the dual timetable of net-zero in its own operations by 2025 and net-zero financed emissions by 2050, while urging suppliers to set Paris-aligned targets and incorporating procurement emissions into its reduction efforts. The bank’s Transition Plan, the company said in a statement, seeks to align commercial opportunity with the need to reduce climate-related financing risks that can increase costs and impede long-term growth in emerging markets.
For corporates and industrial clients engaged in decarbonisation, the bank’s disclosures signal expanding capacity to structure and underwrite transition-linked debt and project finance across capital markets and transaction services, while highlighting the continued challenge of cutting emissions embedded in financed assets.
- https://www.esgtoday.com/standard-chartered-earns-over-1-billion-in-sustainable-finance-income/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.esgtoday.com/standard-chartered-earns-over-1-billion-in-sustainable-finance-income/ – Standard Chartered announced that it generated $1.07 billion in income from sustainable finance activities in 2025, surpassing its $1 billion target. The bank also achieved net-zero operations, reducing its carbon footprint by 96% since 2018. The Banking business contributed $610 million, Transaction Services $340 million, and Markets $117 million to the sustainable finance income. The bank aims to mobilise $300 billion in sustainable finance by 2030, reaching $157 billion by the end of 2025. Standard Chartered’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions declined to 6 ktCO₂e from 148 ktCO₂e in 2018, with plans to achieve net-zero financed emissions by 2050. The annual report includes disclosures on financed methane emissions intensity and the bank’s first Nature Report, aligning with the TNFD framework. Marisa Drew, Chief Sustainability Officer, highlighted the bank’s commitment to scaling sustainable growth and enhancing ESG ratings.
- https://www.jll.com/en-us/client-stories/standard-chartered-and-jll-win-net-zero-partnership-award – Standard Chartered, in partnership with JLL, received the Partners in Net Zero Journey award at the 2025 PFM Awards for achieving an 84% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions across over 30 markets. This reduction equates to eliminating 12,850 tonnes of CO₂ annually, demonstrating the effectiveness of comprehensive decarbonisation strategies. The partnership also achieved a 30% reduction in occupied space while enhancing workplace functionality, proving that environmental responsibility and operational efficiency can go hand in hand.
- https://www.sc.com/en/about/sustainability/position-statements/climate-change/ – Standard Chartered is committed to becoming net-zero in its own operations by 2025 and aims to achieve net-zero financed emissions by 2050. The bank plans to reduce residual emissions by optimising its property footprint, increasing energy efficiency, and sourcing renewable electricity. It encourages suppliers to set their own climate targets consistent with the Paris Agreement and is progressively measuring, managing, and reducing emissions arising from procurement to support its net-zero commitment.
- https://www.sc.com/en/press-release/standard-chartered-publishes-transition-plan/ – Standard Chartered published its Transition Plan, detailing how the bank will integrate climate considerations into its business and operations to achieve net-zero targets. The plan outlines a framework to support the transition, highlighting commercial opportunities and the growth of sustainable and transition finance. It focuses on the bank’s financed emissions, aiming for net-zero across financing activities by 2050 and across its own operations by 2025.
- https://www.sc.com/en/about/sustainability/responsible-business-practices/our-net-zero-roadmap/ – Standard Chartered’s net-zero roadmap outlines the bank’s commitment to achieving net-zero financed emissions by 2050 and net-zero in its own operations by 2025. The roadmap includes interim targets and a supporting methodology, with a focus on high-emitting and carbon-intensive sectors. The bank aims to mobilise $300 billion in sustainable finance by 2030 and has set interim targets for various sectors, including oil and gas, power generation, automotive, aviation, shipping, steel, cement, aluminium, commercial real estate, and residential real estate.
- https://www.sc.com/en/press-release/standard-chartered-announces-interim-targets-and-methodology-for-pathway-to-net-zero-by-2050/ – Standard Chartered announced interim targets and a methodology for its pathway to net-zero by 2050. The bank plans to support clients in high-emitting sectors through a dedicated Transition Acceleration Team and launch sustainable products. José Viñals, Group Chairman, emphasised the need to address decarbonisation due to climate-related risks, which increase financing costs and hamper emerging markets’ long-term economic prospects.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on March 2, 2026, reporting on Standard Chartered’s 2025 annual report. The bank’s 2025 annual report was released on February 24, 2026. ([directorstalkinterviews.com](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/standard-chartered-fy2025-underlying-pbt-rises-18-to-7-9bn/4121241276?utm_source=openai)) The article appears to be based on this recent report, indicating freshness. However, the source, ESG Today, is a niche publication, which may affect the freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Marisa Drew, Chief Sustainability Officer at Standard Chartered. A search for these quotes did not yield earlier instances, suggesting they are original. However, the lack of independent verification raises concerns about the authenticity of the quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
ESG Today is a niche publication focusing on ESG and sustainable finance news. While it provides timely coverage, its limited reach and potential biases may affect the reliability of the information.
Plausibility check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Standard Chartered’s sustainable finance income and net-zero achievements align with the bank’s previously reported goals and industry trends. The figures reported are consistent with the bank’s 2025 annual report. ([directorstalkinterviews.com](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/standard-chartered-fy2025-underlying-pbt-rises-18-to-7-9bn/4121241276?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
While the article reports on Standard Chartered’s 2025 annual report, the reliance on a niche publication for verification and the lack of independent confirmation of the quotes and figures raise concerns about the content’s reliability. The absence of independent verification and the use of a niche source contribute to a medium confidence level in the assessment.
