Strategy & Practice Management

UOB commits to 2050 net zero targets to support a just transition for ASEAN

UOB has announced ambitious commitments to reach net zero by 2050. This underlines its goal to support a just transition that advances sustainable socioeconomic development in tandem with decarbonisation in Southeast Asia.

UOB's commitments cover six sectors, which make up about 60 per cent of its corporate lending portfolio. These six sectors are power, automotive, oil and gas, which are part of the energy value chain, as well as real estate, construction and steel, which are part of the built environment value chain.

Using internationally-recognised climate science models, UOB based its sectoral targets on regional pathways that align with global net zero goals. This approach to net zero reflects UOB's strong belief in the need for a just transition in Southeast Asia that continues to support economic growth and improve energy access across the region's diverse economies.

Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, UOB, said, "In Southeast Asia, our net zero ambitions must go hand in hand with an orderly and just transition to take into account socioeconomic challenges. Even as we cut our carbon footprint, we must ensure that people's lives and livelihoods can continue to improve.

"It is important to balance growth with responsibility on our net zero journey. Our targets are ambitious, yet realistic, and they also meet the global goals of net zero for ASEAN."

UOB's commitments include interim 2030 targets to reflect the necessary near-term progress on the path to net zero.

In addition, UOB has committed to exiting financing for the thermal coal sector by 2039. This is on top of its existing prohibitions on new project financing of greenfield or expansion of
coal-fired power plants and thermal coal mines.

UOB is integrating its net zero plans into its business strategies and will step up its efforts in working closely with clients and other stakeholders towards decarbonisation. It will conduct annual reporting to track progress against its net zero commitments. Over time, the Bank will expand the scope of its targets to include additional sectors as data and climate scenarios become available.

Underlining its commitment to regional and global decarbonisation efforts, UOB has joined the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), which is made up of 121 banks from 41 countries with US$70 trillion in global banking assets.