Confirming its commitment to adopting ESG principles and contributing to environmental sustainability

Kuwait, 6 October 2024

Burgan Bank announced signing a strategic partnership with DHL, the world’s leading logistics company, marking the Bank’s participation in the DHL Express “GoGreen Plus” initiative, in its latest effort to foster a cleaner environment with reduced carbon emissions. As a participant in the GoGreen Plus initiative, Burgan Bank will reduce its shipment-related carbon emissions by supporting DHL’s adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and choosing the DHL Express greener courier services across its value chain. This agreement comes as part of Burgan Bank’s commitment to raising environmental awareness and adopting global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards in its operations.

“As a responsible corporate citizen and a committed contributor to the fulfillment of Kuwait’s Vision 2035 goals, we are delighted to take yet another step toward actively minimizing our carbon footprint by participating in the DHL Express ‘GoGreen Plus’ initiative,” said Mr. Fadel Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer - Kuwait at Burgan Bank. “In our pursuit of excellence, we continue to analyze every component of our value chain against the highest global standards, guaranteeing that our success reflects positively on our environment and everyone in our community. We firmly believe that positive change is possible when we all collaborate and opt for sustainability.”

“Striving to offer outstanding service is among many merits that DHL shares with Burgan Bank, and today we are delighted to partner in adopting greener alternatives that will have a massive impact on the health of our planet and the communities we serve,” said Mr. Makram Raad, Country Manager - Kuwait at DHL. “A core aspect of our customers’ loyalty is based on trust and innovative solutions that guarantee premium service fulfillment and maximum positive impact on our social and natural ecosystems. As a champion of environmental awareness in Kuwait, we are honored to have Burgan Bank among the progressive adopters of our ‘GoGreen Plus’ service, and we look forward to more future collaborations with Burgan that pave the path toward a greener Kuwait.”

As a “GoGreen Plus” partner, Burgan Bank, through its steady investment in the initiative, will help DHL Express achieve its goal to have 30% of its aviation fuel blended with SAF – a green alternative to traditional jet fuel that reduces lifecycle emissions by up to 70-80% – by 2030. In addition to helping reduce Burgan’s Scope 3 emissions linked to air cargo by utilizing SAF-infused fuels, DHL Express will also contribute to offsetting the Bank’s carbon emissions through approved environmental protection programs.

Burgan Bank’s commitment to raising awareness about environmental consciousness is deeply rooted in its culture and operations, which shows in the Bank’s commitment since 2019 to publishing its annual sustainability report, detailing its yearlong ESG efforts. In addition, the Bank was recently awarded the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4.1 O+M: EB (Operations and Maintenance - Existing Buildings) Gold Certification for operations and maintenance at its head office building in Kuwait City, which underscores the Bank’s commitment to sustainability, operational excellence, and international standards for sustainability.

In recent years, the Bank has introduced several eco-friendly banking innovations including biodegradable and virtual cards. It has also expanded and advanced its online banking experience, reducing the need for customers to commute to the physical branches as well as significantly cutting down on paper consumption. These services include SMS and digital onboarding, eKYC (digital know-your-customer protocol), and the option to open numerous bank accounts, such as Kanz and Al Rateb, online in less than a minute.