The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has set a new precedent for financial transparency, becoming the first multilateral development bank to publish sustainability disclosures in full compliance with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards.

This publication marks a significant milestone in the global push for standardised sustainability reporting. The EBRD is among the very first institutions worldwide to release an ISSB-compliant report that is subject to a limited assurance opinion, reinforcing the credibility of its climate and sustainability data.

Setting the Standard for Transparency

The new disclosures, which expand upon the Bank’s previous climate reporting, cover governance, strategy, risk management, and performance metrics. While the Bank had originally pledged to adopt ISSB standards by the end of the 2025 financial year, it has delivered on this commitment ahead of schedule.

Burkhard Kübel-Sorger, EBRD Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, commented on the achievement:

“This publication is a major step forward in our sustainability journey. By fully complying with ISSB standards, we are enhancing the transparency of our climate-related financial risks and opportunities, while setting the benchmark for multilateral development banks.”

The Role of the ISSB

Created by the IFRS Foundation at the COP26 climate conference in 2021, the ISSB aims to establish a global baseline for sustainability reporting. Supported by regulators and backed by the G20, these standards are designed to provide investors with clear, comparable information regarding sustainability risks and opportunities.

The EBRD continues to integrate sustainability into all operations, screening every investment for climate risk. Since 2023, the Bank’s activities have been fully aligned with the Paris Agreement. In 2024, green financing volumes reached a record €9.7 billion, representing 58 per cent of the Bank’s total investment volume.