As the 26th International Day for Biological Diversity was observed on May 22 under the theme "Acting locally for global impact," Bank of China (BOC) reiterated its commitment to leveraging financial capabilities to support biodiversity conservation, helping foster a community of life for humanity and nature.

Green and blue finance initiatives

BOC has strategically directed its financial products toward key areas of biodiversity conservation and established a comprehensive matrix of green services, guided by the national goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. 

In Suzhou, Jiangsu province, BOC led the issuance of RMB 420 million in green bonds to revitalize a national wetland park. In Fujian, it completed the province's first green foreign debt registration to support a biodiversity-friendly photovoltaic project, aiding emission reduction and biodiversity conservation. In Guangdong, BOC assisted the provincial government in issuing its first blue bonds, targeting sustainable water resource protection in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, fostering financial cooperation and the growth of the blue economy in the region.

Photovoltaic panel array on the rooftop of the factory of BOC's client in Nan'an, Fujian province.

BOC has enhanced regional biodiversity by installing urban beehives on the rooftop of its office building in New York, United States, to promote a "micro-ecology" initiative. In Sydney, BOC launched the world's first independently certified multi-currency blue deposit scheme, specifically aimed at supporting water environment management.

Beehives are installed on the rooftop and terrace of BOC's U.S.A. New York Branch to enhance regional biodiversity.

BOC's Sydney Branch launches the world's first independently certified multi-currency blue deposit scheme to support sustainable water resources and wastewater management.

BOC Wealth Management has been awarded the carbon neutrality certificate and the CCB (Climate, Community and Biodiversity) label. BOC's Paris Branch led the release of research findings on the European Union's sustainable taxonomy for biodiversity, providing a "Chinese reference" for global financial support for biodiversity. 

Global green governance

Leveraging its extensive global presence, BOC has actively participated in global green governance with its "BOC Green+" brand, contributing to the creation of a clean and beautiful world. It has joined more than 10 ESG-related initiatives, including the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) and the Green Investment Principles (GIP) for the Belt and Road Initiative. As the first Chinese financial institution to join the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), BOC's achievements have been included in the outcomes of the 11th China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue.

BOC's biodiversity-themed bond issuance practices feature in TNFD's Discussion Paper on Nature-related Opportunities.

BOC supports domestic enterprises engaged in green and low-carbon development, as well as energy companies participating in overseas projects, providing comprehensive green financial services for clean energy and energy transition projects in various countries and regions.

Consistently ranked as a top Chinese bank in Bloomberg's "Global Green UoP Loans" and "Global Sustainability-Linked Loans," BOC injects strong momentum into the global low-carbon transition.

Sustainable growth

Integrating biodiversity concepts into its investment and financing decision-making process, BOC has created a comprehensive framework involving institutional development and risk mitigation. 

It has pioneered the issuance of the world's first blue bond by a commercial institution, the first biodiversity-themed green bond by a financial institution, and a sustainability-linked loan with biodiversity conservation indicators, turning the concept of green development into measurable outcomes. 

BOC incorporates customer ESG risk management into its comprehensive risk management, sets its 2030 Green Operations Targets, and promotes carbon emissions peaking and steady reductions through measures ranging from green branch renovations to participation in global initiatives. 

With international achievements such as the Memorandum of Understanding on Green and Biodiversity Financial Cooperation, BOC has fostered a strong synergy for ecological protection, safeguarding nature through concrete actions.

BOC will continue to innovate financial tools for biodiversity conservation to promote harmony between humanity and nature.