Anna Gabrielsson, Sustainability Manager at Sparbanken Alingsås answers three questions.
Anna Gabrielsson is sustainability manager at Sparbanken Alingsås since 2022. Sparbanken Alingsås is an independent savings bank that is 100 percent owned by Sparbanksstiftelsen Alingsås. The bank has about 130 employees and has bank branches in Alingsås, Herrljunga, Vårgårda, Lerum and Sollebrunn. The bank carried out Certification Sustainability in the financial sector for all staff and the board in 2021, and has subsequently made the annual knowledge updates in 2022-2023.
2023-05-03
1. Hi Anna! You were an early adopter of broad-based training in the bank, and have continued to update knowledge - why has this been important to you?
Whenwe got started with sustainability work in earnest through a project in 2021, we conducted workshops with employees, management and the board and then came to the conclusion that knowledge is the key to success in sustainability work. Knowledge creates awareness and awareness creates commitment, which we believe is what is required for sustainability to be integrated throughout the business and for each employee to take responsibility for the issues in their role.
2. There is no one who does not work with sustainability today ... but in what way do customers of your bank notice that you focus on sustainability issues?
We arecareful not to "wear out" the word sustainability, but only include it when we have something to say. Therefore, I hope that our customers understand that there is substance in what we say when we communicate sustainability. We also get a lot of help from our savings bank concept, where we aim to increase our focus on sustainability. If you come to us for advice, sustainability is a natural part of the conversation with the customer and we offer both sustainable investments and green loans. When it comes to our corporate customers, we want them to see us as an important partner who helps and supports them in their transition.
3. In a world characterized by war, economic uncertainty and successive crises, how do you see the future of sustainability issues?
Everything is connected or affects each other. The war is terrible and the economic crisis is tough for many, but both crises make us stop and think about our common future on this planet. In addition, the crises have accelerated the energy transition, which benefits both our wallets and the environment. I also see how at supranational level in the EU, for example, we are now starting to take historic decisions on, for example, climate laws that will ensure that we cannot lose momentum on these issues. I hope and believe that the future for sustainability issues is already here.
Here you can read more about Sparbanken Alingsås sustainability work:
https://www.sparbankenalingsas.se/om-oss/hallbar-utveckling-hallbarhet.html
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