Climate and Terra Approach

Terra Approach


As a bank, one of the main ways ING Group can impact climate action is through our financing. We aim to steer the most carbon-intensive parts of our portfolio towards reaching net zero by 2050. We combine a portfolio-level approach (called Terra) to the carbon-intensive sectors we’re active in with data-driven client engagement that strives to support companies in accelerating their own net-zero transitions.

With Terra, we measure the emissions associated with clients active in the most carbon-intensive parts of the sector value chains, and use this information to benchmark our clients’ activities against the relevant science-based decarbonisation scenarios. Additionally, by measuring the absolute financed emissions of our portfolio, we perform hotspot analyses to monitor our loan book, identify risks and opportunities, and define next steps for expansion of Terra's scope.

In order to create impact we focus on the most carbon-intensive sectors we finance. The methodologies we use concentrate on the part of the value chain which accounts for the bulk of the impact on the climate system, and on which decarbonisation efforts must be concentrated to spur the entire sector to fall into alignment. The specific boundaries of the activities that we cover per sector are defined by the methodologies adopted and the available scientific scenarios. Focusing on these specific sectors and the specific parts of their respective value chains means that we concentrate our efforts on supporting our most carbon-intensive clients in their transitions.

As ING Group, our Climate Progress Update details our progress and targets on climate alignment in the Terra sectors in our loan book. Click here to access the ING Group's Climate Progress Update 2025.

ING’s Terra approach makes use of various methodologies. We co-created Terra in 2018 with the 2˚ Investing Initiative (2DII), a global think tank developing climate metrics in financial markets. At that point in time, the main methodology used to set targets was the Paris Agreement Capital Transition Assessment (PACTA) for Banks. It looks at the technology shift that’s needed across certain sectors to slow global warming and then measures this against the actual technology clients are using – or plan on using in the future.

At ING Türkiye, we continue to bring our global experience to our country, expand our product range, and work towards a sustainable world. We are advancing within the framework of our global ESG policy, working to reduce our own footprint, and contributing to this process in Türkiye with our international experience through our international memberships and affiliated indices.

As society transitions to a low-carbon economy, so do our clients and so does ING. We finance a lot of sustainable activities, but we finance more that isn't sustainable. See how we're progressing on climate.

Environmental Programme


At ING, we are working with all our might to build a sustainable future under the motto "Sustainability is at the heart of our business", and we are pioneering the discovery of new ways to do business that are respectful to the environment and society. To achieve our mission, while building a sustainable future, we ensure that the impact of our company and our customers on the environment and society are in line with our sustainability criteria and responsibilities by actively using banking, which is our core business. In this context, we implement new practices, measure, and improve them continuously.  As a global company, we have an opportunity to do more to offer a better future to all living beings on earth and to have an impact all over the world, and we are aware of this responsibility.

To fulfill this responsibility, we prioritize climate action at ING, and we set an example by working towards net zero in our own operations first. In this context, ING Türkiye gives priority to reducing consumption, providing renewable energy, and conducting Energy Studies at our branches, General Directorate, and additional service buildings.

Within the scope of ING Group policies, we follow the progress of sustainable development through regular reporting.

ING Group has been producing reports on the Global Environmental Program in all the countries it operates in, and these reports were introduced in Türkiye in 2009. At that time, consumption items such as electricity, water, and fuel were reported, and today we have a set of over 100 report questions.  As a group, ING is one of the companies that signed the Paris Climate Agreement in 2016. In this context, while we initially carried out this reporting at the end of each year, as of 2019 we increased the frequency of reporting to twice a year, and to quarterly in 2022, enabling us to more frequently control CO² values. In the global report, which includes the steps taken and progress made in Türkiye, not only utilities, but also data on any consumption item or situation that affects the environment, such as electronic waste and paper usage, is collected. 

We are taking action to improve resource efficiency and sustainability 

One of the largest sources of carbon emissions in the world is energy consumption. Therefore, as ING, we apply regular monitoring, reporting, and reduction strategies in our global operations to understand and reduce our energy use. 

At ING Türkiye, our strategic efforts in this area range from using building space more efficiently to increasing the energy efficiency and use of renewable energy in our buildings and data centers. In addition to electricity consumption, we also reduce our CO2 emissions resulting from electricity consumption by sourcing electricity from local companies that provide renewable energy in Türkiye.

In addition, business travel also has a significant impact on carbon emissions. To this end, ING Türkiye has made remarkable strides in reducing emissions from our fleet vehicles in recent years. Our efforts have focused on promoting the adoption of electric vehicles and opting for vehicles with lower fuel consumption. Additionally, we have successfully curtailed emissions by minimizing the number of personnel owning vehicles. In addition, we see the significant decrease in air travel due to the pandemic as a positive result for us, as there was no meaningful increase compared to the past. In this respect, after the end of the pandemic, we will continue to use our widespread remote working tools, leaving behind our travel habits of the past. 

On the other hand, although it occupies a relatively small place compared to many sectors, ING aims to monitor and reduce its water consumption

From the perspective of efficient use and sustainability of resources, consumption of paper and waste management is also a priority for us. In Türkiye, ING works with an independent environmental consultant to check the compliance criteria for waste management and, as a result, we professionally manage our waste management, recycling, and data collection processes.

In order to reduce carbon emissions, ING Türkiye is also implementing effective area management. By reducing areas that we consider inefficient, we save energy and contribute to a reduction in our carbon footprint. In this context, we have saved approximately 3,000 sq m by leaving the office floors in IOTM and approximately 3,500 sq m by stopping the activities in our warehouse.

We are working towards Net-Zero 

In February 2021, we commissioned a 380 kWp solar energy power plant on the roof of our Operations Center in Kahramanmaraş, which is capable of producing approximately 40% of the electricity consumed annually at the facility.  

In addition, to increase energy consumption efficiency, we have replaced our 6 old UPS devices at our General Directorate and Kahramanmaraş Operations Center buildings with devices that have an energy efficiency of over 96%

We have replaced all lighting products used in our General Directorate building with LED products, and today we use LED lighting products in 90% of our branches, while continuing to transform the rest of our branches. 

We use 100% fresh-air ventilation systems that have heat recovery capability at our General Directorate, Kahramanmaraş Operations Center, and branches, and we also use high-efficiency devices for heating, cooling, and ventilation. We also save 14% of heat by using heat insulation on the back of all our buildings' frames and cladding. We regularly perform flue gas analysis on boilers and furnaces used for heating and ensure proper and efficient combustion to control waste consumption. We also regularly maintain mechanical equipment such as air conditioning and ventilation devices to prevent excessive electricity consumption due to neglect. 

In our branches, printers are set to automatically print double-sided for documents required for customer transactions. For waste management, we work with an independent environmental consultant who checks compliance with environmental legislation and ensures that hazardous waste is disposed of in accordance with laws and regulations without harming the environment. 

We are sharing our Work Hygiene Report, which we prepare within the framework of occupational safety, by performing lighting, thermal comfort, dust, and instant CO2, CO, O2 measurements annually.

In addition, as ING Türkiye, we have successfully completed the Integrated Management System audits by obtaining ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and ISO 50001 Energy Management System certificates. In this context, we have registered the management approach to reduce environmental impacts and efficient use of energy and carbon emissions with international standards.

Our climate approach


The urgency of climate change is only growing and ING wants to play a leading role in accelerating the global transition to a low-carbon economy.

At ING, our ambition is to help accelerate the transition – because it matters to us as a bank, to our clients and customers, and to society. Our role in the global transition is focused on the three areas where we believe we can make the greatest impact, based on what needs to happen in the world:

What needs to happen in the global transition?

1. Driving down emissions:

Supporting businesses in their transition to net zero

To drive down emissions and align with global climate goals, we believe that the most significant contribution we can make is through engaging with our clients to help them accelerate their transition.

For clients in the most carbon-intensive sectors, we realise their ability to shift can make the greatest difference. In 2018, ING Group started what we call our Terra approach to set pathways for key sectors to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

The intermediate 2030 science-based targets that were set under Terra have been validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), according to SBTi’s updated framework for banks (known as FINT Criteria V2), which came into effect end-November 2024. See full details of ING's SBTi-validated targets.

We’re also continually strengthening how we engage with our clients as they move to implementation of their climate transition planning.

As society transitions to a low-carbon economy, so do our clients and so does ING. We finance a lot of sustainable activities, but we finance more that isn't sustainable. See how we're progressing.


2. Building up a sustainable future:

Financing technologies and solutions for a low-carbon world

To make the energy transition a reality, there’ll need to be trillions of euros of investment. Banks have a role to play here too, in financing the new low-carbon technology to meet net-zero goals – like renewable power, green hydrogen, energy efficiency, and energy storage. 

Whether our clients are developing breakthrough technologies, new approaches to energy, waste and water management, or constructing green buildings and infrastructure, right across the bank we’re working to enable them to pursue their sustainability ambitions. We are using innovative financing solutions. ING Group pioneered the world’s first sustainability linked loan back in 2017 and we have leading-edge efforts today in working to make the supply chains in and across industries more sustainable.


3. Including everyone in the transition:

Finding new ways to enable people to stay a step ahead on climate

At ING, we believe that most people want to play a positive part in the transition to a more sustainable future. We aim to keep finding new ways to enable people to stay a step ahead on climate.

Click here to access the ING Group's Climate Progress Update 2025.

Climate Adaptation


At ING Türkiye, we believe in the transformative power of the financial sector in achieving a sustainable world. 

Under the Climate Action heading, we work to make our operations sustainable and reduce our carbon emissions, and we establish local and global partnerships. We also support our stakeholders both in terms of access to sustainable funds and loans, and through education, awareness, and guidance.

We structure our credit volume in accordance with ING Group's Terra Approach and the 1.5 C degree target of the Paris Climate Agreement. In this context, when providing loans to Terra sectors, which have the highest levels of greenhouse gas emissions, we consider the impact on global warming. 

In line with the ING Group’s Climate Progress Update 2024, our priorities in conjunction with the Group's global synergy, are:

  1. We’ve taken important steps to improve how we engage with our clients to steer and support their progress in the transition.
  2. We want to work with our clients on their climate transitions.
  3. We’re taking new steps on our energy financing.
  4. We’ve expanded our Terra approach to more sectors.
  5. To successfully fight climate change, action is needed at all levels of society. That’s why advocacy and collaboration are such a big part of our approach.

Click here to access the ING Group's Climate Progress Update 2025.