As a development finance institution, DEG is committed to operating sustainably and resiliently. This task is all the more important to us given the growing risks in the current environment. As well as geoeconomic challenges, these include environmental and sustainability risks such as extreme weather and biodiversity and resource loss, which account for roughly half of the top 10 risks, as highlighted by the 10-year perspective set out in the Global Risks Report 2026 (page 9). Social inequality, another sustainability risk, also ranks consistently among the top 10. It is therefore crucial that we act quickly and in a transformative way.
We invest in private-sector enterprises in developing and emerging-market countries with the aim of making a substantial and demonstrable contribution to the global sustainability agenda.
With 3 million people employed fairly, EUR 185 billion in local income generated and 35 TWh of electricity produced from renewable energy, the figures speak for themselves, illustrating how our joint commitment to sustainable business practices creates local development opportunities.
We are taking consistent steps to implement our Impact.Climate.Returns. strategy:
We are on a solid course towards achieving net zero by 2040.
Our updated impact management approach achieved an excellent result in external certification under the “Operating Principles for Impact Management”.
As an organisation, we work cross-functionally to achieve greater contributions to transformation. In practice, this involves teams from different disciplines pooling their knowledge, breaking down silos and developing solutions together.
We have renewed our commitments to high-impact, climate-friendly business practices and strengthened our approach to promote private business in line with good international environmental and social practice.
Transformation remains our focus.
We are highly motivated by the high levels of trust and interest of our customers in working with us on their transformation journeys. In close cooperation with our subsidiary DEG Impulse, which advises and supports companies in relation to transformation matters, we initiated more than 80 transformation projects in 2025, including in the areas of climate and resource protection, sustainable supply chains, human resources and talent development. This has enabled us to strengthen the resilience and future viability of private enterprises and create opportunities for local people.
Let’s work together to further strengthen our commitment to the global sustainability agenda – a cause worth fighting for. We hope you find this an informative and interesting read!
