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Sustainability

For us, environmental and social sustainability are fundamental aspects of achieving desired outcomes and are consistent with our long-term growth strategy. Our credit policy gives priority to projects that foster environmental and social sustainability.

The Group finances projects and businesses that have a clear strategy of managing social and environmental resources responsibly. We apply international best practices, (including IFC Performance Standards) and adhere to international treaties and conventions, which have been ratified by the respective governments in our markets of operation.

We aspire to become a sustainability champion in the region with an enduring commitment to climate action. Our social investment strategy focuses on creating enablers of social transformation by touching the lives of vulnerable communities.


GCF accreditation and opportunities

CRDB Bank Group is accredited with the UN Green Climate Fund (GCF) as a financial intermediary and executing entity for green projects in Tanzania. We are at the forefront of championing projects that are compatible with the country programs and authorized to create investment frameworks to access various financial instruments such as concessional loans, guarantees, and equity to achieve intended objectives.   

GCF supports the efforts of developing countries in responding to the challenges of Climate Change, i.e. in reducing or limiting greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to challenges of climate change and its impact. Through GCF, our Group has a free hand to formulate project ideas (compatible with the country programme) to access various instruments amounting to $250 million per single project.


Environmental and Social Safeguards

To ensure effective environmental and social management, the Group has a set of action policy and procedures that are implemented concurrently with our other operational and existing risk management procedures. We have a dedicated unit called Sustainable Finance Unit (SFU) domiciled at the Directorate of Business Transformation, which oversees the implementation of climate action projects based on the Group’s social and environmental policies and procedures and, in adherence to international treaties, including implementation of Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS).

As a matter of policy, CRDB Bank Group finances projects and businesses that manage their social and environmental impacts responsibly. We independently conduct environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) based on the Tanzanian Environmental Management Act of 2004 and its EIA & Audit regulations of 2005 (and its revised EIA and Audit-amend Regulation 2018). Further assessment is done following adopted international best practices, particularly IFC 8 Performance Standards to assess and manage environmental and social impacts.


Gender Mainstreaming

Our Group has various initiatives for gender consideration and empowerment. Over the past two years, we have continued to adopt gender mainstreaming through a comprehensive policy, which requires a gender action plan during project preparation, especially those supported by the UN-GCF. We also support consideration of gender in the design and development of  solutions such as saving schemes and loan products.   

On leadership, we have a mentorship programme dubbed SHE Initiative, which supports women in achieving their goals in leadership and career growth.  


Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs)

With the benefit of hindsight, we know that in the course of implementing a project, there are likelihoods for conflict, especially social ones. Our Group has adopted the Grievance Redress Mechanism, which ensures smooth handling of all environmental and social complaints that may occur during project implementation of projects especially those financed by GCF.

We continue to improve the complaints register and case management systems to maximize transparency and accessibility of complaints from vulnerable communities and project’s affected parties.


Environmental, Health, Security and Social responsibilities

CRDB Bank Group is an ambassador of the environment and has a strong environmental and social management system. We are committed to supporting environmental conservation and climate change action through Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives that are consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Regarding security, we have a robust Corporate Security and Business Continuity Management (BCMs) department, which oversees all Bank’s internal security, occupational health and safety during our day-to-day activities and continuity mechanism during any disruptions.

In terms of health, the Group provides good health and life insurance to staff, their dependents and the public. We also take care of all matters related to human health information, including wellness programmes such as cancer, pandemics, HIV and promoting active lifestyles.

Our efforts to protect our customers and vulnerable communities from the adverse impact of climate change are demonstrated through various ways such as financing food security, access to clean and safe water and WASH programmes. We also conduct awareness campaigns to sensitize staff and the community on sustainable activities.

We also ensure proper Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is conducted for all projects financed by us. Additionally, the SFU is responsible for providing awareness and capacity building to internal lending staff and all parties for effective ESMS.

  • CRDB Bank’s Green Climate Fund Approved Project Preparation Facility (PPF) for the Tanzania Agriculture Climate Adaptation Technology Deployment Programme – Download
  • CRDB Bank Resettlement Policy Framework for Agriculture Climate Adaptation – Download
  • New Housing Policy – Download
  • CRDB Bank Environmental and Social Management Framework for Agriculture Climate Adaptation – Download
  • Green, Social, and Sustainability Bond Framework – Download                                                            
  • Second-Party Opinion: Green, Social and Sustainability Bond Framework – Download   
  • Request for Proposals: Dedicated Legal and Financial Technical Assistance – Download                                          
  • Expression of Interest (EOI) for Provision of Climate Change Adaptation Technologies – Download      

ESS Disclosure Report for National Food Reserve Agency - Tanzania   – Download 

  • Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Grain Storage Facilities - Babati, Manyara Region – Download 
  • Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Grain Storage Facilities - Njombe Region – Download 
  • Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Grain Storage Facilities - Songwe Region – Download 
  • Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Grain Storage Facilities - Ruvuma Region – Download 
  • Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Grain Storage Facilities - Shinyanga Region – Download 
  • Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Grain Storage Facilities - Katavi Region – Download 
  • Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Grain Storage Facilities - Rukwa Region – Download 
  • Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Grain Storage Facilities - Dodoma Region – Download 
  • ESDD Report - National Food Reserve Agency – Download 


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