Our approach

Sustainability Principles

The EDB's mandate includes the goal of promoting the economic integration and sustainable growth of its member states. The Bank acknowledges the interdependency of sustainable development, long-term economic growth and human prosperity. The Bank aims, therefore, to increase the sustainability of the financed projects, promotes the implementation of national sustainable development priorities, and helps clients implement best ESG practices.

The Bank adheres to six interlinked sustainability principles:

Sustainable Development Goals

The EDB plays a significant role in increasing the positive impact on the environment and society in its member states. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are embedded across the Bank's mission, namely, its participation in the enhanced economic growth of its member states. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, using natural resources responsibly and efficiently, increasing availability of clean water and energy, creating resilient infrastructure and social facilities, and boosting jobs with decent working conditions – these are the benefits of the projects the EDB seeks to support and prioritise.

According to the EDB Strategy for 2022–2026, the Bank supports its member states in their journey towards achieving the SDGs through close partnership with public authorities, other development banks, and private businesses, providing technical assistance and expertise, and co-financing programmes, technologies, and projects.

When forming a pool of promising projects, the EDB conducts a standalone assessment of their compliance with the SDGs covering not only the direct results of project implementation but also indirect impact on the economy, environment and society. Contribution to the relevant SDGs is determined by specific indicators included in the country strategies of each member state.

Sustainability Committee

EDB's Sustainability Committee has been functioning since 2023. The Committee serves as a forum for discussion of the Bank's strategic objectives related to sustainable development and exercises effective stewardship and oversight at the highest governance level. The Committee enables faster decision-making related to the Bank's sustainable development activities, as well as helps coordinate joint work, consider cross-functional tasks, and collectively discuss the Bank's key areas. The Committee consists of the EDB's Board members, heads of divisions and invited specialists.

ESG Ratings

ESG ratings are a research assessment that helps investors obtain a reliable and independent profile of an organisation in terms of its exposure to environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities. Furthermore, ESG ratings are an important self-assessment tool for the EDB: they enable the identification of growth areas and systematic improvement of sustainable development processes and approaches.

RepRisk is an international reputational and ESG risk assessment agency that analyses environmental, social, and governance factors in organisations. In 2026, the agency upgraded the EDB's rating from BB to BBB, thus indicating the strengthening of the Bank's resilience and a reduction in the level of ESG risks.

CCXGF is a Chinese green finance agency specialising in ESG assessment and rating of organisations.

In 2026, the agency assigned the Bank an ESG rating of A- based on its 2025 performance assessment. The agency noted the systematic integration of ESG into the Bank's strategy and its comprehensive approach to sustainable development.