BDO Unibank, Inc. wins dual honours at ESGBusiness Awards 2025
The bank expands financing clean energy projects whilst strengthening ethical governance.
BDO Unibank, Inc. was recognised at the ESGBusiness Awards 2025, winning the Renewable Energy Financing Programme Award - Philippines and Good Governance Award - Philippines. These awards highlight the bank’s commitment to strong governance practices and financing the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Its sustainable finance initiative has been in place since 2010, with its Sustainable Finance Framework (SFF) guiding investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, biodiversity, community development, and other eligible projects. Expanded in 2023 to cover 29 categories, the SFF has supported PHP1.04t in financing to date. Its credibility was reinforced by a 2024 Second-Party Opinion from Morningstar Sustainalytics, which affirmed alignment with global and ASEAN principles.
The bank’s 2022 energy transition finance statement also formalised a policy to stop lending to new coal-fired power plant capacity and set targets to halve coal exposure by 2033. Meanwhile, its ASEAN sustainability bond issuances draw in strong investor interest, including a July 2025 offering that was 23 times oversubscribed, raising PHP115b. Proceeds fund projects aligned with the SFF, particularly in clean energy infrastructure.
On governance, BDO Unibank, Inc. aligns with domestic and international standards such as the SEC Code of Corporate Governance, OECD Principles, and the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard. Its board and committees ensure effective oversight across sustainability, risk, and audit functions, embedding accountability and transparency into corporate strategy.
The board’s oversight of sustainability spans four key board committees: the executive committee, corporate governance committee, risk management committee, and board audit committee. All board directors are involved across these committees based on their expertise, ensuring sustainability is embedded in corporate strategy, risk management, and operational oversight.
In 2024, all board members completed the SEC’s Annual Corporate Governance Seminar, achieving a satisfaction rating of 4.82 out of 5, and the bank also engaged PwC to conduct an external board effectiveness review which includes a category on sustainability oversight.
BDO’s integrated approach to good governance strengthens stakeholder trust, enhances the bank’s long-term credibility, and supports the Philippines’ broader sustainable development goals.
The ESGBusiness Awards celebrates companies that are leading the way in building a sustainable future. The awards programme honours businesses that demonstrate outstanding commitment and achievement in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.
The ESGBusiness Awards is presented by ESGBusiness. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2026 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding commitment and achievement in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez-Difuntorum at [email protected].
