The Riksbank's focus areas for its sustainability work

The Sveriges Riksbank Act states that the Riksbank shall identify threats to sustainable development that affect the conditions for its activities. Sustainability refers to long-term economic, social and environmental development. The Riksbank Act states that in its asset management the Riksbank shall attach particular weight to how sustainable development can be promoted, as long as this does not adversely affect the objectives of asset management or the principles of consideration for the Riksbank's tasks and low-risk management. The Riksbank shall promote a well-functioning payment system and sustainability aspects are also important for this task. In addition, the Riksbank, like all organisations, needs to take sustainability into account in its own activities. For example, the Riksbank works continuously to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from its own activities, and to generate as little negative impact on the environment and people as possible.

Focus areas in climate work

The Riksbank has identified a number of focus areas for its work on sustainability that concerns climate-related risks. 

The Riksbank works to identify, analyse and manage climate-related risks. This climate analysis is an integral part of day-to-day operations, as threats to sustainable development affect the Riksbank’s tasks in the same way as other types of risks and shocks.

The Riksbank contributes to increasing knowledge about the effects of climate change on the economy and the financial system. It does this by publishing its own analyses and by participating in international working groups. The Riksbank also contributes to other research on the issue, for example by funding research into sustainability issues related to the Riksbank’s activities.

In line with the requirements of the Riksbank Act, the Riksbank takes sustainability into account in asset management and in its internal work. Among other things, this means that sustainability considerations have been incorporated into the management of the foreign exchange reserves and that the Riksbank is developing the reporting of the carbon footprint of the financial assets on its balance sheet. To the extent that risks related to sustainability arise in the asset management, these are managed. Like all organisations, the Riksbank also needs to ensure that its own activities generate as little negative environmental and climate impact as possible.

Through these focus areas, the Riksbank promotes sustainable development within its mandate.