Our business is governed by a set of policies and instructions. Within the sustainability area, we abide by the Sustainability Policy, the Environmental Policy, the Human Rights Policy and the Tax Policy. SEB's position statements and sector polices provide guidelines on best practice as well as on the international conventions and standards that we encourage companies to follow. SEB is also guided by other SEB Group policies.
Sustainability Policy
This policy defines the framework for sustainability in SEB and provides a governing platform for SEB’s sustainability work for all business decisions, including investment and credit decisions.
Thematic policies
Environmental Policy
SEB's Environmental Policy addresses the impacts that we or our business partners may have on living and non-living natural systems, including ecosystems, land, air and water. In order to address such impacts, SEB has developed this Environmental Policy to describe SEB's management of Climate, Water and Nature.
Social and Human Rights Policy
As a bank, SEB has the ability to contribute to human rights, for example through financing social infrastructure and engage in responsible lending. SEB acknowledges the social and human rights challenges that the world is facing and the adverse impact that businesses can have. In order to address such impacts, we have developed this Social and Human Rights Policy to describe our management of these areas.
Sector policies
SEB’s sector policies provide guidelines on industry good practice that SEB expects companies to follow as well as SEB restrictions on financing and investing in certain activities. The sector policies, updated in 2025, are part of the overall Sustainability policy framework described in the Sustainability Policy
Agriculture, Fishing, Aquaculture and Animal Welfare
The Agricultural, Aquaculture and Fishing sectors are essential parts of many economies and for global food supply. The shift to sustainable agriculture, aquaculture and fishing practices is a necessity to secure sustainable food production, decrease carbon emissions, and reduce negative impacts on the environment and societies.
Policy on Agriculture, Fishing, Aquaculture and Animal Welfare (PDF)
Arms and Defence
SEB Group recognises and subscribes to the right of every nation to defend itself, as stated in the United Nations charter. The ability to do so requires access to means to fulfil that right. At the same time the Arms and Defence sector is naturally linked to complex geopolitical and ethical considerations.
Forestry, Pulp & Paper and Timber
Forests are vital for both society and planet. Besides providing resources for various production processes and industries, habitats for Biodiversity and jobs for society, forests are also the world’s second largest carbon storage. If managed well, forests are a renewable resource greatly contributing to climate change mitigation.
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are a major part of global energy systems today and the largest driver of climate change, a significant contributor to local pollution and have direct and indirect impacts on nature. SEB recognises the importance of reduction in demand for fossil fuels, in combination with rapid growth of sustainable and affordable alternatives.
In SEB’s Policy on Fossil Fuels we describe our approach to coal, oil & gas and peat, and how we engage with companies in the fossil fuel sector to support a resilient and orderly transition to a low carbon economy while safeguarding energy security in our home markets.
SEB’s Policy on Fossil Fuels is updated annually and is adopted by the Board of Directors.
Gambling
Gambling is considered controversial from a social sustainability perspective due to concerns related to its societal impact.
Mining and Metals
The Mining and Metals Sector plays an important role in the development of our economy and society. Many metals are key inputs for the economic transformation towards a low carbon society. However, the industry can also have some potentially negative environmental and human rights impacts, if not addressed correctly.
Electricity and Renewable Energy
Electricity & Renewable Energy are important prerequisites for carbon neutral economic growth. However, if not handled responsibly, the development, production, distribution and storage of electricity and renewable energy can have negative impacts on the environment and society.
Shipping
Shipping is the most carbon efficient means of long-distance transportation in comparison to land-based road transportation and aviation. SEB Group recognises the importance of decarbonization of this hard to abate sector and the need to decouple the link between growing shipping emissions and global trade.
Tobacco & Tobacco-Free Nicotine Products
Tobacco and Tobacco-Free Nicotine Products can have significant negative health impacts. Marketing and distribution of such products is also legally restricted in various ways not least towards young people. SEB Group exercises a restrictive approach to Tobacco and Tobacco-Free Nicotine Products.
Transportation
Transportation and mobility are vital for economic growth, connectivity, and accessibility, playing a crucial role in various aspects of society. However, transitioning towards a sustainable transportation system faces significant challenges, in order to achieve the target of the Paris Agreement.
Real Estate and Construction
The Real Estate and Construction sectors are important industries in terms of providing residential and commercial properties. Due to the energy consumption as well as material use and waste, the sectors can play a major role in the transformation towards a low carbon and circular economy. At the same time, the construction sector is exposed to social risks in terms of potentially poor working conditions and informal labour as well as risks of corruption.
Other group policies
Inclusion and Diversity Policy
We are convinced that inclusion and diversity are crucial for our long term prosperity, innovation and growth and for our ability to deliver world class service to our customers and society at large. The policy highlights our ambition and commitments, and covers SEB’s leaders and employees.
Tax Policy
SEB plays a significant role in society, contributing to economic growth and prosperity both as an employer and through providing customers with products and services. In all of this, the subject of taxes and tax governance is relevant and important.
Policy on Integration of Sustainability in Investment Decisions and Advice
SEB works actively to integrate sustainability risk and impact in investment decisions and advice. We here describe how sustainability risks and adverse sustainability impacts are addressed in relation to investment decisions and investment and insurance advice in SEB Group.
Code of Conduct for Suppliers
SEB believes that it is important that its suppliers act responsibly from an environmental, social and governance (ESG) perspective in the communities where they are present.
Active engagement in sustainability-related questions will bring benefits to our customers, our people and the society at large.
Anti-Corruption Policy
SEB does not use or tolerate unlawful or immoral business practices such as bribery and does not tolerate becoming involved in or associated with corruption under any circumstances.
SEB’s Anti-Corruption Policy define the framework for anti-corruption in SEB and establish principles and measures for managing corruption risks.
