Allianz Trade Embeds ESG Credentials in Brand Strategy

Allianz Trade has published its Sustainability Handbook 2025, detailing how the company positions ESG credentials within its corporate identity and client communications. The document outlines strategic approaches to sustainability messaging across underwriting, investment and risk management services.

The company operates as part of the Allianz Group and has aligned its public commitments with a net zero target for 2050. This positioning is supported by integration of ESG considerations into credit risk assessments and product development, which could influence how the brand communicates with business clients navigating regulatory and reputational pressures.

Aylin Somersan Coqui, Chief Executive Officer at Allianz Trade, says sustainability is embedded in how the company operates and supports clients. "Sustainability is not just an ambition: It is a responsibility," says Aylin. "Sustainability has steadily become part of how we operate and how we support our clients and partners."

Brand positioning through frameworks and initiatives

According to Allianz Trade, it uses frameworks including the UN Sustainable Development Goals to structure its external messaging around climate and social impact. The company has developed branded initiatives such as Social2Social and Green2Green, which direct capital towards projects in affordable housing, infrastructure and renewable energy.

Its CAReS platform, developed with Allianz Risk Consultancy, is marketed as a tool for businesses to assess climate risks. The company received a Gold Medal from EcoVadis in 2025, scoring 81 out of 100 and placing it in the top 2% of assessed organisations globally, a credential now prominently featured in external communications and marketing materials. This recognition reflects the company's performance across environmental impact, labour practices, ethics and sustainable procurement – metrics that increasingly influence B2B purchasing decisions.

The EcoVadis assessment evaluates companies on their policies, actions and published results across sustainability criteria. Allianz Trade's score positions it as a leader amongst financial services providers and demonstrates measurable progress in areas that clients and partners prioritise when evaluating service providers.

Procurement and brand reputation

Allianz Trade's 2025 Global Survey of 4,500 companies found that 81% cited ESG as the most important factor when selecting suppliers or production locations. The data suggests that sustainability credentials are becoming a differentiator in B2B marketing, with procurement decisions influenced by environmental and social risk assessments.

The survey findings informed the company's approach to designing solutions that address export growth, sustainability transition, supply chain resilience, investment priorities and AI adoption – areas identified as urgent needs for businesses navigating complex market conditions.

The company requires suppliers to adhere to the Allianz Vendor Code of Conduct and conducts due diligence aligned with the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, which mandates human rights and environmental oversight for companies with at least 1,000 employees operating in Germany. This legislation, formally known as the Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz, requires businesses to identify, prevent and mitigate human rights and environmental risks throughout their supply chains.

Compliance with the Act involves implementing risk management systems, conducting regular assessments and establishing complaint mechanisms. Allianz Trade communicates this compliance framework to partners and clients as part of the brand's commitment to accountability and transparent business practices. The company's adherence to these standards serves as a marketing differentiator in sectors where supply chain integrity has become a commercial imperative.

Piril Kadibesegil Yasar, Head of Sustainability at Allianz Trade, says the company trains staff to function as sustainability ambassadors. This approach aims to extend messaging consistency across the trade finance ecosystem and ensure that sustainability considerations are embedded in client interactions at every level.

"The idea behind this plan is to turn our colleagues into sustainability ambassadors so that, ultimately, we can spread a more sustainable mindset across the entire trade finance ecosystem," says Piril. "We train and empower our people to integrate sustainable thinking into all business areas, thereby creating a ripple effect that reaches our clients, brokers and partners. We are convinced that this is the best way to drive meaningful change within the industry."

Carbon messaging and client engagement

Energy transition is positioned as a core element of Allianz Trade's brand narrative. The company has achieved a 65% reduction in emissions per employee compared to its 2019 baseline and uses this data in corporate communications to reinforce sustainability claims. This reduction has been achieved through operational changes including office energy efficiency improvements, reduced business travel and strategic procurement decisions.

Its operational strategy includes 100% renewable electricity usage across its facilities and electrification of its vehicle fleet, metrics that are highlighted in client-facing materials and sustainability reports. The company markets Green2Green as a solution for businesses seeking insurance and guarantees for low-carbon technologies, including renewable energy, biofuels and electric transportation.

The Green2Green initiative provides tailored financial solutions for projects that contribute to decarbonisation and climate resilience. By offering specialised products for sustainable infrastructure, Allianz Trade positions itself as an enabler of the energy transition whilst building a portfolio aligned with its net zero commitments.

"Since the launch of our Green2Green offering, 98 policies have been issued across 16 countries and 3 continents," says Piril. "From biogas plants and solar parks to energy highways and decarbonisation projects, we cover a wide range of sectors and initiatives at global scale. And with the recent launch of Social2Social Specialty Credit, we are now going beyond climate goals to include social responsibility in our sustainability commitments."

Projects supported include the NeXtWind wind energy expansion in Germany and renewable developments by ONDE S.A. in Poland. These case studies are used in marketing materials to demonstrate the company's involvement in clean energy infrastructure and its capacity to underwrite complex sustainability-linked projects across diverse markets.

AI tools and analytics

Florence Lecoutre, Group Board Member in charge of Sustainability, Data Analytics & AI, Human Resources, Compliance and Communications at Allianz Trade, says the company has strengthened its sustainability insights and tools in 2025.

"In 2025, we strengthened the design of our sustainability-related insights and tools," says Florence. "For instance, we equipped our analysts with enhanced sector outlooks and practical tools for more forward-looking, regulation-aware assessment of transition and physical risks. This helps us provide clearer perspectives to clients and better integrate sustainability considerations into our commercial and risk activities."

The ReLoC model uses large language models and external data to classify companies based on their involvement in low-carbon technologies. This supports product innovation and regulatory reporting, which could inform how the company differentiates its services in competitive markets. The model analyses company descriptions, financial reports and news sources to identify businesses engaged in renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport and circular economy activities.

Partnerships with organisations such as ECOFACT enhance ESG integration in credit assessments, providing sector-specific regulatory insights. These tools are marketed as resources for businesses seeking to align their strategies with sustainability requirements and navigate evolving compliance landscapes.