Contributions of businesses to the sustainable development goals: Examination of the banking sector

Today, sustainability has become one of the most important agenda items both nationally and globally. Climate crisis, global warming and depletion of natural resources increasingly emphasize the importance of the concept of sustainability. When sustainability is considered in terms of its environmental, economic and social dimensions, it emerges as a critical concept in all its aspects. While environmental factors include elements such as waste management, carbon footprint reduction, energy and water saving; in the context of economic activities, issues such as sustainable banking practices are also included in the scope of this concept. This study was conducted to examine the contributions of banks operating in the banking sector in Türkiye to the environmental, economic and social dimensions of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to which goals they contribute with their activities. The Integrated Activity Reports for 2023 published on the official websites of 3 public banks and 3 private banks operating in the banking sector in Türkiye were examined. As a result of the study, it is observed that banks contribute to the environmental, economic and social dimensions of their sustainable development goals and that they develop strategies in this area.