CIMB commits RM300 billion to power a greener and more inclusive ASEAN economy by 2030

14 July 2025

The Group strengthens its commitment to enable a just transition across the region

Kuala Lumpur: CIMB Group Holdings Berhad (“CIMB” or “the Group”) today announced a new sustainable finance target of RM300 billion by 2030, reinforcing its commitment to help its clients navigate risks and build resilience in a lower-carbon, more inclusive economy. Sustainable finance is a central pillar of CIMB’s 2030 sustainability roadmap, and is an integral component of its Forward30 strategy. Since introducing its sustainable finance roadmap in 2021, CIMB has progressively raised its ambitions, tripling its sustainable finance target from RM30 billion to RM100 billion for the 2021–2024 period, and now significantly expanding its commitment through 2030. 

Novan Amirudin, Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of CIMB Group, said, “Our ambitious sustainable finance target, which is three times higher than our previous target, is anchored on our purpose of advancing customers and society. We have a critical role to play in supporting our clients in their sustainability journeys, and enabling them to thrive in a low-carbon economy. As one of ASEAN’s leading banks, CIMB is committed to enabling real-world impact by directing capital towards responsible businesses, as well as activities that reduce emissions, protect ecosystems and generate meaningful social outcomes, to ensure no one is left behind."

“We understand the many challenges our clients face, from mandatory reporting requirements like IFRS S2, as well as navigating climate, nature and human rights risks, while responding to increasing customer demands on their supply chains. Our role is to help our clients navigate these complex challenges, enabling them to understand and manage sustainability risks to future-proof their businesses, while opening doors to new business opportunities."

The Group plans to grow its sustainable finance capabilities, with the aim of supporting regional and national plans such as the ASEAN Power Grid, the National Energy Transition Roadmap (“NETR”) and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (“JS-SEZ”). CIMB intends to work closely with clients to adopt responsible business practices, while mitigating the impact of potential carbon taxes, as well as electricity tariff hikes, in order to build long-term resilience and enhanced competitiveness in international markets. By providing sustainability advisory and innovative financial solutions such as transition finance, nature-based carbon finance and blended finance structures, CIMB enables long-term value creation while meeting a growing demand for environmentally and socially aligned financial services.

Ensuring no one is left behind in the transition to a sustainable economy, CIMB is actively supporting SMEs in improving their environmental performance and competitiveness. Through its GreenBizReady programme, the Group provides sustainability-linked financing and advisory services to help businesses adopt more sustainable practices, while enjoying lower financing rates. Meanwhile, under its SMEBizReady programme, CIMB has approved over RM990 million in financing for nearly 500 SMEs in 2024 alone, enabling the adoption of green technologies, automation and digital tools including e-invoicing to help future-proof operations.

For individuals, the Group aims to make sustainable lifestyles more accessible and rewarding through special deals for responsible purchases and preferential financing rates for green homes and vehicles. These efforts are aimed at encouraging more environmentally conscious choices in everyday life, while supporting the shift towards a low-carbon society. In line with its focus on inclusive development, CIMB is also ramping up efforts to support vulnerable groups, underserved communities and the B40 segment. This includes targeted initiatives such as building financial literacy and awareness of scams as well as micro investment and protection facilities.

“Our ambition goes beyond financing – it’s about deepening partnerships, creating real value and ensuring that the transition is not only green, but fair and inclusive,” said Novan.

CIMB was recently ranked first globally, amongst the most influential financial institutions in sustainability in the Financial System Benchmark by the World Benchmarking Alliance, moving up three spots from the inaugural benchmark in 2022. This second iteration of the Benchmark measured 400 FI’s contributions to global goals, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement and ranked their efforts towards a just and sustainable economy.

For more information about CIMB’s sustainability efforts, please visit  https://www.cimb.com/en/sustainability