Finlombarda signs Lombardy protocol for sustainable development

Milan, March 30, 2021 - Finlombarda Spa, the finance company of the Lombardy Region, has signed the Lombardy Protocol for Sustainable Development with which it commits to achieve 'green' operations through actions focused on circular economy, ecological transition and sustainable finance, concretely contributing - together with other entities, associations, companies and universities and research centers already signatories - to the achievement of the objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda in the region for:

1. lasting, inclusive and sustainable economic growth,

2. resilient infrastructure, promotion of innovation, and equitable, responsible and sustainable industrialization,

3. sustainable patterns of production and consumption.

"The Protocol for Sustainable Development - said the Councillor for the Environment and Climate of the Lombardy Region, Raffaele Cattaneo - already sees the signing of 75 Lombardy subjects who have identified and are developing in our region hundreds of actions in favor of sustainability.

It represents, within the Regional Development Plan, the forum in which the Region and its associated regional companies such as Finlombarda, local authorities and representatives of Lombardy society share sustainability objectives. In fact, sustainable development concerns all sectors and is the only possible development model, not only for the environment, but also for the economy and finance".

"Sustainability, which runs along the economic-financial, governance and environmental axes, is to be considered a strategic lever that can contribute to a rapid exit from the crisis. Promoting sustainable development and finance is a priority objective that no one can avoid. To this end, it is necessary to work as a system, establishing an ongoing dialogue and comparison between institutions and financial operators for a more environmentally friendly future: the signing of the Lombardy protocol confirms our willingness to act in this direction" - said Michele Vietti, Chairman of Finlombarda Spa.

Finlombarda Spa is already a member of the "Sustainable Finance" working group of the European Association of Public Banks (EAPB) and of the National Association of Regional Financial Institutions (ANFIR) - with which it is associated - and of the steering committees on Research, Innovation and Competitiveness in the field of Sustainable Development of the Regional Environment and Climate Directorate.

It also supports the Lombardy Region in the identification of initiatives and projects for the Lombardy 2030 section of the Open Innovation platform (https://www.openinnovation.regione.lombardia.it/en/eng) and, as coordinator of Simpler within the European Enterprise Europe Network (https://een.ec.europa.eu/), offers SMEs free accompanying services aimed at improving their level of sustainability and innovation. In addition, the regional finance company has signed an agreement with SACE that provides, among other things, financial support to Lombardy companies in strategic areas for the restart, including "green" investments aimed, for example, at energy transition, reduction of polluting emissions, efficiency of freight transport, circular economy.

Finlombarda Spa is the in-house public financial institution 100% owned by Lombardy Region and a financial intermediary supervised and authorised by the Bank of Italy. In fulfilling its institutional task of contributing to the implementation of economic development programs in the territory, Finlombarda Spa designs, implements and manages financial products and services - based on its own, regional and EU resources - to support Lombardy's businesses, professionals and public administrations.

Finlombarda S.p.A. assists the Lombardy Region in structuring financial operations in strategic areas for the attractiveness and competitiveness of the territory. The General Manager is Giovanni Rallo.