### Our Sustainability Governance Structure
###### Strong corporate governance and risk management are the foundation of a sustainable business and are vital for long-term success. At OCBC, we are committed to upholding business integrity by integrating sustainability across the Board, Board Committees, Management and functional groups. This holistic approach enables us to pursue our sustainability ambitions through our Sustainability Framework.
At OCBC, we recognise that a strong governance structure is essential to achieving our sustainability goals. Our approach focuses on two key objectives: strengthening sustainability oversight at a strategic level and fostering cross-functional collaboration to achieve impactful sustainability outcomes. With sustainability firmly embedded as a strategic priority, the Board of Directors provides oversight and guidance on our sustainability imperatives. Our Group Chief Sustainability Officer (GCSO) remains pivotal in leading the execution of these imperatives, ensuring alignment across the Group and supporting our clients in their transition to net zero.
###### Board of Directors
- Provides oversight for the overall sustainability agenda and strategy at OCBC
###### Board Oversight
###### Board Sustainability Committee
- Supports the Board in its oversight of the Bank's sustainability matters in conjunction with other relevant Board Committees
- Provides strategic direction on sustainability issues, with a focus on climate and environmental matters
###### Sustainability Council
- Oversees the Group's Sustainability Strategy and provides approval for key strategic initiatives relating to sustainability, with a focus on climate and environmental matters
###### Management Oversight
###### Sustainability Steering Committee
- Supports the Sustainability Council in the alignment, execution and reporting of key sustainability-related outcomes and initiatives for the Group, across all entities
### Our Sustainability Governance Structure
###### Board
The Board takes ultimate responsibility for, and sets the strategic direction of, the organisation's sustainability efforts at OCBC. Recognising the critical importance of sustainability matters, the Board Sustainability Committee (BSC) is a dedicated committee tasked with overseeing sustainability issues alongside other Board Committees. This reflects the growing significance of sustainability considerations in shaping our strategy and operations.
The BSC, chaired by an independent director, convenes at least twice a year to provide strategic guidance on sustainability matters, placing particular emphasis on climate change-related and environmental issues. In its discussions, the BSC addresses key topics such as the Bank's progress towards net-zero targets, decarbonisation initiatives for its physical operations, sectoral sustainability trends including biodiversity, and alignment with sustainability and climate-related reporting standards and frameworks.
As part of its responsibilities, the BSC oversees the Bank's net-zero strategy and tracks progress against established targets. It also evaluates decarbonisation strategies for our six priority sectors to support clients in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Furthermore, the committee approves and manages material ESG factors, ensuring responsiveness to emerging sustainability challenges. It also supervises the Bank's sustainability reporting, including climate-related disclosures, to uphold transparency and alignment with industry best practices.
The Board Risk Management Committee (BRMC) supports the Board in its oversight of the effective management of all risks facing the Bank, including ESG risks such as climate change. ESG risk management is detailed in our Responsible Financing Framework and Policies, which are regularly reviewed and approved by the BRMC.[(5)]
To ensure the Board stays abreast of current and emerging sustainability issues, including climate change, all members have received comprehensive sustainability training.[(6)] The Bank also continues to offer capacity-building and training on sustainability topics across all levels of the organisation, ensuring that sustainability-related competencies are embedded throughout our operations.
###### Management
Sustainability Council
The Sustainability Council (SC), a management committee formed to support both the Board of Directors and the BSC, plays a pivotal role in executing the Bank's Sustainability Strategy. Chaired by the Group Chief Executive Officer, the SC consists of senior management and is supported by the Sustainability Steering Committee (SSC). The SC is responsible for overseeing the Group's Sustainability Strategy and its implementation, which includes identifying and assessing sustainability-related risks and opportunities, with a focus on climate and environmental considerations. The SC also ensures that material sustainability risks and opportunities are monitored through appropriate metrics and effectively managed. Additionally, the SC meets at least three times a year to monitor and manage the Bank's sustainability performance and provide strategic direction for the SSC.
###### Sustainability Steering Committee
One year in from its formation, the SSC plays a crucial role in supporting the SC to align, execute and report on key sustainability outcomes and initiatives across the Group. Chaired by the GCSO, the SSC comprises key leaders from the Bank's business units and key subsidiaries, who help to drive sustainability initiatives across the Group.
The SSC is responsible for recommending and implementing the Group's Sustainability Strategy, updating the SC on the progress made and providing advice on sustainability-related matters. With representatives from various business units, the SSC identifies climate-related risks and opportunities, ensuring they are integrated into our decision-making processes and addressed at the highest levels of the organisation.
In 2024, our major overseas subsidiaries in Malaysia, Indonesia and Greater China established local sustainability steering committees to lead and execute sustainability efforts in their respective countries. Members of these local sustainability steering committees are represented in the SSC at the Group level, so that initiatives at the local country level are aligned with the imperatives at the Group level.
###### Management of Sustainability Key Performance Indicators
The performance scorecards of the Group CEO and key senior executives are tied to specific, time-bound sustainability targets including climate-related ones. These performance scorecards are key elements of performance management tied to the determination of incentive compensation for executives. From climate action, sustainable financing, talent management and wellbeing, workplace diversity to fair dealing, these targets cover material ESG themes across the Group, and are in turn cascaded down to the relevant business units and employee performance scorecards. We believe that the accountability and ownership that this approach fosters are critical to ensuring the success of our Sustainability Strategy and its implementation.