Jakarta. State-owned lender Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) received the Environment & Sustainability Award at the ESG Appreciation 2025 event hosted by B-Universe at the Mulia Hotel Senayan in Jakarta on Thursday.

BNI Corporate Secretary Okki Rushartomo accepted the award on behalf of the company. The Environment & Sustainability category recognizes BNI’s progress in expanding green financing, reducing operational emissions, and advancing conservation efforts across Indonesia.

BNI’s green financing portfolio rose to Rp 78.6 trillion ($4.7 billion) this year, up from Rp 67.88 trillion in 2023, while its sustainability-linked loans increased to Rp 5.2 trillion. The bank also continued channeling funds toward renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects. Operational carbon emissions fell 7.2 percent from last year, supported by reductions in electricity, paper, and fuel consumption.

In environmental conservation, BNI rehabilitated 32 hectares of forest in East Kalimantan and partnered with the Environment and Forestry Ministry on programs to protect the endangered Javan rhinoceros and orangutans. The bank also expanded its flagship BUMI program (BNI UMKM Hijau), providing green business training to 2,300 micro, small, and medium enterprises.

B-Universe’s ESG Appreciation 2025 aims to recognize corporations with strong commitments to environmental, social, and governance principles, while motivating more organizations to adopt sustainable practices.

Awards were presented across eight categories: Environment & Sustainability, Social & Circular Economy, Governance & Transparency, Eco-Innovation, Community Empowerment, Social Innovation, Certified Governance, and Governance Training.

The evaluation process combined qualitative and quantitative assessments conducted by Datasatu.com researchers, editors from BeritaSatu, and an independent team led by sustainability expert Jerry Marmen. The initial stage involved compiling secondary data --including sustainability reports, publications, and media coverage-- to identify nominees based on ESG indicators. These included energy efficiency and green innovation for the environment pillar; community empowerment and social contribution for the social pillar; and transparency, sustainable operations, and human-capital development for the governance pillar.