The School of Economics, Management and Political Science at the University of Minho (EEG) is proud to announce that Aldina Santos, a PhD student in Management – specialising in Accounting, presented her doctoral thesis entitled “Banks and the Reporting of Non-Financial and Climate-Related Information” on 3 June 2026.
In the author’s own words:
"The central role of banks in the economy, combined with their extensive interconnections across various sectors, makes a rigorous assessment of the risks to which they are exposed essential. Directive 2014/95/EU, together with subsequent guidelines, reinforced the importance of non-financial disclosure by public interest entities, particularly in relation to climate-related information, recognising its impact on financial stability and strategic decision-making.
This study examines the extent to which banks have adapted to Directive 2014/95/EU and its associated guidelines, particularly those concerning the disclosure of climate-related information. It identifies key limitations, including inconsistent reporting practices, limited entity coverage, and challenges in comparability. As fundamental actors in credit provision and financial resource allocation, banks require reliable, detailed, and comparable climate-related information to support responsible financial decision-making aligned with sustainability objectives.
There is a recognised need for clear and binding guidance applicable to all entities subject to financial reporting, given their economic relevance and the growing global interdependence. Directive (EU) 2022/2464 serves as an instrument for strengthening climate assessment criteria, although further adjustments are considered necessary to address remaining challenges.
This thesis thus emphasises the importance of adopting standardised practices and clear guidance for the disclosure of non-financial and climate-related information, tailored to each entity's size and sector. It recognises the critical role that such information plays in credit allocation and monitoring, as well as in promoting more responsible financial decision-making."
The doctoral thesis was supervised by Filomena Brás, Professor at the School of Economics, Management and Political Science at the University of Minho.
The EEG congratulates Aldina Santos on her defence and wishes her every success in her professional and personal life!
