ENVIRONMENT

TRANSITION TO A LOW-CARBON ECONOMY

CaixaBank carries out its business and offers its products and services in a way that respects the environment and with the utmost respect for people. It is firmly committed to supporting environmentally-friendly initiatives and projects that contribute to preventing, mitigating and combating climate change.

ALLIANCES AND ADHESION TO INITIATIVES

A signatory of the Equator Principles since 2007, to avoid, minimise, mitigate and remedy as much as possible any potential threats to the environment or the community in financing investment projects

In 2016 a total of 13 projects were financed with a total investment of €5,954 M, with CaixaBank lending more than €778 M

11 were classified under category B, with potential adverse social or environmental impacts that were limited and could easily be mitigated

2 were classified category C, with minimal potential impacts or without adverse impacts

CaixaBank has internal procedures in place to apply a simplified procedure to transactions for financing smaller projects, starting at €5 M

The bank is one of the leading entities

in the fight against climate change at a global level:

For the third year in a row, the bank forms part of the “Climate A List”, which includes 193 companies worldwide with the best assessments according to the CDP environmental organisation

Signatory since 2015 of the Green Bond Principles

It participates in the Spanish Group for Green Growth, which promotes economic growth tied to a low-carbon economy

It forms part of the Forética Climate Change Cluster, a forum for business dialogue and exchanging knowledge in relation to climate change

FINANCING, AND PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

3,081 MWh
in installed capacity
in the 21 renewable energy projects financed in 2016
€882 M in financing granted in 2016
Over 15,350 MW in installed capacity since 2011
24 eco-financing loans
for sustainable development agricultural projects in connection with energy efficiency, efficient use of water, organic farming, renewable energies, waste management and development of rural communities
€874,200 granted
576 eco-loans and eco-microcredits financed
€2.56 M granted
For purchasing efficient vehicles and appliances, cars and home improvements to increase energy efficiency
For investments that improve efficiency in the consumption of resources, ecological products and services –such as ecotourism–, recycling and waste treatment, etc.
€7.94 M the volume of the MicroBank Ecological Fund,
which invests in ecologically responsible funds in sectors such as renewable energy, organic food, recycling and water treatment
817MicroBank green accounts, in collaboration with the WWF in the preservation of the environment and sustainable development
€10,000 allocated to the NGO’s reforestation programme through the green accounts
1,000 trees planted

FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Plan launched to be carbon neutral in 2018

20,239 tn of CO2 offset, corresponding to the use of fuel, refrigeration gases and electricity consumption at CaixaBank’s branch network and central services in 2015 (according to the carbon footprint calculations)

These emissions were offset through the purchase of allowances in the voluntary emissions market project

  • Approved by the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)
  • Allocated to curb the deforestation in the Amazon and promote economic development of farmers in the Madre de Dios area of Peru

Reduction in the emissions associated with energy consumption

99% of green energy consumed: virtually all of the energy consumed

First Spanish organisation to adhere to the RE100 initiative:

  • This list includes world leaders committed to using green energies
  • CaixaBank’s goal: 100% electricity consumption from renewable sources in three years, coinciding with the completion of the Strategic Plan

22,220 Smart PC deployed, with an energy consumption of less than ~25%

6,695 MWh in estimated annual savings by changing to LED lighting for signs and areas with 24-hour lighting

LEED Gold Certificate (the most prestigious international certificate to identify sustainable buildings) obtained for the Cerdanyola CD2 Data Processing Centre

Paper use was reduced

11% vs. 2015, in paper consumption

99%* of the paper we use is recycled

14.4 million digital documents in 2016

* Latest available data (3Q2016)