Universal registration document and annual financial report 2020

2020 Universal registration document and annual financial report - BNP PARIBAS304

5 risks and CaPital adequaCy Pillar 3

Capital management and capital adequacy

7.5 The BNP Paribas Group could experience business disruption and losses due to climate change risks such as transition risks, physical risks or liability risks.

The BNP Paribas Group is exposed to risks related to climate change, either directly through its own operations or indirectly through its financing and investment activities. There are two main types of risks related to climate change: (i) transition risks, which result from changes in the behaviour of economic and financial actors in response to the implementation of energy policies or technological changes; (ii) physical risks, which result from the direct impact of climate change on people and property through extreme weather events or long-term risks such as rising water levels or increasing temperatures. In addition, liability risks may arise from both categories of risk. They correspond to the damages that a legal entity would have to pay if it were found to be responsible for global warming. BNP Paribas is progressively integrating the assessment of these risks into its risk management system. The Group monitors these risks in the conduct of its business, in the conduct of its counterparties business, and in its investments on its own behalf and on behalf of third parties. In this respect, the specific credit policies and the General Credit Policy have been enhanced since 2012 and 2014, respectively, with the addition of relevant clauses in terms of social and environmental responsibility. In addition, sector-specific policies and policies excluding certain environmental, social and governance (ESG) sectors from financing have also been put in place. In 2019, as part of the fight against climate change, the BNP Paribas Group made new commitments to reduce its exposure to thermal coal to zero by 2030 in the OECD and by 2040 for the rest of the world.

The Group has also provided financing dedicated to renewable energy in the amounts of EUR 15.4 billion and EUR 15.9 billion in 2018, and 2019, respectively. By the end of 2015, BNP Paribas had already significantly strengthened its criteria for financing and investing in the coal sector, and in 2017, it was the first bank to announce the cessation of its financing activities for companies that derive most of their revenues from non- conventional hydrocarbons, measures that remain to date among the most advanced in the sector. These decisions are also reflected in the energy mix that the BNP Paribas Group finances. The BNP Paribas Group also supports its clients, both individuals and businesses, in their transition to a low-carbon economy. The BNP Paribas Group also aims to reduce the environmental footprint of its own operations. Despite the actions taken by the BNP Paribas Group to monitor risks and combat climate change, physical, transition or liability risks related to climate change could disrupt business or lead to losses.

7.6 Changes in certain holdings in credit or financial institutions could have an impact on the BNP Paribas Group s financial position.

Amounts below the thresholds for prudential capital deduction are assets subject to a risk-weight of 250%. These assets include: credit or financial institutions consolidated under the equity method within the prudential scope (excluding insurance); significant financial interest in credit or financial institutions in which the BNP Paribas Group holds a stake of more than 10%; and deferred tax assets that rely on future profitability and arise from temporary differences.

The risk-weighted assets subject to this type of risk amounted to EUR 17 billion at 31 December 2020, or 2% of the total risk-weighted assets of the BNP Paribas Group.

5.2 Capital management and capital adequacy

SCOPE OF APPLICATION

The prudential scope of application defined in Regulation (EU) No. 575/2013 on capital requirements is not the same as the accounting scope of consolidation whose composition concerns the application of IFRS as adopted by the European Union. The notes to the consolidated financial statements cover the accounting consolidation scope.

The consolidation principles and the scope of consolidation in accordance with the accounting consolidation method used are described respectively in notes 1.b and 7.j to the consolidated financial statements.

PRUDENTIAL SCOPE In accordance with banking regulation, BNP Paribas Group has defined a prudential scope to monitor capital ratios calculated on a consolidated basis. Its specificities are as follows:

■ insurance companies (primarily BNP Paribas Cardif and its subsidiaries) that are fully consolidated within the accounting scope are consolidated under the equity method in the prudential scope;