5632019 Universal registration document and annual financial report - BNP PARIBAS
7 a Committed Bank: information ConCerninG the eConomiC,
soCial, CiviC and environmental resPonsiBility of BnP PariBas
7
Our environmental responsibility: accelerating the ecological and energy transition
From 18 different business sectors, 33 members of AFEP(1). have adopted a voluntary circular economy policy with 100 actions covering a wide range of themes. BNP Paribas supported this initiative by refining its processes for identifying contributing firms and offering them tailored financing. The Bank is also committed to developing financial solutions to support the sharing economy. More specifically, the Group is seeking to limit its direct environmental impacts by purchasing fewer physical goods, not only paper but also single-use plastics (see Green Company For Employees (CG4E): a global employee commitment in Reduce the environmental footprint of our own operations, Commitment 11). It plans to reduce all its waste, to recycle wherever possible, and to monitor the associated data with its employees.
HELPING TO PROTECT BIODIVERSITY AND THE OCEANS For several years, BNP Paribas has been actively involved in protecting biodiversity through initiatives focusing on its indirect impacts, linked to its financing activities (where the most significant issues are at stake), and its direct impacts (see Rigorous management of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks, Commitment 3 and Biodiversity conservation at our sites in Reduce the environmental footprint of our own operations, Commitment 11).
Ocean conservation, a must for BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas recognises the crucial role of the Ocean for the environment and climate, as well as for people and economies. The Group is also a major player in the financing of global maritime transport. In 2019, BNP Paribas took a public position on the Ocean, summarising the actions it has already taken and making new commitments towards ocean conservation. The Group intends to be actively involved in Ocean conservation, firstly, by providing funding for activities that are sensitive from the point of view of ocean biodiversity and, secondly, by being proactive in supporting initiatives that contribute to a sustainable economy which is respectful of people and marine ecosystems. In line with SDG 14 Life Below Water , BNP Paribas frames funding in the areas of maritime transport, fisheries and aquaculture, underwater extraction of natural resources, marine renewable energies and land-based activities closely linked to the Ocean. In the maritime transport sector, BNP Paribas has pledged EUR 1 billion to finance the environmental transition of vessels by 2025, for example by supporting dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) motorisation projects.
Financial support for biodiversity conservation
In Belgium, BNP Paribas Fortis has provided financial support since May 2019 to Natagora and Natuurpunt, two organisations involved in protecting nature and biodiversity, by donating a share of the entry and management fees of one of its main investment funds. Thanks to this
financial support, Natagora and Natuurpunt are able to purchase land to expand their existing nature reserves. In the five months between May and the start of October, they received EUR 70,000. This meant that they could manage an additional area equivalent to the size of 10 football pitches.
Urban biodiversity: a key issue for BNP Paribas Real Estate
The real estate sector has a major role to play when it comes to biodiversity: not only must it reduce its impacts, but biodiversity contributes to urban resilience by bringing countless benefits to towns and cities, city dwellings and buildings.
BNP Paribas Real Estate incorporates biodiversity into the projects it designs, renovates, manages and occupies, for example through pre- development environmental audits, the reduction of impermeable surfaces, the creation of vegetated rainwater storage and filtration facilities, and the re-vegetation of sites and buildings. An urban farm has been created on the rooftop of the headquarters building to test new approaches and show them to clients.
In addition, BNP Paribas Real Estate publicly supports several biodiversity initiatives. For example, it has joined the International Biodiversity Property Council (IBPC) and signed the call to action for greener towns and cities.
BLENDED FINANCE: INNOVATIVE FINANCE TO SUPPORT THE ENERGY AND AGRO- ECOLOGY TRANSITION Rural areas in emerging countries are particularly affected by climate change, deforestation and the loss of biodiversity. BNP Paribas is developing innovative financing solutions to facilitate projects that tackle these complex issues by involving a wide variety of actors. Blended finance is one of the most promising ways of mitigating the associated risks, by combining public finance with private finance.
Sustainable Finance Facilities (SFF)
BNP Paribas has a key agreement in place with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The aim is to channel USD 10 billion towards projects that support sustainable growth in emerging countries by 2025.
Accreditation with the Green Climate Fund
BNP Paribas has obtained accreditation from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which encourages funding for low-carbon, climate-resilient projects. In particular, this fund will help to direct growing funding to the most under-developed countries, small islands and African states.
(1) Association française des entreprises privées (French employers' association).
