CaixaBank ratifies its commitment to adhere to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking

• Financial institutions play a key role as worldwide funding providers.
• Jordi Gual, CaixaBank's Chairman, said, “The bank has always distinguished itself for seeking solutions to the most urgent social challenges and contributing to building a more sustainable and socially inclusive world for current and future generations.”
• Gonzalo Gortázar, CaixaBank's CEO, emphasised “the enormous responsibility of banking in the transition towards a sustainable world. On this account, CaixaBank has committed to financial culture and inclusion, and the environment.”

CaixaBank has adhered to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking, officially launched today in New York by the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). These Principles aim to focus the financial sector's activity towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreements on climate change.

Financial institutions carry out a crucial function in supporting and accelerating the transition towards a more sustainable economy and livelihood, thanks to their key role as worldwide funding providers. In addition, the Principles for Responsible Banking provide the framework for the future sustainable banking system and help the sector materialise their positive contribution to society.

Jordi Gual, CaixaBank's Chairman, said, “We need financial institutions that are aware of their actions directly impacting social welfare and adopting ethical and social commitment with the areas in which they are present.” In this respect, Jordi Gual reminded us that “through its centennial history, CaixaBank has always distinguished itself for seeking solutions to the most urgent social challenges and contributing to building a more sustainable and socially inclusive world for current and future generations.”

CEO Gonzalo Gortázar emphasised that “in CaixaBank we are aware of the enormous responsibility of banking in the transition towards a more sustainable world. As a result, we are fully committed to financial culture and inclusion, and, of course, the environment.” “We are a benchmark in socially responsible banking thanks to our origins and social vocation, and we are an ally of the United Nations in the attainment of its Sustainable Development Goals”, concluded Gonzalo Gortázar.

The Principles for Responsible Banking of UNEP FI were defined in late 2018 and were subject to a public consultation process until last May. During that period, banks from all over the world – including CaixaBank - adhered to the initiative, which has been shaped into the final document launched today at the United Nations' headquarters.

The text of the Principles can be seen at http://www.unepfi.org/banking/bankingprinciples/