Environmental management

Our commitment

At CaixaBank, we protect the environment when we are performing our activities. We implement the best environmental and energy practices in accordance with our Sustainability Principles .

Our 2022-2024 Sustainable Banking Plan  includes the 2022-2024 Environmental Management Plan, with eight action plans aimed at reducing the direct impact of our activity as a Group:

  1. Governance in Environmental Management
  2. Climate Change: operational carbon footprint, renewable energy consumption and offset of emissions
  3. Environmentally-friendly purchasing and contracting
  4. Environmentally-friendly catalogue of non-financial products
  5. Commitment to circular economy
  6. Sustainable Mobility Plan
  7. Promotion of efficiency
  8. Renewal of voluntary certifications and extension of the perimeter


With this aim in mind, we have defined the following objectives with indicators for each year of the Plan with the perimeter of Scope 1 and 2 for the CaixaBank Group and the Scope 3 concepts detailed in the section on calculating the Carbon Footprint for CaixaBank, S.A: 

OBJECTIVE

INDICATORS

2022
Objective

2022
Real

2023
Objective

2024
Objective

Carbon footprint minimization and offsetting

 

Scope 1 (vs 20211)

-7%

-10%

-10%

-15%

Scope 2 (vs 2021)

-100%

-100%

-100%

-100%

Scope 3 operational (vs 20212)

-12%

-38%

-15%

-18%

Reduction in CO2 emissions (vs 2021)

-12.9%

-31.74%

-16%

-19%

Carbon Neutral 3. Scope 1, 2 and 3 operational CO2 emissions reduced (vs  2021)

100%

100%

100%

100%

100% renewable energy consumption

Consumption of renewable energy

100%

100%

100%

100%

Reduction of paper consumption/waste

Reduction of A4 paper consumption (vs 2021)

 -8%

-34.6%

-12%

-15% 

Implementation of energy efficiency measures

Saving in energy consumed (vs 2021)

-6%

-14.1%

 -8%

-10% 

Renewal of certifications and extension of the perimeter

Environmental certifications in main buildings (vs 11 certifications 20214)

2

2

3

4


1. For the calculation of the scope 1 target, CaixaBank's refrigerant gas emissions data will take the average for the period 2019-2021 as the baseline year.

2. CaixaBank's corporate travel emissions data takes 2019 (before COVID-19 restrictions) as the baseline year for the calculation of the scope 3 objective. The target falls within the same perimeter reported in 2021, as explained in this chapter.

3. The carbon neutrality perimeter ("Carbon Neutral") is defined taking into account Scopes 1, 2 and 3.6 (corporate travel) at a CaixaBank Group-wide level. To achieve this, we implement measures to reduce emissions, calculate emissions that could not be avoided and offset them by purchasing credits on the voluntary emissions offset market.

4. In 2022, CaixaBank sold the certified building located at Paseo de la Castellana 51, moving most of its employees to the building at Castellana 189, which is also ISO 14001 certified. The base figure against which we assess the targets has changed to 10 certifications, to which we have added 2 new buildings belonging to BPI this year.

More information in our Climate Report

Management of climate change

Financial entities have a key role to play in achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). In February 2019, CaixaBank approved its Climate Change Declaration, which aims to contribute to the transition to a low carbon and socially fair economy, while promoting sustainable economic growth and development.

One of the areas of action in the Climate Change Declaration is to reduce the CO2 emissions from our activities and offset those that cannot be avoided, in accordance with our Carbon Neutral Plan.

Estrategia Carbon Neutral

La Estrategia de la Entidad para alcanzar la neutralidad de emisiones está basada en su medición, la reducción de las mismas y la compensación de las que no podemos evitar

01. Calculation of our operational carbon footprint

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02. Reduction of CO2 emissions

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03. Offsetting of unavoidable emissions

01. Calculation of our operational carbon footprint

CaixaBank S.A. prepares an annual inventory of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from its activities. This is used to calculate its carbon footprint and establish actions to gradually reduce it.

As of 2021, after the merger with Bankia, the calculation is extended to the entire CaixaBank Group incorporating 12 subsidiary companies in Scopes 1 and 2. 




Operational carbon footprint (TCO2EQ)

Gráfico huella carbono

Caixabank Group operational carbon footprint (TCO2EQ)

Item Source CaixaBank S.A. Grupo CaixaBank
Scope 1 Combustion in fixed sources Boilers or emergency equipment Gas oil C 326.46 415.48
Natural Gas  791.13 892.75
Combustion in mobile sources Rental vehicles 960.40 4,161.52
Cooling gas leaks Cooling gases 3,548.13 4,106.54
Scope 2 Market-based method 0 0
Electricity self-consumption 0 0
Scope 3 3.1 Purchase of goods and services Mains water 153.31 153.31
A4 paper 2,054.94 2,054.94
Other paper 3,489.20 3,489.20
Other goods (toner, vinyl and cards) 647.63 647.63
3.2 Capital goods Computers, monitors, keyboards 1,440.47 1,440.47
3.3 Fuel and activities related to energy Value chain and transmission of non-renewable electricity 0 0
3.4 Waste generation IT support and toner 1,783.20 1,783.20
3.6 Corporate trave Aeroplane, train, cars 5,689.98 5,689.98
Total Scope1 5,626.12 9,576.29
Scope 2
(Market-based)
0 0
Scope 3 15,205.96 15,258.72
Total (Market-based) 20,884.84 24,835.01
Total per employee (Market-based) 0.49 0.56

* The Operational Carbon Footprint data presented in the EINF 2021 included the sum of the historical calculation perimeters of CaixaBank and Bankia, which were not the same. This data has been recalculated with respect to the publication of the EINF 2021 in order to unify this perimeter and to be able to compare emissions in 2021 and 2022, as well as the achievement of the targets set.

Caixabank Group operational carbon footprint (TCO2EQ)

Item Source CaixaBank S.A. Grupo CaixaBank
Scope 1 Combustion in fixed sources Boilers or emergency equipment Gas oil C 682.61 817.43
Natural Gas  970.07 1,017.72
Combustion in mobile sources Rental vehicles 1,291.95 4,096.07
Cooling gas leaks Cooling gases 2,818.00 3,326.17
Scope 2 Market-based method 374.17 1,153.55
Electricity self-consumption 0 0
Scope 3 3.1 Purchase of goods and services Mains water 195.14 195.14
A4 paper 3,105.14 3,105.14
Other paper 4,126.67 4,126.67
Other goods (toner, vinyl and cards) 824.34 824.34
3.2 Capital goods Computers, monitors, keyboards 3,946.41 3,946.41
3.3 Fuel and activities related to energy Value chain and transmission of non-renewable electricity 122.64 122.64
3.4 Waste generation IT support and toner 1,359.62 1,359.62
3.6 Corporate trave Aeroplane, train, cars 4,094.94 4,094.94
Total Scope1 5,762.63 9,257.38
Scope 2
(Market-based)
374.17 1,153.55
Scope 3 17,774.91 17,774.91
Total (Market-based) 23,911.70 28,185.84
Total per employee (Market-based) 0.65 0.57

* The Operational Carbon Footprint data presented in the EINF 2021 included the sum of the historical calculation perimeters of CaixaBank and Bankia, which were not the same. This data has been recalculated with respect to the publication of the EINF 2021 in order to unify this perimeter and to be able to compare emissions in 2021 and 2022, as well as the achievement of the targets set.

One of the milestones reached in 2022 is the certification through Guarantees of Renewable Origin of all the energy consumed by the Group, so that the ZERO EMISSIONS target in Scope 2 has been reached.

CaixaBank has reduced its carbon footprint by 12% since 2021.

We calculate our carbon footprint according to the "The Greenhouse Gas Protocol" and "Corporate Value Chain (scope 3) accounting and reporting standard". The data are verified annually by an independent certifying body in the context of the Statement of Non-financial Information.

Executive Report CaixaBank Carbon Footprint 2022 


Redimensioned operational carbon footprint

A study of the different Scope 3 categories has been carried out in 2022, where were identified the following categories 3.1 (purchase of goods and services), 3.2 (purchase of capital goods), 3.3 (fuel and energy-related activities) and 3.6 (corporate travel) have been defined as materials, defining a new perimeter for calculating the operational carbon footprint that includes the totality of these emissions for the entire Group and taking a step forward in the representativeness of the information reported.

These categories have been calculated extensively, which is particularly important in the categories for the purchases of goods and services and capital goods, where 80% of the amount of the global statement of all the Group's operating expenses and investments.

Item 2022 2021
Scope 3 CaixaBank S.A. Grupo CaixaBank CaixaBank S.A. Grupo CaixaBank
3.1 Purchase of goods and services OPEX 51,980.66  128,005.67  59,185.22  146,723.85
3.2 Capital goods CAPEX 50,164.90 60,810.78  36,448.54  45,841.97
3.3 Fuel and activities related to energy Value chain of cold and mobile fuels 451.16 1,264.00  616.92  1,323.86
Electricity value chain and transmission 4,133.51 5,451.65  5,741.35  7,505.61
3.6 Corporate travel Aeroplane, train, cars and hotels 5,809.91 6,794.80  4,473.40 5,038.83
TOTAL SCOPE 3 OPERATIONAL ACCORDING TO MATERIALITY STUDY 112,540.14 202,326.90 106,465.44 206,434.11

02. Reductions

Through the introduction of technological improvements and good environmental practices, we reduce our emissions.

03. Offsetting

We offset the unavoidable emissions from our corporate buildings and branch network (scopes 1, 2 and 3)

  • We are a carbon neutral entity. 

In 2018, we became the first bank in Spain, and one of the first in Europe, to offset all of the CO2 emissions from our activities. This means our offsetting objective includes the emissions associated with both our corporate centres and our entire branch network, which is the largest in the financial sector in Spain. We currently define the carbon neutrality perimeter ("Carbon Neutral") taking into account Scope 1, 2 and 3.6 (corporate travels) at the CaixaBank Group scale.

  • We offset the emissions we generate. 

We offset our emissions by purchasing carbon credits (recognised by the Verified Carbon Standard) for projects with positive social and environmental impact, and through the reforestation of two areas in Montserrat, Barcelona and Ejulve, Teruel, the direct benefits of which for the areas will be accounted for over the coming years. 

  • Membership and registrations.

We register our carbon footprint with the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge's Register of carbon footprints, offsetting and carbon dioxide absorption projects   and we have signed up to the Voluntary Agreements Programme  for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions run by the Catalan Office for Climate Change (OCCC).

Sello 2021 registro huella de carbono




Register of carbon footprints (MTE)


Voluntary Agreements Programme of Generalitat de Catalunya

Environmental and energy management system

At CaixaBank, we have implemented an environmental and energy management system that allows us to reduce the environmental impact of our activities, ensuring a process of continuous improvement.

Our corporate centre in Barcelona has an environmental and energy management system, under the European EMAS regulations and the ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 standards. The scope of our ISO 14001 certification also includes our 5 most important corporate centres in Valencia and Madrid.

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ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

CONTEXT

  • Internal and external context
  • Expectations of stakeholders

Plan

Establish processes and objectives

Act

Take steps for
on-going
improvement

Do

Implement processes

Verify

Assess performance

ENVISAGED RESULTS

CONTEXT

  • Internal and external context
  • Expectations of stakeholders

ENVISAGED RESULTS

Plan

Establish processes and objectives

Act

Take steps for
on-going
improvement

Amazonas
logo caixa blanco

ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Do

Implement processes

Verify

Assess performance

Principles

Sustainability Principles

Declaration on climate change

External certifications

EMAS regulation

ISO 14001

ISO 50001

Supervision

Enviromental Risk Management Committee

Corporate Responsibility and Reputation Committee