In its commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Bankia’s strategy is centred on promoting a transition towards a low-carbon economy and implementing responsible, sustainable banking.
The bank has identified the specific initiatives, programmes and measures it will promote in order to increase its contribution to the 2030 Agenda goals.
After a detailed analysis, the entity has divided the SDGs into four strategic blocks, which respond to the contribution it makes through its business, financial and social activity: sustainable finance, inclusive economic growth, financial and quality education and cities, and sustainable communities.
Within each block, Bankia has defined a lever SDG on which it focuses its efforts, so that SDG 13 stands out as priority for its activity. Climate Action; SDG 8, Decent work and economic growth; SDG 11, Sustainable cities and communities, and SDG 4, Quality Education. They are joined by a transversal one: SDG 17. Partnerships for the goals.
Sustainable finance
Climate action
Target: take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Bankia aims for sustainability in its business model and works to foster growth that fully respects the environment. For that reason it is implementing a 2017-2020 Eco-Efficiency and Climate Change Plan and is committed to international initiatives for the decarbonisation of the economy. In addition, it has created the Sustainable Business and Financing Directorate to drive the marketing of ‘green’ products.
IN FIGURES
40,699
Tons
Of C02 emissions avoided
9,000
Millions euros
Contribution to mobilising in green finance.
MILESTONES
- Endorsement of the UN’s Principles for Responsible Banking to drive the decarbonisation of the economy.
- Sustainable financing products for individuals, real estate developers and businesses (loans and mortgages) and sustainable investment products such as Bankia Futuro Sostenible.
Communities and sustainable innovation
Sustainable cities and communities
Target: make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Bankia promotes investment, financing and innovation in infrastructure and services that improve the quality of life and sustainability of cities. It also promotes agriculture-oriented solutions to drive rural development.
IN FIGURES
6.39
Millions euros
Invested in local and rural development programmes, with more than 251,000 direct beneficiaries.
300
Millions euros
Agreement between Bankia and the EIB for the concession of 'Hipotecas Verdes' ('Green Mortgage') facility, a first for Europe.
MILESTONES
- Bankia offers specific funding to real estate developers to build homes with BREEAM energy efficiency certification.
- 374 branches with agribusiness specialists to promote the financing of innovation and energy efficiency projects in the sector.
Inclusive economic growth
Decent work and economic growth
Target: promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
As a financial institution, Bankia provides high quality, diverse employment, ensuring decent conditions for its employees and value chain, while also driving entrepreneurship, technological innovation and financing for SMEs and the self-employed. Through its social action, the bank also supports employment projects with a focus on vulnerable groups.
IN FIGURES
3,456
Millions euros
Finance to SMES
43,663
Direct beneficiaries
The bank's employment and entry-to-work projects.
MILESTONES
- 268 professionals promoted internally in the last year, 50.4% of them women.
- Bankia recognised by Fundación Diversidad and Fundación Alares as a ‘Socially Responsible Company in relation to its Staff'.
Financial and quality education
Quality education
Target: ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Through Fundación Bankia por la Formación Dual, Bankia brings together companies and training centres, boosting young people’s employability. Moreover, it is committed to inclusive education that promotes the skills required for better personal and professional management. It also promotes financial education to assist the understanding of financial products and services and economic decision-making.
IN FIGURES
4
Millions euros
Invested in education and employability improvement projects.
4,070
Student
Beneficiaries of projects promoted by Fundación Bankia por la Formación Dual.
MILESTONES
- Launch of 10 free online financial education courses through Bankademia, focused on expanding knowledge in basic finance, housing, savings and investment for individuals and businesses.
- 739 companies participating in Fundación Bankia por la Formación Dual projects.
Solid institutions and alliances
Partnerships for the goals
Target: revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
Building alliances is key to sharing knowledge, improving technical capacity and promoting projects that contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Through industry groups and public-private partnerships, Bankia defends the interests of its stakeholders in economic, social, environmental and corporate governance matters.
IN FIGURES
846
NGOs and foundations
Agreements to promote social and environmental projects.
800
Millions euros
To finance smes and mid-caps, as well as companies in the farming, agri-food, fishing and livestock industries, through an EIB facility.
MILESTONES
- Partnerships with various civil society actors at national and international level (Global Compact, UN, Spainsif, Forética, Fundación Alares, Fundación Ecodes, Fundación Seres, Fundación Corporate Excellence, LIMNE Foundation, COTEC, CECA, APD and CEOE).
- Collaboration with public financial institutions, including ICO, EIB and mutual guarantee companies (SGR), to finance SMEs and large companies.
Impact on other SDGs
The SDG targets are not isolated, but they are all interrelated and a program or action can impact several different SDG targets. For this reason, Bankia's contribution also makes an impact on other SDGs such as SDG 7- Renewable energy; SDG 9 -Industry, innovation and infrastructure; SDG 5 - Gender Equality; SDG 10 - Reduction of inequalities; and to SDG 16 Solid Institutions.
To measure and promote each of these SDGs, the entity has defined strategic lines, with objectives and actions that are specified through the 2019-2020 Responsible Management Plan, which is aligned with the entity's 2018-2020 Strategic Plan and that allows for quarterly monitoring and incorporation of specific measurement indicators.
