For the fourth consecutive year, BBVA scored best in the banking category in the Europe region and second globally -score that was shared with other banks- in the latest Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI)¹, the world's leading sustainability index. The annual breakdown of the DJSI was released on December 8, 2023. A total of 27 banks from around the world won a place in this year’s DJSI.

Producing hydrogen from renewable energy is a key challenge on the path to decarbonization and asset managers such as Hy24 are confident that this technology will reach maturity within the decade. BBVA has invested ten million in one of Hy24’s funds, which uses its capital to finance large-scale clean hydrogen infrastructure projects. Notably, it is the world’s largest clean hydrogen fund.

LGBT+ diversity is already the third-highest priority in corporate projects, behind only gender equality and inclusion of people with disabilities. Half of major Spanish companies have LGBT+ diversity programs. This figure drops to 34% in the case of IBEX 35-listed companies. These are some of the findings of the first major survey that looks at business management of LGBT+ diversity in Spain, promoted by BBVA, REDI and UN Global Compact Spain.

NGO Aflatoun International presented the Teachers Academy Foundation (ÖRAV) the ‘Teacher Professional Development’ award for its social and financial leadership program  ‘5 Pebbles,’ a project supported by Garanti BBVA. The awards ceremony took place at the 6th Global Social and Financial Skills Conference, in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

The energy transition affects all industrial and distribution processes. However, the sustainability-related challenges faced by companies also translate into business opportunities and competitive gains, according to Luisa Gómez Bravo, Global Head of Finance at the BBVA Group. "BBVA wants to help companies that are moving steadily towards energy transition in their business models," she said during her speech at the Spain Capital Markets hosted by Bloomberg on November 23. "Sustainability has become a regular part of our dialogue with our clients.”

BBVA in Colombia granted 3.8 billion pesos in sustainable lending between January and August 2023, with $2.4 billion going to inclusive growth projects and $1.4 billion for climate action pursuits. These figures are already up on last year’s total figure and 66% higher than in August 2022.

As part of its efforts to further increase financing for renewable energy projects, Garanti BBVA recently announced an agreement to provide €36.1 million in financing to Galatya Energy Production Inc. for the Işıklar Wind Power Plant.

It is the BBVA Group’s first ever blue bond, which are securities used to finance projects geared toward ocean sustainability and the Blue Economy.

Garanti BBVA has signed a further agreement with Beyçelik Elawan Renewables Renewable Energy Production Inc. to finance a series of upgrades to the Yahyali Wind Power Plant, bringing the Turkish bank’s total investment to USD 145 million.

The financial institution will use two floors of the recently completed skyscraper, Two Manhattan West. The move of the New York workforce, which currently has 350 employees, is planned for the last quarter of 2024.

At the fourth annual Diversity Days, the bank launched a pledge to champion and support the universal values of human dignity, freedom, respect and equality. This new milestone marks the end of a year that has seen numerous initiatives in favor of diversity, including the target of 35% of management positions being held by women, implementing a protocol to fight harassment against LGTBI people, and launching a program to prevent ageism.

BBVA has joined the 'Cleantech for Iberia' initiative to accelerate the development of clean technologies in Spain and Portugal. The main goal is to create a global hub that establishes the Iberian Peninsula as a leader in the 'cleantech' sector. The initiative brings together funds totaling more than one billion euros.

BBVA was selected as one of the bookrunners for Colombia's first issue of social bonds in the international market. The debt was rated Baa2/BB+/BB+ for its inaugural offering and was denominated in US dollars with a dual-tranche format maturing in 2035 and 2053. It is an integral part of the Colombian government’s sustainable strategy, and is the first time the country has issued social bonds and only its second issue under ESG (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance) criteria, following the placement of Green Treasury Notes in 2021, in which BBVA also acted as lead bookrunner.

BBVA is investing $25 million (€23.6 million¹) in climate fund Decarbonization Partners Fund I, which raises the bank’s total investment in climate-related funds to €108.4 million. The bank is actively contributing to the decarbonization of the economy through its participation in funds of this kind.

76 percent of BBVA’s lending portfolio corresponds to clients in emission heavy sectors that are making progress in their transition to net zero emissions, according to the latest update to BBVA’s sustainability strategy, published November 3rd. The document underscores how the bank promotes new businesses through sustainability.

BBVA mobilized €15.6 billion in sustainable corporate business between January and September 2023 (up 95 percent from the same period the previous year) and €7.3 billion in retail banking (up 69 percent). Both segments have consolidated growth in the mobilization of sustainable business.

BBVA Chair Carlos Torres Vila, together with over 100 chairs or CEOs of large global companies, signed a declaration calling on the global leaders participating in the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai (COP28) to commit to “transformative policies and actions.” “Every fraction of a degree counts in the race to net zero,” explains this open letter from the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders promoted by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The protection of nature and its sustainable management is a matter of the very survival of the planet. Moreover, a growing number of financial institutions are becoming aware that this field offers a real opportunity. The deployment of long-term strategies, the role of investors and shareholders, and increasingly stringent regulation paint a brighter picture.

The events aim to provide support and guidance for sectors and institutions impacted by both the European Green Deal and Carbon Border Regulation processes.

The prestigious publication has included BBVA among the best companies in the world in the first edition of this list put together in collaboration with Statista.The bank is the second Spanish company in the ranking and sixth bank worldwide. The ‘World’s Best Companies’ is a comprehensive list of the most remarkable organizations around the globe  in various sectors based on three dimensions: employee satisfaction, revenue growth and sustainability.

BBVA Chair Carlos Torres Vila stated that "the investment necessary for the economy to function without emissions must make economic sense, since a large part of it will come from the private sector." At a round table hosted by UNEP FI in Madrid, he stressed that "decarbonization will occur when investments in emerging green technologies prove profitable."

BBVA has invested 25 million dollars in a new round of financing from the venture capital fund Lowercarbon, which specializes in decarbonization. This new investment, added to a previous one of 20 million reaching a total of 45 million, will be allocated to disruptive solutions with enormous potential, including new technology based on nuclear fusion.

The bank has launched an educational video channel aimed at children to supplement the shows shown on Learn together 2030 KIDS. The new proposition will target channels that cater to young audiences (YouTube Kids, TikTok, Instagram), with enticing content based on the Sustainable Development Goals

From April to June 2023, BBVA channeled around €19 billion in sustainable business. This figure, showing growth of around 30 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, sets a new quarterly record. In total, BBVA channeled €169 billion in sustainable business from 2018 to June 2023, well over half of the €300 billion target laid down for the 2018-2025 period.

Droughts are abnormally dry periods, in which multiple factors are involved and which have important consequences for the environment and societies. An estimated 55 million people are directly affected by droughts every year, and they could harm as many as three out of four people worldwide by 2050, according to the UN. BBVA delves into this complex phenomenon in the new report 'Cuando falta el agua: claves para hacer frente a la sequía' (When water is scarce: keys to face drought).

BBVA’s Turkish unit is launching the ‘Women who know their accounts’ program as part of its strategy for inclusive growth. The aim of the program is to support women who are not familiar with banking services, to help them discover their potential and ensure a more active participation in economic life. The program will support them by providing training in basic financial matters and in managing their personal finances.

BBVA plans to invest in Suma Capital’s 3rd Sustainable Investment Fund, which specializes in the energy transition, the circular economy and in particular waste management for energy production: biogas and biomethane. The financial institution is investing in this reference fund for sustainable infrastructure in Spain as part of its investment strategy for climate funds. Through these investments, BBVA is contributing to the decarbonization of the planet.

The bank extends leave to its employees to care for sick family members, to accompany a partner in prenatal check-ups, to take young children in their first week of school, pregnancy protection measures to care for children or adoption and foster care processes. These are some of the improvements incorporated in BBVA's new Equality Plan, which also includes protocols against harassment in the workplace and non-discrimination of the LGTBI community.