BBVA Channels €82 Billion Into Sustainable Business in the First Half of 2026, Up 38 Percent Year-over-Year

Of the total amount channeled into sustainable business between January and June 2026, €63 billion (76 percent) corresponded to environmental activities (climate change and natural capital), and €19 billion (24 percent) to social initiatives.

By geography, Spain accounted for 34 percent of the sustainable business channeled in the first half of 2026, followed by Mexico with 16 percent, Türkiye with 12 percent, and South America with nine percent. The remaining geographies represented 29 percent.

By product, financing and transactional banking accounted for 86 percent of the total amount channeled in the first six months of 2026, while capital markets contributed 10 percent, and project finance four percent.

Growth in all business segments

In the wholesale clients segment (CIB), BBVA channeled €42 billion (€38 billion to environmental activities and €4 billion to social initiatives), 29 percent more than the first half of 2025. In parallel, it continued to promote its activity in strategic areas such as cleantech financing, solutions like sustainability-linked confirming and renewable energy project financing. The latter reached a total of €4.3 billion in the quarter, with a notable contribution from Europe and the U.S.

Meanwhile, Commercial Banking channeled €30 billion (€22 billion to environmental activities and €8 billion to social initiatives), a 48 percent increase year-over-year. This segment continued to perform well in all countries, with particularly strong growth in Mexico and Türkiye. Advisory services for sustainability and specialized support for agriculture, the circular economy and infrastructure stood out as drivers of growth.

In retail clients, BBVA channeled €10 billion into sustainable business in the first half of 2026 (€3 billion to environmental activities and €7 billion to social initiatives), a 54 percent increase over the same period of the previous year, the highest year-over-year growth among the three segments.

Channeling sustainable business allows BBVA clients to finance projects related to energy efficiency, electrification, housing renovation and infrastructure development, while also accessing solutions that integrate social and environmental criteria. For companies, among other things, it helps companies adapt their business models to decarbonization and resource management. For individual customers, it supports decisions such as the purchase of energy-efficient homes or low-emission vehicles.

Sustainability as a driver of growth

BBVA continues to promote sustainability as a driver of growth, with the aim of fostering new business opportunities. Climate, natural capital and social opportunities are the three pillars of the bank’s sustainability strategy. The goal is for companies and individuals to be able to identify which alternatives best meet their needs, which financing options are available to them and how to gradually advance their transition.

The bank has a goal of channeling €700 billion into sustainable business in the 2025-2029 period. This more than doubles the previous goal of channeling €300 billion between 2018 and 2025. The bank reached this target in December 2024, one year ahead of schedule. The new, more ambitious target is also proposed for a shorter period (five years versus eight years).

The criteria the bank uses to calculate the contribution of its products to sustainable business are described in the Guide for the Channeling of Sustainable Business and Transition.

On July 27, BBVA announced its participation as Global Banking Partner of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), which will be held from November 9 to November 20 in Antalya, Türkiye. Through this partnership, the bank will work with the COP31 Presidency and the United Nations to continue promoting financing for the energy transition and accelerate the implementation of solutions for a low-carbon economy.