Responsibility and Sustainability

Environmental Responsibility

All EIB projects, irrespective of location, are compliant with the requirements of EU environmental principles, practices and standards and are in support of EU policies. Outside the EU, the Bank takes into account local conditions and law, as well as EU standards as a benchmark.

The Bank promotes projects that protect and improve the natural and built environments and foster social well-being in the interests of sustainable development.

The EIB minimises adverse environmental and social impacts in all projects financed. In operations in developing countries this includes specific attention to a number of social issues. This is outlined in The social assessment of projects outside the EU.

Internally, the Bank assumes environmental responsibility for its “corporate environmental footprint”, working to improve the environmental performance of its buildings and housekeeping. The main areas of activity are:

• improving energy efficiency
• recycling waste
• environmentally responsible procurement

Environmental Sustainability is a key operational priority both within and outside the EU.