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    Climate change and environmental degradation constitute our main challenge for maintaining sustainable development.

    The EIB is an important partner for the European Union in making its European Green Deal, the EU’s new growth strategy for a carbon-neutral continent by 2050.

    Meeting the European Union’s climate and energy targets will require decarbonising much of the energy supply, while safeguarding our natural resources.

    The EIB has been a central player in developing the offshore wind sector and in establishing a supply chain. We also support electricity network investments for transmission and distribution.

    We also invest in projects that protect our natural resources and biodiversity, in particular in the areas of agriculture, forestry, oceans, water and waste management. We also help communities manage natural disasters and in their efforts to depollute their habitat.

    Our impact in 2023

    In 2023, the EIB provided €26.80 billion in support of sustainable energy and natural resources.

    powered by additional electricity generation capacity from renewable energy sources

    with safer drinking water

    with improved sanitation

    facing reduced flooding risk

    The EIB finances infrastructure projects that address climate change to provide a secure and sustainable supply of energy at affordable prices.

    Examples of projects we support include renewable sources of energy, grids and storage, energy efficiency, electric-vehicle charging infrastructure and breakthrough technologies, such as low-carbon hydrogen.

    The Bank no longer considers new financing for unabated, fossil fuel energy projects, including gas.

    Torresol Energy Investments S.A

    Nature and biodiversity are essential for life. Natural resources generate approximately half of the world’s GDP. Biodiversity loss and the climate crisis go hand in hand.

    The EIB ensures our projects enhance natural habitats and do not harm biodiversity. We work together with policymakers, companies and civil society to meet biodiversity challenges and increase investment in nature, ecosystem restoration and resilience.

    Forestry and agriculture
    © Mehdi-Thomas BOUTDARINE/Unsplash

    Forests are essential in the fight for climate action. They are major carbon stores and help increase resilience against some of the effects of climate change, such as soil erosion and increased flood risk. Our activities support the full forest value chain, including restoration of forests, afforestation and forest industries. We aim to protect and enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services, while fostering rural economic growth and employment.

      Our support for forestry  

    ©Getty Images

    Agriculture protects natural assets and uses them for our well-being. It is also the backbone for local entrepreneurship, employment and social development in many countries around the world. The EIB supports the rural economy to benefit entrepreneurs and society as a whole, promote environmental sustainability and lower agriculture’s CO2 emissions.

      Our support for agriculture  

    Sustainable oceans and blue economy
    ©Getty Images

    Oceans and seas cover over 70% of the Earth's surface. They play a vital role for the planet’s climate and biodiversity. They also provide food, medicines, renewable energy and natural resources to billions of people around the globe.

    Keeping our oceans healthy is crucial for sustainable development and the reduction of poverty. The EIB is investing in the sustainable blue economy and supports initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve this natural resource.

      Our support for oceans  

    Drinking water and wastewater management
    ©EIB

    Population growth and a rapidly developing global economy, combined with the effects of climate change, will exacerbate the lack of access to water and sanitation for domestic uses. The same is true for droughts and floods that destroy people’s livelihoods.

    With total financing of close to €79 billion since the beginning of the 1960s, the European Investment Bank is the largest lender to the global water sector. It has supported in total over 1 600 projects in the areas of water supply, wastewater treatment, coastal erosion and flood control.

      Our support for water  

    Depollution
    ©CasarsaGuru/Getty Images

    The prevention against and limitation of pollution are key pillars of the EU environmental policy. We promote an integrated approach to tackle air, water and soil pollution, and we finance depollution projects.

    We provide project promoters with clear requirements for preventing, reducing and, as far as possible, eliminating pollution arising from different activities during the entire project lifecycle, from design to decommissioning.

      Our Environmental and Social Standards Overview  

    Emergency prevention, preparedness and response
    ©Shutterstock

    Les catastrophes naturelles mettent en péril les vies humaines, les écosystèmes et les économies.

    La BEI œuvre au renforcement de la gouvernance nationale et internationale pour améliorer la préparation aux catastrophes naturelles et l’adaptation aux changements climatiques, comme le recommande notamment le Cadre d’action de Sendai pour la réduction des risques de catastrophe. La stratégie de la BEI en matière d’action pour le climat promeut la mise en place d’un système de gestion des risques pour réduire la vulnérabilité des actifs, des populations et des écosystèmes associés aux projets de la BEI.

    La Banque appuie également des projets de reconstruction après des catastrophes naturelles, qui offrent la possibilité cruciale de reconstruire en mieux, notamment en intégrant la réduction du risque de catastrophe naturelle dans les mesures de développement.

    The rapid population growth, urbanisation and economic development over the last decades has led to an increase in the generation of solid waste across the world. Providing high-quality waste management services is crucial to safeguard public health and protect the environment, but also to support resource efficiency, climate change mitigation and job creation.

    Unsplash

    In the spotlight