On 3 February 2009, the EIB Board of Directors approved the EIB Statement of Environmental and Social Principles and Standards. The Statement was strongly supported by the Board of Directors. The Board confirmed the role of the Bank as a leading institution on environmental and social matters. Having approved the new Statement, the focus of the Bank now should be on its implementation; work on the carbon footprint is considered a priority.

The Statement outlines the standards that the Bank requires of the projects that it finances, and the responsibilities of the various parties. It provides a much greater sense of urgency about the problems of climate change, gives greater recognision to the importance of biodiversity, and, expands the section on the social dimensions of sustainable development.

The EIB Statement of Environmental and Social Principles and Standards was the subject of an extensive internal and external public consultation process.