Approach to sustainable development

GRI:

[102-12] External initiatives and externally-developed economic, environmental and social charters, principles, or other initiatives to which the organization subscribes
[102-15] Key impacts, risks and opportunities
[102-26] Role of highest governance body in setting purpose, values, and strategy
[102-29] Identifying and managing economic, environmental, and social impacts
[102-32] Highest governance body’s role in sustainability reporting
[103-1] Explanation of the material topics and their boundaries
Material topic: Performance results and economic impact
[103-2] The management approach and its components
Material topic: Performance results and economic impact
[103-3] Evaluation of the management approach
Material topic: Performance results and economic impact
[102-31] Review of economic, environmental, and social topics
[Custom indicator] Description of the Bank’s strategy, including the approach to managing responsible banking and sustainable development matters

Other guidelines:

As a financial institution, we contribute to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030 through our business activities and social engagement:

The Santander Bank Polska Group’s approach to responsible business and sustainable development is complemented by the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) adopted by the bank. Our commitments and actions are influenced by our business strategy. While creating value for our stakeholders, we have identified two main pillars and priorities related to sustainable development:

Green Bank

Taking care of the environment and supporting ecological solutions that improve the quality of life.
Inclusive banking

Integrating persons excluded from the financial services market (for various reasons, e.g. lack of dedicated offer) and financial education.

Principles for Responsible Banking

We manage our organization in conformance with the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) proposed by UNEP FI (UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative) and developed in a controlled process with the participation of banking sector institutions and non-government organizations. The Santander Group worked on the development of the PRB and was one of the signatories of the document announced in September 2019 at the UN headquarters in New York.

The Principles for Responsible Banking provide a framework for a sustainable banking system and, when applied in practice, demonstrate the impact of our industry on the external environment. The six principles are consistent with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030 and the 2015 Paris agreement on climate neutrality.

Alignment

We will align our business strategy to be consistent with and contribute to individuals’ needs and society’s goals, as expressed in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Climate Agreement and relevant national and regional frameworks. We will focus our efforts where we have the most significant impact.

Impact

We will continuously increase our positive impacts while reducing the negative impacts on, and managing the risks to, people and environment resulting from our activities, products and services.

Business and Retail Customers

We will proactively and responsibly consult, engage and partner with relevant stakeholders to achieve society’s goals.

Stakeholders

We will proactively and responsibly consult, engage and partner with relevant stakeholders to achieve society’s goals.

Governance

We will implement our commitment to these Principles through effective governance and a culture of responsible banking, demonstrating ambition and accountability by setting public targets relating to our most significant impacts.

Transparency & Accountability

We will periodically review our individual and collective implementation of these Principles and be transparent about and accountable for our positive and negative impacts and our contribution to society’s goals.

Responsible Banking is deeply rooted in the strategy of the entire Santander Group. We understand it as a responsibility to the people with whom we interact as a bank – our clients, employees, shareholders and the communities in which we operate. We know how much trust they place in us and we are aware of how easy it is to lose it. Our ambition is to be a leader who creates trends and sets standards for responsible banking in the world and in Poland. Therefore, both at the Santander Group and Santander Bank Polska level, we are eager to engage in initiatives aimed at raising the standards of governance, customer relations and transparency in presenting the results of our activities.

Michał Gajewski

CEO

Policies and documents defining our approach to sustainable development

Our voluntary ethical, social and environmental commitments going beyond the legal framework are primarily governed by Santander Bank Polska’s Corporate Social Responsibility Policy. The policy enables us to manage social and environmental risks and build long-term value for all stakeholders. The provisions contained in the policy are supplemented by the following documents:

Climate Change Policy,
Human Rights Policy,
Corporate Volunteering Policy,

Sector risk management policies applicable to sensitive sectors, such as the defence, energy or wood industry.

Santander Bank Polska’s Responsible Banking and Corporate Culture Committee

GRI:

[102-18] Governance structure of the organization including committees of the highest governance body
[102-20] Executive-level responsibility for economic, environmental, and social topics

The main governing body responsible for CSR matters in the bank is the Responsible Banking and Corporate Culture Committee, chaired by the President of the Management Board.

Powers and responsibilities of the Committee:
- defining annual strategies and objectives for responsible banking and corporate culture,
- managing responsible business policy and corporate culture in the Santander Bank Polska Group,
- ensuring implementation of the provisions of social and environmental policies of Santander Bank Polska,
- approving long-term action plans for responsible banking and corporate culture of Santander Bank Polska,
- coordinating the Responsible Banking and corporate culture strategy, exercising supervision and matching the strategy with the Group’s business objectives,
- monitoring and conducting evaluations of projects and undertakings implemented under the strategy,
- conducting analyses of the organization in terms of Responsible Banking and compliance with corporate culture standards.

On June 4, 2019 Michał Gajewski, CEO of Santander Bank Polska, was appointed to the Board of the Responsible Business Forum (FOB), the largest organization promoting responsible business standards in Poland. The involvement of a representative of the top management of Santander Bank Polska in FOB activities is a proof that the Principles of Responsible Banking are part of our business strategy.