The certificate confirms that Cecabank has implemented a system that meets the standards in place for effectively managing its environmental impact
The certification acknowledges Cecabank’s efforts to minimise its environmental impact, integrate sustainability into its business model, and promote the efficient use of resources
Cecabank is also making progress in its environmental policy as a carbon-neutral entity in its own operations in 2024, achieving 99% efficiency
Cecabank has been awarded the Environmental Management Certificate by AENOR. This certification confirms that the wholesale bank meets the requirements of the ISO 14001:2015 standard. It recognises that Cecabank has an effective environmental management system in place for supporting banking business processes across all its buildings in Madrid. It also certifies that the bank promotes environmental protection and pollution prevention, adopting an approach that balances environmental concerns with socio-economic considerations.
According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the benefits of implementing this environmental management standard include improved environmental performance, reduced treatment costs, and lower consumption of raw materials and energy. It also helps ensure compliance with current environmental legislation and enhances competitiveness in the market.
Cecabank holds several important certifications from AENOR and ISO, demonstrating its commitment to quality, efficiency, and sustainability. The new ISO 14001:2015 certification is in addition to those already obtained, highlighting the importance the bank places on excellence and continuous improvement across all areas of activity in order to provide the best possible service to its customers.
Cecabank, a carbon-neutral entity in its own operations
Cecabank is firmly committed to operating responsibly within its environment, adhering to the precautionary principle and mitigating its environmental impact both in its activities and its sphere of influence. The implementation and compliance of this commitment, led by a dedicated management team, involve not only all its employees but also all external agents and organisations carrying out activities on behalf of the bank.
The bank has implemented various policies and strategies to promote sustainable and responsible practices within its areas of operation. In 2024, Cecabank’s Board of Directors approved a new Sustainability Policy detailing the bank’s commitments to sustainability, which help build lasting relationships with its stakeholders. In addition, three other ESG policies were approved by the Board that same year: Responsible and Sustainable Investment Policy; Human Rights Policy; and Environmental Policy.
“In terms of climate change, Cecabank calculates and manages its carbon emissions, having achieved significant reductions in recent periods through efficiency measures, such as energy consumption in the bank’s facilities and the purchase of electricity with renewable origin certificates”, notes Guillermo González, Director of Real Estate, Security, and Services at Cecabank.
Since 2020, the bank has been offsetting scope 1+2 emissions and part of its scope 3 emissions, collaborating through other organisations in national and international projects. This calculation is also verified by AENOR, which issues its emissions report in accordance with the ISO 14064 reference standard.
For the third consecutive year, Cecabank has been carbon neutral in its own operations, offsetting 202 tCO2 in its scope 1 and 2 emissions and achieving 99% efficiency in 2024 compared to 2017, when the bank began managing its carbon footprint.
Additionally, the bank’s carbon footprint management actions have been recognised with the “I calculate, reduce, and offset” seal, awarded by the Spanish Office of Climate Change under the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge.
In the long term, the bank is committed to decarbonising its investment portfolios and achieving the goal of climate neutrality by 2050. These efforts reflect Cecabank’s dedication to integrating sustainability into its business model and positively contributing to society and the environment.
Enrique Megía, AENOR's Director in Madrid, explains: “The environmental management certification awarded to Cecabank by AENOR demonstrates its commitment to best practices in integrating sustainable criteria into its management model. In doing so, it sends a strong message of trust to its stakeholders, aligning the bank’s activities with the highest environmental standards”.
