| Red Line | Text of policies | Comments | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulatory requirements | |||
| Ensure Legality | Climate change and Environmental Management policy In order to balance its business activity and its social and environmental interests, Santander Bank refers to the International Finance Corporation guidelines and the Equator Principles to authorise lending transactions subject to this policy and the sectoral policies, following the best practices put forth by stakeholders in this sector. Santander (...) business units identify social and environmental risks, (...) Furthermore, these units demonstrate compliance with relevant legislation and regulations and that the projects comply with the minimum requirements stipulated in the Bank’s policy. · Human rights policy In relation to its clients, Santander Group has acquired public commitments such as the Equator Principles, as well as the application of its own sectorial polices and General Code of Conduct (...) its commitment in accordance with such the main international declarations as: • The International Bill of Human Rights, created by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (...), and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; • The ILO’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work; • Tripartite declaration of principles of the ILO concerning multinational enterprises and social policy; • The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; • National Action Plan for Companies and Human Rights • OECD guidelines for multinational companies; • The ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact; • The Equator Principles | Clients are required to comply with national laws and key international standards. | well |
| No Corruption and Tax Evasion | · Human rights policy As a signatory of the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact, Santander Bank undertakes to work against corruption of all types, including extortion and bribery. Santander Bank is a founding member of the Wolfsberg Group (...). Code of Conduct In the marketing and sale of financial products and services, no type of tax advice or planning may be provided to customers beyond information on the possible fiscal implications of the product being contracted (..) Banco Santander (...) has a zero tolerance with regards to tax evasion General Sustainability Policy It will be particularly diligent to prevent and avoid the funding of illegal activity in compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing rules and by taking any additional measures deemed necessary | The financial crimes policies apply mostly to the bank itself, there are no clear requirements for clients | partly |
| Ensure ESIA for mills and plantations | No publicly available policies or documentation were found that cover this criteria. | not | |
| Social requirements | |||
| Ensure FPIC | No publicly available policies or documentation were found that cover this criteria. | not | |
| Respect Human Rights | · Human rights policy In relation to its clients, Santander Group has acquired public commitments such as the Equator Principles, as well as the application of its own sectorial polices and General Code of Conduct, (...). Santander Group undertakes to disseminate the compliance of its human rights policy among its business partners, especially those whose origin, activity or importance to the Santander advise it. Santander Group stance on this matter and establishes principles on which its commitment in accordance with such the main international declarations as: • The International Bill of Human Rights, created by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly through the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its two protocols, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights • The International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work • Tripartite declaration of principles of the International Labour Organization concerning multinational enterprises and social policy • The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights • National Action Plan for Companies and Human Rights • OECD guidelines for multinational companies • The ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact • The Equator Principles | The bank commits to "disseminate the compliance of its human rights policy among its business partners", but does not require clients to prove they respect human rights. | partly |
| Respect Indigenous rights and customary land use rights | No publicly available policies or documentation were found that cover this criteria. | not | |
| No forced resettlement | No publicly available policies or documentation were found that cover this criteria. | not | |
| Environmental Requirements | |||
| No forest degradation and deforestation | Soft Commodities policy (2018) Prohibited activities: Developments in forested peatlands in High-Risk Geographies Extraction and sale of native tropical wood species not certified to FSC. Production facilities located in areas classified as Ramsar Sites, World Heritage Sites or IUCN categories I, II, III or IV. Restricted: Processes with an environmental impact in high ecological or social value forests listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Extraction and sale of native timber species. Forestry plantations in forests listed as protected by official bodies. Developments in any forested areas that have suffered forest fires or mass deforestation in the last five years. Financing of activities that create the expansion of the agricultural/plantations frontier to the detriment of natural forest. General Sustainability Policy • Prohibited Activities: o Activities (...) affecting areas included on the UN List of Protected Areas, when the requirements detailed for restricted activities are not met. o Activities concerning species included under Appendix I of CITES or on national lists (...) • Restricted activities: o Activities concerning species included under Appendices II and III of CITES or on national lists (...) o Activities (...) affecting areas included on the UN List of Protected Areas, considering that conditions defined by IFC PS6 (...) are complied with. | Many areas are protected, but conversion of natural forests or operations in protected areas are not prohibited | partly |
| Protect endangered species | Soft Commodities policy (2018) Prohibited activities: Extraction and sale of native tropical wood species not certified to FSC. Restricted: Processes with an environmental impact in high ecological or social value forests listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. General Sustainability Policy • Prohibited Activities: o Activities concerning species included under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) or on national lists (unless the activities are meant to protect such species). • Restricted activities: The following criteria described as restricted activities will be applied to all type of lending, financial consulting services and equity provided by Santander Corporate and Investment Banking giving special attention to social and environmental risks related to: o Activities concerning species included under Appendices II and III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) or on national lists (unless the activities are meant to protect such species). | There is protetection for CITES species, but nor for IUCN Red list species | partly |
| No high-risk species | No publicly available policies or documentation were found that cover this criteria. | not | |
| No fire | Soft Commodities policy (2018) Restricted: Developments in any forested areas that have suffered forest fires or mass deforestation in the last five years. | The policy provides some protection, but still does not prohibit the use of controlled fire | partly |
| Protect peat | Soft Commodities policy (2018) Prohibited activities: Santander Group will not provide financial products and/or services to any of the following activities: Developments in forested peatlands in High-Risk Geographies | The policy provides some protection, but there is no complete prohibition of peat developments | partly |
| No persistent pollution | No publicly available policies or documentation were found that cover this criteria. | not | |
| Corporate association / scope of the policy | |||
| Corporate association / scope of the policy | No publicly available policies or documentation were found that cover this criteria. | not |
