Group positions and sector policies

As a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact in 2003, BNP Paribas is gradually strengthening its environmental commitments and actions as part of its CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) strategy to support its clients’ transition towards more sustainable practices. In May 2024, BNP Paribas updated the environmental framework that steers several Group policies.

Released for the first time in 2010, this sector policy has been updated regularly over the years to incorporate criteria that are more binding. Its latest commitment, made in May 2020, announced a full exit from thermal coal by 2030 in European Union and OECD countries and by 2040 in the rest of the world.

“Coal-fired power generation” sector policy

Mining is a source of GDP for many countries and also supplies basic elements to most economic sectors. Many ores are also key to the energy transition, for example in playing a predominant role in electric vehicles or wind and solar power. The Financing and Investment Policy governs BNP Paribas’ activities in the mining industry.

our mining industry policy

In 2017, BNP Paribas defined an initial financing and investment policy for this sector, focusing in particular on non-conventional oil and gas. The following year, BNP Paribas strengthened its restrictions and funding criteria in the particularly sensitive ecosystems of the Amazon and the Arctic, an area for which the Group adopted the definition of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme in 2022.

Our oil & gas sector policy

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, nuclear power supplied 10% of electricity generated worldwide in 2023. Moreover, all of the IPCC’s “net zero” scenarios incorporate nuclear power into the projected energy mix. Through this policy, BNP Paribas wants to ensure that the projects that it helps finance are in compliance with global principles of monitoring and attenuating environmental and social impacts for the nuclear energy sector.

our nuclear energy sector policy

Since 2017, the palm oil policy has included an assessment of new palm oil plantations, based on the High Carbon Stock (HCS) approach to protect forests with high carbon stocks, making it one of the most advanced policies in the financial sector.

our palm oil sector policy

As an important source of revenue for thousands of people, wood pulp production can also have environmental impacts, notably on deforestation. BNP Paribas’ wood pulp policy is mainly based on the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC) to ensure the sustainable management of forests.

our wood pulp sector policy

In February 2021, BNP Paribas incorporated new criteria into its agriculture policy to combat deforestation in Amazonia and the Cerrado. BNP Paribas expects its clients producing or buying beef or soy from Amazonia and the Cerrado in Brazil to have put in place a zero-deforestation strategy by end of 2025 and to demonstrate their progress in a transparent manner.

our agriculture sector policy

The scientific community continues to warn that biodiversity and ecosystems are being degraded at an exceptional and alarming rate (IPBES, 2019). In 2021, BNP Paribas published its position on natural capital and biodiversity to affirm its commitment to preserving biodiversity through its financing and investments. This has been put into place through the inclusion of biodiversity criteria in financing and investment policies since 2012, an ongoing dialogue with clients in the most sensitive sectors, and the provision of products and services based on nature-based solutions.

In 2019, the Group also published its position on the Ocean to work with its clients to achieve the SDG 14 (“Aquatic Life”) for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of the Ocean.

In accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, BNP Paribas has developed a financing and investment policy specifically designed to govern transactions in the sectors of defence and security. While recognising each country’s right to defend its interests and protect its national security, this policy takes into account the risks that are specific to this sector.

The defence and security sector is essential to the protection of democracies and their citizens. BNP Paribas reaffirms its commitment to support the financing of companies in the defence sector, mainly within NATO countries, and particularly countries in Europe. The Group has developed a policy to oversee all its activities in relation to the defence and security industry.

Originally published in 2010 and last updated in 2025, BNP Paribas’ defence policy excludes the financing of weapons governed by major international agreements, such as antipersonnel mines or cluster bombs. In addition, this policy excludes any transaction related to the export of defence and security equipment to a country with which the transaction would pose a major human rights risk.

our defence and security sector policy