BNP Paribas, 1st French bank for Corporate Knights and 1st European bank for the V.E. agency

In 2021, for the third consecutive year, BNP Paribas was doubly assessed by the agency V.E, and obtained superlative results in both cases.

In December 2021, the Group thus obtained the maximum rating of A1+ following its third solicited rating, as well as an updated score of 71/100 for its ESG Profile. These results enable the Group to maintain its position as the first bank in the "Diversified Banks" sector in Europe (out of a total of 31 companies) and to position itself in the global top 1% (across all sectors and regions) of companies rated by the agency to date, which represents more than 4,800 entities. They also enable BNP Paribas to remain a constituent of the Euronext ethical indices.

Performed every two years through the completion of a detailed questionnaire (updated every other year), the ESG Profile covers 21 themes related to the environmental, social and governance issues of the assessed company. In 2021, BNP Paribas particularly distinguished itself (with a score greater than or equal to 80/100) in terms of environmental strategy, non-discrimination and diversity, career management, and governance of the Board of Directors.

Complementing and enriching the analysis of the ESG Profile, V.E solicited rating is based on a qualitative review of the most material CSR issues the Group has to address. It is performed through the organization of high-level interviews with key players of BNP Paribas’ ESG risk management, with a specific focus on Reputation, Operational Efficiency, Human Capital and Legal Security. This year, Group policies pertaining to the fight against climate change and the protection of biodiversity, dialogue with employee representative bodies, and ethics applied to artificial intelligence and data protection, were discussed during the interviews.

V.E (formerly Vigeo Eiris) is a key player in extra-financial analysis, and was acquired by Moody's in April 2019. Its activities cover the production of ESG scores, climate data, and sustainability ratings, as well as the sustainable finance certification.

FSTE Russell gave BNP Paribas a rating of 4.4/5 as part of its ESG Rating*, positioning the Group in the top 4% of companies in the banking sector. BNP Paribas thus remains a constituent in the FTSE4Good ethical index series, which integrate companies demonstrating advanced environmental, social and governance practices, in application of recognized international standards.

Launched in 2001, the FTSE4Good ethical index series integrate companies working in favor of the environment, striving to develop dialogue with their stakeholders, and supporting universal human rights principles. Established by FTSE Russell, a subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange Group, the FTSE4Good series is based on the results of the ESG Rating, which scores companies on eight major extra-financial dimensions. 

For the 8th consecutive year, BNP Paribas secured an A- rating, positioning itself in the Leadership category, in the evaluation of the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) analyzing the quality of companies and communities’ climate change disclosure. In 2021, more than 13,000 companies responded to the CDP climate questionnaire.

Founded in 2000, the CDP is a non-profit organization working towards the harmonization and transparency of companies, cities, states and regions’ publications relating to their environmental impacts. The CDP has established itself as the gold standard of environmental reporting with the richest and most comprehensive dataset on corporate and city action.