How CaixaBank is Transforming Sustainable Banking & Finance

Sustainability goals have an increasingly large influence on the finance sector, with global ESG assets projected to reach US$34tn by 2026.

Spanish financial services company CaixaBank serves more than 20 million customers in its 4,106 branches across Spain and Portugal.

Its sustainability goals guide its business practices and help prepare for the future of the banking and finance industries.

CaixaBank plans to mobilise €100bn (US$116bn) between 2025 and 2027 to help build a greener economy.

It is focusing on driving decarbonisation in society and business by meeting annual net zero goals aligned with 2030 target pathways.

It also plans to engage with 90% of high-carbon emission companies to support and finance their transition into a more sustainable business.

CaixaBank says it will invest in current and future transition solutions including renewable energy, clean mobility, industrial decarbonisation and financial inclusion.

CaixaBank’s Environmental and Climate Strategy

CaixaBank recognises the importance of guiding other companies towards a carbon neutral economy as well as reviewing the impact of its own activity.

It has developed an Environmental and Climate Strategy which aims to contribute to its goals of financing and investing in sustainable projects.

It is committed to being carbon neutral by 2050 and is working to move its investment portfolios towards zero greenhouse gas emissions.

CaixaBank has pledged to stop financing companies involved in thermal coal activities, which will help reduce its climate impact.

How CaixaBank is reducing carbon emissions

To help reduce carbon emissions, CaixaBank has implemented several sustainability initiatives.

Fluorescent lighting has been replaced with LED lighting in CaixaBank’s branch network and motion sensors and light turn-off systems have been introduced.

In 2024, the bank achieved a 27.8% reduction in energy consumption across its facilities compared to its 2021 baseline.

CaixaBank prioritises waste management and the transition from linear consumption practices to circularity, aiming to minimise its Scope 3 emissions.

It uses selective waste collection to recover and recycle waste and its corporate buildings are free from single-use plastic.

The company has launched regular awareness campaigns for staff to reduce their waste generation and it has significantly reduced its waste produced from toner cartridges since 2021.

It has introduced practices to reduce its paper consumption, including allowing digital signatures, offering an option to not print a receipt at ATMs and changing invoicing into a fully electronic process.

These changes have reduced the company’s paper consumption by 40%.

Mobilising sustainable finance

CaixaBank has boosted the mobilisation of sustainable finance, reaching €20.99bn (US$24bn) in the first half of 2025.

The majority of this mobilisation has come from financing, with the rest coming from intermediation through asset management, investment funds, pension plans and bond placement.

Its transition towards sustainability has enabled the creation of projects linked to the reduction of the carbon footprint in emission-intensive activities with no viable clean alternatives.

In its Sustainability Plan, CaixaBank also focuses on social and financial inclusion.

It is committed to maintaining its presence in rural areas, providing mobile offices and ATMs.

CaixaBank aims to make its in-person and online services more accessible, including making legal information more understandable and providing support and education for people in vulnerable situations.

Maria Luisa Martinez Gistau, Chief Executive of Communications and International Relations at CaixaBank, said on LinkedIn: “At CaixaBank we continue to move towards a more sustainable economy.

“In the first half of 2025, we have mobilised almost €21bn (US$24bn) in sustainable finance. 

“This means that we have already reached more than 60% of the annual target set in our 2025-2027 Sustainability Plan.”