Environment and Society
As a leading project and export finance institution and as a 100% subsidiary of KfW Bankengruppe we are well aware of our special social responsibility, from which we draw consequences for sustained action. For us sustainability means using available resources in a way that ensures the basis of life and the quality of life of future generations. For this reason all projects are examined for environmental and social aspects.
In this context KfW Bankengruppe introduced a guideline demanding consideration of environmental and social impacts of the projects (co-)financed by it in the area of international project and export finance. In addition, the bank introduced an Environmental Management System that is binding for all business units. Both elements were adopted by KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH without restriction.
Our environmental standards are high: In the appraisal and assessment of our projects we take the material standards of the World Bank as minimum standards. The "safeguard policies" of the World Bank serve as the yardstick for the avoidance or alleviation of negative social impacts.
We follow the core message of the sustainability principle, according to which economic activity has to ensure the basis of life of future generations, which means carefully weighing all interests and concerns – both ecological and economic – against each other. The general rule is: KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH only participates in the financing of projects that comply with the environmental standards of the host country or other relevant laws. We will not participate in the financing of projects that cause an unacceptable impact on the environment.
On March 1st 2008 KfW IPEX-Bank adopted the Equator Principles. The Equator Principles Implementation Reporting shows the classification of KfW IPEX-Bank's activities in 2009 with reference to the Equator Principles.
Further Information
- The environmental and social guidelines of KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH (PDF, 75 KB, non-accessible)
- The Equator Principles
