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    Equator Principles

    KfW IPEX-Bank is committed to responsibly and appropriately considering environmental and social aspects into its financing and advisory activities. To ensure this, KfW IPEX-Bank conducts an Environmental and Social Appraisal for each of its activities it supports. This appraisal is based on internationally recognized standards, including the Equator Principles, which guide the identification, assessment and subsequent management of environmental and social impacts and risks throughout the project lifecycle. KfW IPEX-Bank has been a signatory to the Equator Principles (EP) since 1 March 2008.

    The EP framework consists of ten Principles and applies globally across all industry sectors, and to five financial products:

    • Project-related corporate finance
    • Bridge loans for subsequent project finance
    • Project-related refinance and project-related acquisition finance
    • The provision of advice on project finance and project-related corporate finance

    The EP classify environmental and social impacts as high, moderate or low, based on the environmental and social standards of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. These environmental and social standards are set out in the IFC's so-called “Performance Standards”, as well as in the Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines of the World Bank Group.

    Applying the Equator Principles at KfW IPEX-Bank

    KfW IPEX-Bank conducts its financing and advisory activities in line with the Equator Principles and operates business in accordance with its own Sustainability Guideline, which goes beyond the Equator Principles by categorising all financing activities, not only the products listed above.

    History and impact of the Equator Principles

    Since the initial introduction of the EP in 2003, the framework has been revised and amended from time to time. The latest iteration of the Equator Principles came into effect on 1 October 2020 and can be accessed via the EP website. The EP provide guidance to both borrowers and lenders on how to assess projects and how improvement measures can be incorporated into project and loan agreements. Signatories to the Equator Principles Association use the framework provided by the Equator Principles and integrate it into their own policies.

    Further Information:

    Equator Principles

    For a list of businesses reporting their greenhouse gas emissions according to internationally recognised standards go to:

    Greenhouse Gas Protocol