Santander will turn off the lights at buildings and branches with staff or lighting that it can shut down remotely in view of restrictions in the countries where it operates.

The bank’s operations became carbon-neutral in 2020 by dint of its efficiency measures and carbon offsetting plan that includes renewable energy projects, reforestation and fossil fuel alternatives. 

The measures Santander will take to make good on its pledge of net-zero emissions by 2050 to combat climate change include ending services to electricity producers that rely on coal for more than 10% of their revenues by 2030. 

Madrid, March 27, 2021 – NOTA DE PRENSA
Today Banco Santander is joining the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) global Earth Hour movement with a symbolic blackout of its buildings and offices in Spain, Portugal, United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, Chile and Mexico from 20.30 to 21.30 (CET).

This year, Santander is echoing the NGO’s message to spread awareness of this decisive moment and urgent need to act now against the current climate crisis. Its slogan, 'Connect to Nature', serves as a reminder of how nature protects us, feeds us and is our main source of vitality.

In light of the pandemic and related restrictions on movement in some countries, the bank will turn off the lights in buildings and branches with maintenance staff or lights that it can cut remotely. It has also encouraged its employees to join the cause, which is one of the pillars of its Responsible Banking strategy.

Environmental oath

The bank is working in the markets where it operates to ensure it has little impact on the environment and to lead the transition towards a low-carbon economy, accompanying its customers along the way. It has also pledged to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement to combat climate change.

Its latest step was to announce decarbonization targets in February for net-zero emissions by 2050.

The bank, which last year topped the charts in renewable energy financing, will align its power generation portfolio to the Paris Agreement by 2030, cease to provide financial services to clients that rely on coal for more than 10% of their revenues, and eliminate its exposure to thermal coal mining worldwide.

Having achieved carbon neutrality in 2020, it has made other climate change and environmental pledges, such as sourcing its entire electricity supply from renewable energy in its core markets by 2025; helping its customers transition to a low-carbon economy; and financing and mobilizing 220 billion euros in green finance between 2019 and 2030.