Overview of the previous 2022–2024 Sustainability Plan

In 2024, we concluded the 2022–2024 Sustainability Plan with very positive results. Over these three years, we succeeded in embedding sustainability across all areas of the organisation. Proof of this are the more than 100 initiatives launched during this period. Every area and subsidiary of the organisation has taken part. In many cases, they assumed a leading role. This includes our branch in Portugal.

In 2024, the final year of our Sustainability Plan, we carried out 21 key initiatives. These are already generating tangible results. In addition, we made progress on another 50 actions currently under way. We expect to complete them in the first half of the new 2025–2027 Sustainability Plan.

Among our initiatives, those supporting customers during the energy transition stand out. These focus especially on home energy efficiency and clean mobility. We have also launched actions in the circular economy, social inclusion, and social innovation. These efforts strengthen our commitment to responsible growth.

Some examples of implemented initiatives include:

• Environmental finance: In 2023 and 2024, we succeeded in achieving traceability for most green finance products. This enables us to monitor them. We provide a quarterly report on all green financing. We present it to the CaixaBank Group Sustainability Committee and the CaixaBank Payments & Consumer Management Committee. We traced the financing of more than 15,000 vehicles with 0 and ECO labels. We also traced over 4,500 solar panel financings.
• Mobilising social finance: On the one hand, we managed to trace most social financing—mainly student loans. We monitor and report on it alongside green mobilisation. On the other hand, we consolidated the management process for securing the Social Premium in equipment leasing operations. Our subsidiary CaixaBank Equipment Finance carries out these operations. In 2024, our subsidiary CaixaBank Equipment Finance carried out 15 operations through its equipment leasing activity. These had a financed amount of €31.1 million. They funded technological equipment for hospitals and public or state-assisted schools. To a lesser extent, they funded equipment for social organisations. These operations obtained the Social Premium. They met the eligibility criteria of CaixaBank’s Sustainable Development Goals Financing Framework.
• Internal decarbonisation: 
  • As part of our commitment to decarbonisation and the circular economy, we improved the recycling process for the cards our customers return at our branches. Through a more efficient and transparent recycling system, we can now track the destination of each recycled card and inform each customer what their old card has been turned into. The cards are transformed into urban furniture such as benches and trash bins, helping reduce tonnes of plastic waste and strengthening the link between sustainability and the customer experience.

     

     

     

  • We also relaunched the second limited edition of 20,000 cards made from recycled plastic collected from oceans and beaches, intended for Imagin customers.

    

• Governance and transparency:
  • On transparency and responsible marketing, we introduced more than 10 initiatives. They improve the commercialisation of various cards, such as My Card, Imagin & Go, and other Imagin cards. We also covered most cards marketed by CaixaBank (over 300). We placed special emphasis on revolving credit products. In addition, we created specific Financial Education content on the corporate website. It links to our products—cards, credit lines, and loans. This makes various financial concepts more accessible to our customers through clear explanations. 
  • At the governance level, we integrated sustainability into several internal processes. For example, we included the Sustainability Department in the Product Committee. This group reviews all new products before launch. We also require the department to review all commercial communications that include sustainability aspects. This rule now appears formally in the Corporate Commercial Communications Policy Manual.
  • We extended corporate sustainability policies to our subsidiaries. Their governing bodies must approve them. These policies include four key documents that outline the CaixaBank Group’s position on sustainability: Sustainability Principles; Human Rights Principles; Climate Change Declaration; Nature Declaration.

New 2025–2027 Sustainability Plan

We developed the new 2025-2027 Sustainability Plan collaboratively. We created it in parallel with CaixaBank’s 2025–2027 Sustainability Plan. It extends that strategy and adapts it to payments and consumer finance.

This new plan continues the three ambitions—environmental, social, and governance—of the previous plan. It follows the strategic lines. At the same time, it updates, strengthens, and defines other aspects. It places particular emphasis on the social ambition.

• Environmental ambition: Our focus remains on supporting our customers in the energy transition. This covers the fields of sustainable mobility and energy-efficient homes, through tailored solutions that combine preferential financing with personalised guidance. We remain committed to decarbonising our operations. For card-related activities, we promote digital-first options to reduce physical card use. We also innovate with sustainable materials and improve recycling processes.  Finally, we aim to further reduce our environmental footprint: Scope 1: by transitioning our entire commercial fleet to more efficient models. Scope 3: by cutting emissions across our value chain and in corporate travel. 
• Social ambition: Financial and social inclusion remains a priority. Initiatives such as the Braille card or POS terminals for visually impaired people are clear examples carried out in this area. To this, we add two new lines of action. On the one hand, we foster employability and entrepreneurship through financial products such as loans for vocational training and university studies. On the other hand, we respond to increasing longevity with financial solutions and products aimed at the senior population. These are designed to help people prepare for this stage of life.
• Governance ambition: The integration of ESG aspects into management and decision-making remains in the new plan. This is due to their importance. They are already embedded within the organisation, in Product Committees, the Management Committee, and the more operational aspects. We also continue to promote a culture of sustainability among our employees. We offer them an inclusive workplace environment. We foster their talent and professional development.

At CaixaBank Payments & Consumer, we continue to join CaixaBank Group’s commitments. We advance together towards the sustainability of our environment. This has always been our way of working. 

We also wish to reinforce our commitment to the United Nations 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDGs stand for Sustainable Development Goals. In particular, we focus on the following five, where our activity has the most direct impact: