Greenhouse gas emissions

Emissions into the atmosphere of greenhouse gases resulting from combustion residues are reduced every time technological innovations for the modernisation of plants introduce more energy-efficient systems. 

Some gases, of natural origin or from the chemical industry, are able to trap a portion of solar energy in the atmosphere causing a warming of the air. These gases are commonly called “greenhouse gases”.  Among the most damaging to the environment are the carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFC).

The Intesa Sanpaolo Group for years has been pursuing a progressive systematic reduction of its emissions and its ecological footprint through the adoption of various initiatives:

• Purchase of electricity from renewable sources with the optimisation of the energy efficiency of the consumption and the responsible management of resources to reduce the impact on the environment
• Development of mobility management initiatives that reduce emissions due to commuting
• Promotion of products and services aimed at the protection of the environment
• Evaluation of the environmental risks associated with business customer lending
• Participation in important international initiatives and collaboration with several international organisations to encourage dialogue between companies, international organizations for the development of sustainability guidelines
  
• The ongoing training of our employees.

In 2017, a multi-annual Environmental Sustainability Plan – Climate Change Action Plan – was prepared with targets for 2022 and 2037. In the Plan, the Intesa Sanpaolo Group declines CO₂ emission reduction targets, linked to its activities, taking 2012 as the reference year. 

As a demonstration of the strategic importance of climate change, in 2021 Intesa Sanpaolo has set itself the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 with reference to both its own emissions and those relating to loan and investment portfolios, for asset management and insurance business, joining the initiatives launched by UNEP FI, ​​in particular the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative (NZAMI)1, through Eurizon Capital SGR, Fideuram Asset Management SGR and Fideuram Asset Management Ireland, the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance (NZAOA) and the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA) through Intesa Sanpaolo Vita.

The Bank's commitment to contain CO₂ emissions is reflected in the implementation of the new Own Emissions Plan which identifies specific medium-long term actions aimed at reducing its consumption of natural gas, diesel and traditional electricity.

¹ On 13 January 2025, NZAMI initiated a review of the initiative to ensure its suitability for the new global context. During this review phase, the initiative will suspend activities aimed at monitoring implementation and reporting by signatories.

This section summarizes the emissions of the main greenhouse gases produced by Intesa Sanpaolo and the transformation factors used to calculate them. The following are also reported: the annual monitoring of the reduction actions of the environmental Plans and the CDP questionnaires, a non-profit organization that monitors the energy policies and performance of companies and their ability to manage the related economic opportunities and climate risks.