Europe’s efforts to turn banks green

Last month, Spanish bank BBVA opened its headquarters in Madrid to welcome investors, business leaders, public and private institutions, to an event aimed at promoting sustainable development and the fight against climate change.
 
Group Executive Chairman Francisco González explained the reason for the meeting: “Banks need to help customers drive sustainable development and transition towards a low-carbon economy. We live at a time riddled with enormous environmental and social challenges. Increasing temperatures, atmospheric CO2 concentration, climate-related catastrophes, malnutrition, and poverty. Technology holds the key to taking on many of these challenges. Technology empowers and connects people and allows us to share knowledge. In other words, technology democratizes progress and well-being.”