Commitments and strategy

ICO shows its commitment to sustainability and responsible management with its Sustainability Policy, and establishes the framework under which all its activities must be carried out.

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With its Environmental Policy, ICO is committed to making a constant effort to guarantee and advance in the efficient management of its processes, in order to actively promote the preservation of and respect for the environment.

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The purpose of this Policy is to promote the development of instruments that enable efficiency in the ICO's processes and resource management, with the aim of fostering the best satisfaction of its Mission and excellence in the development of its functions.

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With its Equality Plan, the ICO Group ensures the full and effective participation of women and equal leadership opportunities as reflected in its II Equality Plan. More information

The EFR certification recognises the good work-family balance practices developed by organisations such as the ICO Group, which are committed to promoting work-life balance. This initiative is particularly aligned with SDG 8.  More information
 

The ICO Group adopts internal and external policies to promote transparency, respect for Human Rights and sustainable supply chain management. To meet the challenges of the 21st century and build more peaceful and inclusive societies, it is necessary to establish efficient and transparent policies. More information
 

These regulations establish the policy framework for the institute's activities in the securities market.  More information
 

ICO is aware of the importance of the problem of money laundering and the role that financial institutions play in its prevention. For this reason, we collaborate with the competent authorities and join our efforts with those of the rest of the Spanish financial system in the fight against all forms of money laundering.
ICO's efforts are focused on establishing mandatory rules and procedures aimed at complying with the regulations in force, implementing rules of conduct and appropriate control and communication systems to prevent access to the institution by undesirable persons or groups, and establishing customer acceptance policies and procedures relating to the prevention of money laundering and ensuring that all its employees are aware of and comply with them.  
 

Initiative aimed at the development of a sustainable business fabric, by raising awareness among SMEs of the opportunities offered by the achievement of the SDGs and the importance of aligning their strategies with them. Through this website, small businesses can obtain information on how to incorporate the SDGs into their business.  More information
 

The activities and projects promoted by the ICO Foundation in the field of sustainability fall into two main areas:

• Art / Sustainable Architecture Area: focuses on the dissemination of architecture as an essential discipline for building sustainable societies, responding to current challenges and generating debates on housing, urban planning, etc.
• Sustainable Economy and Finance Area: concentrates on the following four thematic areas:

o    Financial and Economic Education and dissemination of economic and financial research and knowledge
o    Sustainability and Circular Economy. Sustainable finance
o    Financing and business growth, with a special focus on alternative finance.
o    Economic and Monetary Union and international economic and financial relations, with a special focus on Latin America.

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Initiative of the five largest national promotional banks—KFW (Germany), CDP (Italy), CDC (France), BGK (Poland), ICO—together with the EIB to support the development and implementation of circular economy projects and programmes in the European Union.
 

Initiative whose objective is the effective implementation of a sustainable model that helps to mitigate the effects of climate change and fight against pollution in the oceans, by financing projects that contribute to the efficient management of the processes of production and recycling of plastic waste to preserve the health of the oceans, as well as sustainable fishing and maritime transport.
 

A platform connecting National Development Banks to facilitate financing for water and sanitation projects in developing countries.  This activity aims to increase projects related to SDG 6 of the Paris Treaty and contribute to the protection of biodiversity. 

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 Partners since 2005. ICO is part of its Executive Committee. More information
 

Of special importance is the #ICOpymeODS  platform developed jointly by ICO, the UN Global Compact Spanish Network and the High Commissioner for the 2030 Agenda, aimed at developing a sustainable business fabric by raising awareness among SMEs of the opportunities offered by the achievement of the SDGs and the importance of aligning their strategies with them.  
 

This reflects the commitment of the Spanish banking sector to reduce its carbon footprint in the credit portfolios of the signatory entities. 
 

ICO is a partner of the International Capital Market Association (ICMA), one of the most active institutions internationally in the definition of certification for green bond issues. ICO has participated in the Working Group that drafted the "Social Bonds Principles" guide and is a member since 2019 of the Advisory Council of the Green Bond Principles and Social Bond Principles Executive Committee, being the only Spanish public entity and the only European National Promotional Bank that participates in this category of the Advisory Council.
 

Established in 2018 by the Loan Market Association (LMA) to qualify green lending operations around four basic pillars: ensuring the use of funds; undergoing a rigorous project evaluation and selection process; monitoring the management of funds; and following through to completion and implementation. ICO uses this standard to rate its green loans 
 

ICO has adhered to the Equator Principles since 2016. This set of internationally recognised principles in the financial sector aims to define a risk management framework for identifying, assessing and managing social and environmental risks linked to projects. ICO applies these environmental and social risk assessment and management standards in the financing of projects in Spain, Europe and Latin America.
 

ICO organises the annual ICO Forum on Sustainable Bonds in Madrid, where it brings together international investors and issuers to analyse and debate the new opportunities and challenges of the Sustainable Bond market. 
 

Forética is a leading organisation in sustainability and corporate social responsibility in Spain. Its mission is to integrate social, environmental and governance issues into the strategy and management of companies and organisations. ICO has been a partner of Forética since 2005. 
 

 ICO is part of this platform, constituted as a non-profit association, whose mission is to promote the integration of ESG criteria in investment policies, through dialogue between the investment community, public administrations and various social groups, contributing to sustainable development, as well as to raise awareness and promote changes in investment processes in companies and the general public. 
 

ICO maintains close collaboration with this Centre, promoted by various financial sector associations, which was created with the aim of addressing the difficulties and needs of the business sector and, in particular, Spanish SMEs, in order to make a positive contribution to the commitments of the 2030 Agenda.
 

ICO participates in the development of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, which aims to develop a guide to examine the coherence of policies to support business internationalisation and their alignment with the UN Guiding Principles on Human Rights.

ICO has joined the #dondeestanellas ("#wherearewomen") manifesto created by the European Parliament, with the commitment to increase the visibility of women in conferences and debates and to raise awareness of their contribution to the progress of the European Union.