Direct environmental impacts

Intesa Sanpaolo supports the transition to a low-emission economy through direct emission mitigation actions and support for green initiatives and projects. 

Intesa Sanpaolo's commitment to the environment takes the form of self-regulatory environmental and energy instruments that define the strategic and operational guidelines within which the Group implements the initiatives for environmental protection and reduction of its ecological footprint as required by the Environmental and Energy Policy Rules and other environmental policies issued by the Intesa Sanpaolo Group.

For years, Intesa Sanpaolo has been active in promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency and the circular business model, supporting companies at the forefront of reducing their environmental footprint. 

The Group Code of Ethics and the Environmental and Energy Rules, approved by the Top Management, define the principles and guidelines relating to the Group's environmental responsibility and the control of direct and indirect impacts generated by its business, also through the issuing of specific policies, which set the necessary actions for mitigating climate change.

In line with its environmental responsibility commitments, Intesa Sanpaolo since 2009 has set medium to long-term objectives through the preparation of specific environmental action plans. 

The first Intesa Sanpaolo Environmental Plan covered the period 2009-2013, followed by the 2013-2016 plan and the 2017-2022 Climate Change Action Plan. All the Plans have set measurable objectives in the areas of energy saving, economic savings and the reduction of CO₂ emissions. The perimeter, limited to Italy in the first plan, has expanded over time to include International Subsidiary Banks.

As a demonstration of the strategic importance of climate change, the Group confirmed the net-zero target in 2021 by joining the main Net-Zero initiatives promoted by UNEP FI, further strengthening it in the 2022-2025 Business Plan. 

In light of the growing strategic relevance of CO2 emissions, Intesa Sanpaolo published a plan in 2022 called the “Own Emissions Plan.”

The targets set in the Plan for 2030 are:

• 100% of electricity purchased from renewable sources at Group level by 2030, wherever feasible across the geographies in which the Group operates;
• Carbon neutrality with a reduction of at least 53% in Scope 1 and 2 Market-Based emissions compared to 2019. 

On 27 January 2025, SBTi validated Intesa Sanpaolo's Scope 1 + Scope 2 target.

At the end of 2025, there was a 39% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 Market-Based emissions compared to 2019, in line with the provisions of the intervention plans and a purchase of electricity from renewable sources of 95.3% .

The 2026-2029 Business Plan confirms the net-zero target for its emissions by 2050 with the 2023 target of 53% reduction in absolute emissions Scope 1 + Scope 2 vs 2019 baseline (target validated by SBTi), carbon neutrality by 2030. Purchase of 100% electricity from renewable sources by 2030, at Group level in the geographies where it is possible.

At the following link, it is possible to view the results achieved by the Bank over the last three years in the management of direct impacts, namely those generated by its own operations.