Relations with national, European and international institutions and advocacy actions

Intesa Sanpaolo's relation with Italian think tanks and professional and industry associations is made of an intense activity of dialogue and common commitment, in which the theme of sustainability became central over time.

Therefore, the ISP Group collaborates with various national associations and stakeholders promoting initiatives and partnerships on issues related to climate change, non-financial reporting and circular economy.  Within the Italian Banking Association (ABI), Intesa Sanpaolo takes part in specific Working Groups (WGs), focused ondealing with the relationship between financial risks and climate change, socially responsible investing or social investment, sustainability and non-financial reporting. The ISP Group contributes, with the expertise of the various business divisions and governance areas, to define ABI's position on sustainability, with the aim of a productive dialogue with national and European decision-makers. In 2019, analysis and studies of the WGs focused primarily on themes related to the Commission's Action Plan on sustainable finance and to taxonomy, an EU classification system to determine whether an economic activity is environmentally sustainable and on sustainability-related disclosures in the financial services sector. In this context, activities on the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) risks and on the integration of the ESG risks in the management framework were implemented.

In addition to the work within ABI, Intesa Sanpaolo Group is enhancing its relationship with the leading Italian trade associations with the aim of increasing awareness about sustainability and ESG criteria among companies and networks. In particular, in line with this latter objective, the collaboration between ISP and Confindustria, the main Italian association representing manufacturing and service companies, has been developed on the sustainability and non-financial reporting themes.

In 2019, the collaboration with the COTEC Foundation which has the objective to promote and to encourage innovation and technological development in Italy was also carried out. The Intesa Sanpaolo Group is also involved in the outline of the Foundation’s Business Plan which will be focused on the ESG criteria.

ISP also participated to the work of the Italian Observatory for Sustainable Finance promoted by the Ministry of the Environment and the Protection of the Territory and the Sea (MATTM), which brings together national relevant stakeholders from the public and private sector, taking part in the Plenary and in different working groups, such as the Italian Financial Center for Sustainability and Sustainable Reindustrialization

The issues of access to credit (public guarantees) and grants and/or alternative tools to promote the competitiveness of companies, also deepened in the Plenary and in differentcontext of working groups, such as the Italian Financial Center for Sustainability leaded by banking and finance associations (ABI and Sustainable Reindustrialization.Febaf), as well as through direct talks with national and local public institutions, were also given special attention. A detailed monitoring of grants offered by regions and regional financial companies has been prepared. A specific focus in this area has been reserved to those aimed at supporting innovative companies, new-established companies (start-ups) and youth entrepreneurship.