Banco Santander Sustainability Profile
Banco Santander, officially known as Banco Santander, S.A., is a leading global financial institution headquartered in Spain (ES). Established in 1857, the bank has grown to become one of the largest banks in Europe, with significant operations across key regions including the UK, Latin America, and the United States. Specialising in retail and commercial banking, Santander offers a diverse range of services, including personal and business banking, mortgages, and investment solutions. Its commitment to innovation and customer-centric services sets it apart in the competitive banking landscape. With a strong market position, Banco Santander has achieved notable milestones, such as its successful digital transformation and expansion into emerging markets. The bank continues to focus on sustainable finance and enhancing customer experience, solidifying its reputation as a trusted financial partner.
DitchCarbon Score
How does Banco Santander's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Industry Average
Mean score of companies in the Financial Intermediation industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Industry Benchmark
Banco Santander's score of 54 is higher than 72% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
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Banco Santander's reported carbon emissions
In 2024, Banco Santander reported total carbon emissions of approximately 1,175,915,000 kg CO2e, comprising 35,503,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1, 24,350,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2 (market-based), and about 1,116,061,000 kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions. The bank has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025 and to source 100% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by the same year. Additionally, Santander plans to completely eliminate its exposure to thermal coal producers by 2030. The bank's long-term goal includes achieving net-zero emissions across all scopes by 2050, aligning with the Paris Agreement's climate goals. Santander Asset Management has also committed to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its managed assets by 2050. In terms of emissions intensity, the bank has reported a significant reduction target of 46% in Scope 1 emissions per MWh by 2030, from 0.21 tCO2e/MWh to 0.11 tCO2e/MWh. These initiatives reflect Santander's commitment to sustainability and responsible banking practices, contributing to a broader industry effort to mitigate climate change impacts.
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| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | - | - | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 000,000 | 000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 259,567,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | - | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | - | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
How Carbon Intensive is Banco Santander's Industry?
How Carbon Intensive is Banco Santander's Location?
Banco Santander's Scope 3 Categories Breakdown
Banco Santander's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 790% last year and increased by approximately 741% since 2016, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Nearly all of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, representing nearly all emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Purchased Goods and Services" being the largest emissions source at 63% of Scope 3 emissions.
Top Scope 3 Categories
Banco Santander's Climate Goals (2030 & 2050)
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Banco Santander has not publicly committed to specific 2030 or 2050 climate goals through the major frameworks we track. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.
