After the coronavirus crisis, the time will come to rebuild. This moment of recovery will be an opportunity to rethink our society and develop a new model of prosperity. The global alliance of cross-party political decision-makers, business and financial leaders, trade unions, NGOs, think tankers, stakeholders, calls to support and implement the establishment of Green Recovery Investment Packages acting as accelerators of the transition towards climate neutrality and healthy ecosystems. 
 

The Green Recovery alliance has been launched in the European Parliament on the back of calls from 12 EU environment ministers who have signed an appeal for a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to the 79 members of European Parliament from across the political spectrum, the alliance also brings together civil society groups, including 37 CEOs –Ana Botin among them-, 28 business associations, the European trade union confederation, 7 NGOs and 6 think tanks.

The manifesto launched last Tuesday May 5th by the Green Recovery Alliance states that “The coronavirus crisis is shaking the whole world, with devastating consequences across Europe. We are being put to the test. We are suffering and mourning our losses, and this crisis is testing the limits of our system. It is also a test of our great European solidarity and of our institutions, which acted fast at the start of the crisis to deploy measures to protect us.”

The document adds that “In this tremendously difficult situation, we are also facing another crisis: a shock to our economy tougher than the 2008 crisis. The major shock to the economy and workers created by the pandemic calls for a strong coordinated economic response.  The economic recovery will only come with massive investments to protect and create jobs and to support all the companies, regions and sectors that have suffered from the economy coming to a sudden halt.”

The alliance highlights that, after the crisis, the time will come to rebuild. “This moment of recovery will be an opportunity to rethink our society and develop a new model of prosperity. This new model will have to answer to our needs and priorities. We call on a global alliance of cross-party political decision-makers, business and financial leaders, trade unions, NGOs, think tankers, stakeholders, to support and implement the establishment of Green Recovery Investment Packages acting as accelerators of the transition towards climate neutrality and healthy ecosystems. We therefore commit to working together, sharing knowledge, exchanging expertise and creating synergies to deliver the investment decisions we need.” 

Manifesto concluded: “Covid-19 will not make climate change and nature degradation go away. We will not win the fight against covid-19 without a solid economic response. Let’s not oppose those two battles, but let’s fight and win them at the same time. By doing so, we will only be stronger together.”

Responsible Banking

Santander announced in 2019 its commitments to build a more responsible bank and to help address the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. We defined 11 responsible banking targets including the commitment to raise over €120 billion in green financing between 2019 and 2025.

In addition, Santander is one of the founding members of the Responsible Banking Principles, which were outlined by the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). The principles set the global standard for what it means to be a responsible bank and will ensure that banks create value for both their shareholders and society.