The European Investment Bank published its 2021 activity report
A new year usually comes with more ambitious resolutions, but it is also a time to look back at the achievements that have been reached. This was also the case for the European Investment Bank (EIB), which recentlypublished its 2021 Activity Report. DThe report and the statements of EIB’s President, Dr. Werner Hoyer, speak for themselves: they highlight a series of important news and show the EIB’s new impetus towards the promotion of enabling investments for the UN 2030 Agenda.
The European Investment Bank: a global commitment to promote sustainable growth
The European Investment Bank has a global reach, with investments disbursed both in Europe and non-EU countries and a commitment to promote sustainable growth, with a transition towards a green, inclusive and healthy world.
As regards the green transition, the EIB has been recognized by the EU as an important European Climate Bank, following the publication of the new 2021-2025 Climate Plan. The Plan sets ambitious goals, such as the allocation of €1 trillion in climate investments by 2030 and the adoption of new tools and approaches to better integrate environmental and social aspects into investment policies and technical standards.
In 2021, the European Investment Bank has successfully implemented the first innovations envisaged by the Plan and allocated climate action financing for about 51% of its total funds.
The European Investment Bank financing in Europe and outside the EU
Italy was also a recipient of EIB’s investments, with a record figure of €13.5 billion in 2021, of which more than half were allocated to small and medium-sized enterprises to protect jobs and foster innovation and digitalization. Moreover, the environment represented an increasing thematic focus of EIB’s financing (30% of Italy’s resources were allocated to the fight against climate change).
The EIB’s engagement outside the EU borders amounts to more than €70 billion in the period 2012-2021, with significant positive impacts and improvements on human development. For instance, 45 million people were given safer access to drinking water resources.
EIB’s external action commitment is growing at a fast pace and a further step in this direction has been achieved with the launch of “EIB Global“, the EIB’s new branch dedicated to international partnerships and development finance outside the EU. The EIB plans to open more offices to strengthen its presence in developing countries. Furthermore, a series of thematic hubs will be established, the first of which was inaugurated in Nov. 2021 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The proposal of the Sustainable Financing Association
In this context, the Sustainable Financing Association has been working to advance the proposalto locate the EIB’s branch for climate change and sustainable development in the city of Trieste. In doing so, Trieste will increase its already consolidated competitiveness in the financial and insurance industries to become the Mediterranean hub for sustainable development. per lo sviluppo sostenibile.
This is a unique opportunity for Italythat comes at the perfect timing when EIB is increasing its global financing commitment and sustainable investments will be supported both by the European Green Deal and Italy’s Recovery Plan (PNRR).
The candidacy of Trieste as a branch of the EIB dedicated to climate change and sustainable development leverages Italy’s scientific and industrial excellence and it can positively contribute to fostering sustainable socio-economic development in the Mediterranean region and in the European neighborhood (both Eastern and Southern)
This is why the association’s commitment continues with determination to achieve this goal.
If you are interested in learning more about all the reasons behind the project that lead the city to apply for the role of the branch of the European Investment Bank, you will find the dedicated section on our website, just click HERE.
