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defence and the arms industry,
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hard coal mining, coal-fired power industry, and related businesses,
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other mining and power industry, petrochemical industry and metal manufacturing.
The bank’s regulations support the identification of environmental and social risks and the appropriate
management of relationships with clients who operate in areas that significantly affect the environment in which
we live.
We have a detailed policy on defence financing and activities related to the arms industry. We are not opposed to
establishing relationships with this type of client. We take the view that sovereign states, within the limits of the
law, regulations, national and international conventions, have the right to maintain public order, to participate in
joint military missions or peacekeeping missions, and to defend themselves and to have armed forces properly
equipped. In addition to legal prohibitions, as ING Bank Śląski we believe that certain companies, weapons and
activities violate our values and business ethics.
Due to the nature of the different types of weapons, we distinguish between Category A and Category B
controversial weapons. Category A includes cluster munitions, anti-personnel mines, depleted uranium munitions
and chemical and biological weapons. Category B includes nuclear weapons.
We do not fund controversial weapons and their key components. We do not finance clients or consortia directly
involved in controversial weapons, due to their particularly destructive nature and the results of their use: mass
casualties and destruction in the area under attack, from which it is difficult to exclude civilians. By key components
of controversial weapons we mean infrastructure, equipment parts and materials, services and programmes and
systems (mechanical, electronic and digital) specifically designed for controversial weapons.
We also do not finance transactions for the supply of arms, military equipment, technology or other goods where
there is a high risk of them being used for internal repression, violations of international humanitarian law, inciting
or prolonging armed conflict or aggravating existing tensions, or for other purposes that cannot be considered
legitimate in relation to national security or defence. The restrictions shall not apply to the conduct of activities in
connection with humanitarian missions or military peacekeeping missions established by international
communities.
We also do not provide financial services to companies or consortia in the defence sector that are clearly in the
business of providing arms, military equipment, technology or other goods to countries subject to UN, EU or US
arms embargoes or to terrorist groups, rebels and other non-governmental groups without appropriate UN, EU or
US approval.
As a bank, we have an influence on the financing and lending of projects that may have a significant negative
impact on society and the environment. Respect for human rights, environmental protection and sustainable
development are an important element of our long-term value-building strategy. We are aware of the perils arising
from irresponsible use of natural resources.
We support clients in conducting their business in a sustainable manner and encourage them to constantly
improve themselves in this area. We require that our clients to run their businesses in compliance with the
regulations governing social and environmental issues and that they should have all permits and licences required
under the law. Therefore, in order to avoid the risks associated with financing projects that have a negative impact
on the environment, we apply an environmental and social risk assessment as well as an exclusion policy.
In terms of client environmental and social impact, the most important risks for the bank include:
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breach of human rights as a result of forced labour, child labour, inadequate working conditions, use of violence;
the risks occur mainly in forestry and plantations and industrial processing,
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health risks for workers and local communities due to environmental contamination, contact with harmful
chemical materials, transmission of animal diseases to humans, non-compliance with labour laws; the risks are
mainly related to the chemical industry, energy, mining, metal production and animal husbandry,
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risk to the health and life of consumers through the consumption of products that are harmful to health; the risk
occurs mainly in the tobacco industry,
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a controversial trade policy of contracting extremely low prices for products manufactured in economically
underdeveloped countries; the risk is mainly related to industrial processing,
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inhumane treatment of animals during breeding, transport, slaughter or medical experiments; the risk is mainly
related to animal welfare activities,
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loss of biodiversity and uncontrolled spread of invasive species, including genetically modified species; erosion
and soil degradation; the risks are mainly related to forestry and plantations,
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pollution of soil and water by heavy metals, waste, sewage and an increase in water consumption in water-
scarce areas; the risks are mainly related to animal husbandry, forestry and plantations, industrial processing,
the chemical industry, energy, mining and metal production.
Adaptation to supervisory requirements
Following the requirements of the European Central Bank and the requirements contained in the supervisory
assessment of local financial supervision, on 30 June 2021 we implemented the recommendations of the EBA as
set out in the Guidelines on Loan Origination and monitoring.