The importance of Sustainable Development for BNP Paribas

BNP Paribas has signed the Global Compact , which is integrated in the Group's policy and principles. The Global Compact was initiated by the United Nations and appeals to the social liability of companies.

It is based on ten fundamental principles , which express a commitment to :

•  Human rights and labour standards,
•  Environmental protection through technical and organizational solutions enabling to reduce energy and resource (paper, water, materials, etc.) consumption as well as waste management best practices,
•  Work against all forms of corruption.

The BNP Paribas Group places emphasis on choosing, on a day-to-day basis, solutions that contribute to sustainable development. Accountability for applying environmental guidelines is integrated into the responsibilities of operating units and corporate functions, and into the Group's control system.

Sustainable Development and Purchases

The Group seeks to develop commercial relationships with suppliers and co-contractors who share its commitment to sustainable development . Compliance is enforced through appropriate clauses in tender and contract documents and is taken into account in the selection of referenced suppliers.

Since 2002, all the contracts proposed at the BNP Paribas signature by the suppliers must contain social and environmental clauses. From a social point of view, BNP Paribas consider as a required field the respect for the fundamental agreements of the International Labour Organisation (child labor, the freedom of associations, working schedules (total hours worked), discrimination), ( www.ilo.org )

In addition, BNP Paribas requests that suppliers produce a social and environmental reporting when relevant. The collected indicators are consolidated in the global reporting system of the Sustainable Development function of BNP Paribas connected with the presidency of the Group. (Examples: indicators relative to the consumption of resources, recycling, the elimination of waste and pollution.)

BNP Paribas requests that referenced suppliers produce their "Sustainable development notes” provided by the evaluation agencies, if applicable (ex: www.vigeo.fr , www.innovestgroup.com ).