2013 Annual Report
150 2013 Annual Report Attachment
ECONOMIC
PERFORMANCE
Materiality
The Economic Performance item is material for the Bank because it is associated
to our business performance and also because it is deemed to be relevant for
our stakeholders. Under this item, we highlight two topics: the generation and
distribution of direct economic value and the implications of any climate changes
for the Bank's activities. The former is dealt with by the Finance Vice-President's
Office, and the latter is disseminated throughout a number of areas such as
Retail and Wholesale commercial units, the Sustainability Office and the Social/
Environmental Risk area.
Climate changes are relevant because extreme events may lead to business
interruptions and impacts on the Bank's operating costs. The risk in financial
loss is increased in that insurance models do not include coverage for climate
change events.
Any events in connection with climate change also lead to high vulnerability
in a sector that has a strong presence in the Bank's portfolio, such as agribusiness;
this can lead to an increase in operating costs, loss of productivity and crops in the
sector; it can also ban some cultures from regions, all this being directly associated
to the credit risk, increase in the cost of capital and loss of income.
Other risks are related to sectorial regulatory issues, involving clients and suppliers.
The application of local regulations on climate change, although not consolidated
yet, is advancing; in addition, specific plans for the manufacturing industry
are expected going forward, including emission goals for greenhouse gases.
International regulations are evolving and represent risks and opportunities for
businesses, especially for multinational companies.
The potential financial implications are related to the
increased credit risk for the clients that may be affected
by new regulations, including the increase in the
likelihood of credit default, as clients may face operating
difficulties or increase in production in connection with
the offset of emission goals or the purchase of carbon
credits to meet the requirements of new regulations
(such as the EU standards for airlines in or out of Europe.
As Santander Brazil is a strong player in free energy
auctions via the Asset &Capital Structuring (A&CS) area,
the advancement of low-emission energy in Brazil may
lead to a portfolio increase.
Policies and Commitments
The Bank has in place an Environmental Policy that deals
with our role in preventing climate change. The policy
includes a set of practices that reinforces this commitment,
summarized in its five pillars: Inventory; Actions for
Reduction; Carbon Offset; Carbon-Related Business; and
Advocacy and Transparency.
There are no special guidelines to drive investments or
financing with focus on the mitigation and adaptation in
business segments; however, the A&CS area has a specific
mandate to invest in wind power.
The climate change topic is dealt with in Equator Principles
III, of which the Bank is a signatory since 2009. The Bank
also has in place the Reduza e Compense (Reduce and
Offset) Program; in the program's platform anyone can
calculate their own greenhouse gas emissions and offset
any such impact via the purchase of carbon credits (for
more details please see page 112 of the Annual Report).
The Bank also participates in business discussion forums on
the topic with the objective of advancing climate-related
business practices and policies in Brazil. Among them are
the Fórum Clima (Instituto Ethos) and the Fórum Brasileiro
de Mudanças Climáticas. This commitment is available both
on the Intranet and on the website www.santander.com.br/
co2, http://www.forumempresarialpeloclima.org.br/
151View entire presentation