BBVA has reported a significant increase in its sustainable finance activity, channelling approximately €63 billion ($72 billion) into sustainable business initiatives during the first half of 2025—a 48% rise compared to the same period in 2024. The bank also recorded a new quarterly high, with over €30 billion allocated in the second quarter alone.
Of the total investment, 76% was directed toward climate and natural capital-related projects, including initiatives focused on efficient water use, sustainable agriculture, and the circular economy. The remaining 24% supported projects with social impact, such as infrastructure for education and healthcare, financial inclusion, and support for entrepreneurs.
By segment, BBVA’s Commercial Banking division contributed €23.6 billion, up 53% year-on-year. Within this, financing for natural capital projects reached nearly €2.34 billion, with the agricultural sector in Mexico accounting for around half of that amount.
Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) channelled €31.9 billion, reflecting a 34% annual increase. This included funding for clean technology and renewable energy projects, as well as sustainability-linked solutions such as reverse factoring. Approximately €1.6 billion was allocated to renewable energy investments.
In the retail sector, BBVA directed nearly €7.5 billion toward sustainable business, marking a 119% increase from the previous year. Key areas included digital tools to help customers assess energy savings, and financing for hybrid and electric vehicles, which accounted for €742 million.
BBVA was a lead sponsor of the Energy Tech Summit 2025 held in Bilbao, which convened over 1,500 cleantech experts from more than 40 countries. During the event, the bank announced its participation in the first project finance deal for a renewable hydrogen plant in the Iberian Peninsula. Scheduled to begin operations in early 2026, the project aligns with BBVA’s support for emerging decarbonisation technologies.
In line with its broader sustainability strategy, BBVA has set a new goal to channel €700 billion into sustainable business between 2025 and 2029. This target more than doubles its previous objective of €300 billion for the 2018–2025 period, which the bank achieved ahead of schedule in December 2024.
BBVA’s sustainability strategy is structured around three pillars: climate action, natural capital, and social opportunity. In parallel, the bank is progressing on its Net Zero 2050 transition plan, having already set interim decarbonisation targets for ten key sectors. It is now working to expand these targets to additional areas, including agriculture.
