ESG policies and downloads repository

Please find full E&S Risk Acceptance Criteria documents for each sector below. For E&S risks that are identified and managed for customers and transactions in sectors which are not covered by specific E&S sector policies, see our E&S Risk Concerns document (PDF, 138 KB). For more information on our E&S policies, see the E&S and Reputational Risk Management page.

E&S Sector Risk Acceptance Criteria

We recognise that the activities of our customers may have environmental and social (E&S) impacts – including polluting activities and the potential for human rights violations. E&S risk management forms part of NatWest Group’s overall Reputational Risk Policy and requires enhanced due diligence to be performed for customers in scope of our E&S Risk Acceptance Criteria.

To manage E&S risks, we have developed Risk Acceptance Criteria (RAC) for sectors which present heightened E&S risk and define the level of E&S risk the bank is prepared to accept.

The E&S Risk Framework supports our ongoing work for our risk appetites and practices to be informed and guided by the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. We expect all customers to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and licencing conditions relevant to their operations. 

Scope

The E&S Risk Framework applies to all legal entities within the Group for the onboarding of non-personal customers for the purpose of providing financing (including Project Finance) and applies to the management of E&S risk throughout these customers’ lifecycles.