Bank's Policy
Animal Farming & Food Production
20%
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
not covered
Comments on score: The policy prohibits the onboarding of non-personal customers within the Group who cannot comply with the Five Freedoms.
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
Prohibited: Companies who cannot meet the standards set out by the Five Animal Freedoms.
Comments on score: The policy prohibits the onboarding of non-personal customers within the Group who cannot comply with the Five Freedoms.
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
not covered
Comments on score: not covered
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
Prohibited: Companies who cannot meet the standards set out by the Five Animal Freedoms. This includes Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
Comments on score: The policy references the five freedoms but does not set clear critia and expectations for the housing conditions of animals
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
not covered
Comments on score: not covered
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
not covered
Comments on score: not covered
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
not covered
Comments on score: not covered
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
Prohibited Activity
- Damaging fishing methods - use of explosives (dynamite) and/or poison (cyanide)
Comments on score: There are some restrictions on methods that are allowed to kill fish, but nothing on farmed animals.
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
Prohibited Activities
Soft commodities producers operating in tropical regions* who have not obtained sustainable certification of their direct soft commodities activities and supply chain by 31st December 2024. This means obtaining the following certifications and memberships:
4. Beef/Leather - Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) Leather Working Group (LWG)
Normal Activities
- Companies are expected to have environmental and health and safety/social policies or plans in place to manage ESE risks. Where relevant, companies should demonstrate how they manage (…) sustainable procurement practices, (…) animal husbandry (…).
Comments on score: The policy requires certification for beef production, in certain regions, and in general requires companies to report, but only "when relevant", on animal husbandry practices.
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
not covered
Comments on score: not covered
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
not covered
Comments on score: not covered
Animal Testing
50%
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
Animal Testing ESE Risk Policy Position:
Prohibited
- Testing on Great Apes (Chimpanzees, Bonobos, Gorillas and Orangutans)
- Testing on Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable Species (International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species)
- Testing of cosmetic and tobacco products on animals except where required by regulatory authorities for human safety purposes and the company can demonstrate it is actively supporting the use of alternatives to animal testing
- Use of unwanted pets or strays for animal research
- Using animals for testing of products without a licence where a licence is required
- No evidence that 3R Principles (described below) are being applied within a company or evidence of significant or repeat non-compliance with the 3Rs
- Animal testing contracting companies with gaps in the 3R requirements and /or material adverse press
(…)
Restricted
- Use of wild caught monkeys (e.g. marmosets, macaques)
- Lack of an internal ethical committee to review research/testing methodology and animal welfare, but there is sufficient evidence that 3R Principles are being applied
- Issues identified that give cause for concern e.g. major targeted non-governmental organisation campaign against a company
- Companies involved in the international transport of research animals with inadequate documented policies and procedures to demonstrate appropriate welfare standards
- Animal testing contracting companies with clear policies and procedures, demonstrating a commitment and compliance to the 3R Principles (Note Prohibition above)
Comments on score: The policy prohibits some, but not all, types of non-medical testing, but makes exceptions for when tests are required by regulatory authorities
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
Animal Testing ESE Risk Policy Position:
Prohibited
- Testing on Great Apes (Chimpanzees, Bonobos, Gorillas and Orangutans)
- Testing on Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable Species (International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species)
- Use of unwanted pets or strays for animal research
- Using animals for testing of products without a licence where a licence is required
- No evidence that 3R Principles (described below) are being applied within a company or evidence of significant or repeat non-compliance with the 3Rs
- Animal testing contracting companies with gaps in the 3R requirements and /or material adverse press
(…)
Restricted
- Use of wild caught monkeys (e.g. marmosets, macaques)
- Lack of an internal ethical committee to review research/testing methodology and animal welfare, but there is sufficient evidence that 3R Principles are being applied
- Issues identified that give cause for concern e.g. major targeted non-governmental organisation campaign against a company
- Companies involved in the international transport of research animals with inadequate documented policies and procedures to demonstrate appropriate welfare standards
- Animal testing contracting companies with clear policies and procedures, demonstrating a commitment and compliance to the 3R Principles (Note Prohibition above)
(…)
Normal
Companies/organisations involved in animal research should be able to evidence clear policies and procedures for the care, welfare, treatment, sourcing, breeding and transport of animals which include commitment and compliance to the 3R Principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. (See Requirements to Meet the 3Rs below)
(…)
Evidence of the 3Rs
Policies & procedures
- Open and transparent policies about the Company’s use of animal research
- Demonstrable evidence the Company follows the 3R Principles (Replace, Reduce, Refine)
- Evidence that the Company considers how to minimise pain and distress caused to animals
Supply chain/contractors
- Awareness of animal testing within the Company’s supply chain including reviews and audits of contractors and 3rd party suppliers
Care and treatment of animals
- Staff conducting animal research are appropriately trained
- Good treatment of the animals, with appropriate access to food, water and housing, and access to veterinary care
- Breeding is conducted as close to research centres as possible to minimise transport time
Ethics
- The company/organisation has an internal ethical committee to review animal welfare (in the UK it is compulsory for all companies to have an Ethical Review Body)
External accreditation
- Where possible, independently accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC-I)
Comments on score: The bank sets requirements for medical testing, including the 3Rs.
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
Where applicable, companies producing genetically modified seeds for wholesale are expected to have transparent policies and procedures in place on biosafety reflecting at a minimum the laws and regulations of the countries in which they operate. Adoption of international conventions such as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety for GMOs or similar is considered best practice.
Comments on score: The use of GMO merely has to be in line with legal requirements.
Pets, Entertainment and Fashion
38%
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
Prohibited Activity
- Direct involvement in fur farming (e.g. foxes, seals, mink, cats and dogs) or Angora (wool and fur) production.
- Fur traders and fur retailers where fur is their primary product line.
Comments on score: The policy prohibts fur farming and trading.
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
Prohibited activity
- Illegal wildlife trade (e.g. ivory or rhino horn).
- Import of hunting for trophies to the UK
- Harvesting or trade of species listed under CITES
Comments on score: The policy does not exclude the trade in non-protected wild animals.
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
not covered
Comments on score: not covered
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
not covered
Comments on score: The policy does not exclude the use of animals in circuses etc.
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
Prohibited: Companies or individuals who use animals for entertainment purposes which could cause suffering or death for the amusements and pleasure of onlookers. E.g. fighting (this excludes the use of animals in entertainment for educational or informative purposes, or where the appropriate licence has been obtained).
Comments on score: The policy does not exclude the use of animals in circuses etc.
Governance
25%
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
Normal Activities
- (…) Where relevant, companies should demonstrate how they manage (…) sustainable procurement practices, (…).
Comments on score: Companies must assess their supply chain on the occurance of animal testing, but there are no requirements on animal welfare for farmed animals or animals kept as pets.
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
Meeting the requirements of the 3Rs:
- Supply Chain/Contractors
• Awareness of animal testing within the company’s supply chain including reviews and audits of contractors and 3rd party suppliers
Comments on score: Companies must assess their supply chain on the occurance of animal testing, but there are no requirements on animal welfare for farmed animals or animals kept as pets.
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
not covered
Comments on score: The procurement policy does not cover animal welfare
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
not covered
Comments on score: not covered
Assessed policy
Extract of the policy that covers, or comes closest to covering this criterium
In October 2021, NatWest Group (…) announced that it would provide £100 billion (…) for Climate and Sustainable Funding and Financing by the end of 2025 (from 1 July 2021).
Criteria:
Sustainable Agriculture
• Regenerative farming practices for example, paddock grazing systems (…) ; Rotational farming that pays to leave fields fallow/ grow cover crops. (…) Adoption of regenerative farming practices with investment in different equipment (moving away from plough based) e.g., minimum tillage cultivations and sowing, direct drilling
• Sustainable fishing practices for example change fishing to aquaculture, fishing suggests trawlers at sea, fish farms that use new technologies
• Sustainable landscape management and agro-forestry (…)
Comments on score: The bank does have transition finance products that focus on food systems. However, it does no clearly mention animal-friendly food production systems.