Contribution to the Equator principles development

In 2016, experience has highlighted the challenges of a differentiated approach between Designated and non-Designated countries in the Equator Principles.

As a result, in May 2017, Societe Generale teamed up with 9 other EPFIs to raise to the EP Association our concerns on the subject and to ask the Association to rapidly adapt the current risk assessment framework, in line with international best practices. This is crucial with respect to critical issues such as the rights of indigenous peoples and biodiversity conservation.

This led first to the formation of the Designated Countries Working Group that re-examined the distinction between Designated (i.e. High-Income OECD) and non-Designated countries in the EPs, including with the specific objective to study opportunity of proposing changes to the framework for assessing risks associated with respecting rights of indigenous populations. Societe Generale has been deeply involved within this working group.

Following these discussions; during its 2017 General Meeting, the EP Association decided to start a process of updating the Equator Principles on key thematic areas including: Social Impact and Human Rights, Climate Change, Designated Countries and Applicable Standards, and Scope of applicability of the EPs.

Specific working groups on key topics and thematic areas have been formed as part of the update process planned activities. Societe Generale have been actively participating within the Designated Countries Working Group as well as within the Climate Change Working Group. While the EP Association Annual Meeting held in October 2018 made tangible progress on the internal development of the EP4 draft, the fourth revision of the Principles is expected to be effective in 2019.