Thursday, 28 August 2025
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has agreed to provide an €80 million risk-sharing guarantee to BNP Paribas Bank Polska (BNPPBP) to support the expansion of green residential financing across Poland. The facility is expected to unlock €100 million in new lending, primarily targeting energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy investments, and sustainable transport solutions for private individuals.
The initiative marks the EBRD’s first InvestEU-backed financial sector operation in Poland. The programme will support residential borrowers seeking to replace outdated heating systems or carry out comprehensive thermal renovations of single-family homes. These homes represent a significant portion—nearly 40 percent—of Poland’s residential housing stock and are often among the least energy efficient.
By helping reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the residential sector, the project aims to support Poland’s transition toward a low-carbon economy. Residential heating, largely dependent on coal-fired systems, remains a major contributor to air pollution and accounts for approximately 40 percent of the country’s total energy use.
This operation aligns with the EBRD’s Green Economy Transition (GET) strategy and benefits from partial first-loss risk coverage provided under the EU’s InvestEU programme. It is also supported by technical assistance designed to help scale the impact of the project.
Andreea Moraru, EBRD Regional Director for Poland and the Baltic States, noted that the partnership continues a successful collaboration with BNP Paribas Bank Polska. She highlighted the importance of modernising the residential and transport sectors to advance Poland’s broader green transition and improve living conditions for its citizens.
Jarek Rot, Chief Sustainability Officer at BNPPBP, emphasised that residential green financing is a key component of the bank’s strategy to support Poland’s energy transformation. He said that the new financing made possible through EBRD cooperation will allow the bank to deepen its engagement in projects promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption.
Adam Hirny, Director of Sustainable Business Development at BNPPBP, added that while the investment in new heating systems can be costly for households, the long-term benefits—including lower energy bills, improved living conditions, and higher property values—justify the commitment. He underlined the importance of using EU instruments such as InvestEU to make this transition more accessible.
BNP Paribas Bank Polska, the sixth-largest bank in the country, offers a wide range of sustainable finance products and aims to position itself as a market leader in this space. It is majority-owned by the BNP Paribas Group, with the EBRD holding a minority stake.
The EBRD has invested nearly €16 billion in Poland through 560 projects, including a record €1.43 billion in 2024. The current agreement contributes to the EU’s broader policy goals, including the European Green Deal and the digital transition, by mobilising private and public capital through strategic partnerships.
