Mönchengladbach (ots) Together with the Auxentia Foundation, Banco Santander has launched the “Santner x Environmental Challenge” in eleven countries. The initiative is aimed at entrepreneurs who contribute to a more sustainable economy with their innovative ideas and who contribute to the Paris Climate Protection Agreement.

The shift to the green economy will be one of the biggest challenges for global societies in the aftermath of the Kovid-19 epidemic. The focus has been on strengthening a more flexible, more inclusive and low-carbon economy as a central driver for economic recovery. Ana Botin, executive chairman of Banco Santander, explains: “The COVID-19 caused a global health crisis and a slowdown in the world economy, but it did not slow down climate change. By the end of the 21st century, the temperature of our planet will rise by three degrees and thus exceed the limit of 1.5 degrees set in the Paris Agreement. If we don’t stop it, the consequences for our planet will be dramatic. “She clearly emphasizes:” This challenge is a real opportunity for the Green Revolution, which requires large-scale investment in new technologies. To do this, we need innovations and visionary entrepreneurship. “

The Santander x Environmental Challenge is open to companies that have already been established and that generate annual sales of between EUR 200,000 and EUR 5 million with either product or service alone. The challenge is aimed at companies located in Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, Poland, Great Britain, Uruguay or the United States. The positive effects of the innovations presented should be justified transparently in application with key figures and data. In addition, applications must relate to one of the following two competition categories in relation to climate change:

A group of international experts will evaluate the participants and their innovative ideas and select twenty finalists. He is invited to present his projects on 26 April 2021 to an international jury of leading experts on sustainability, entrepreneurship and global investment. Three of the two winners, six winners, will each receive 20,000 euros to further develop their projects. They also receive tailor-made advice from experts at the Auxentia Foundation network and high visibility on Santander’s channels and social media.

The Santander X Environmental Challenge is the second global challenge launched by Santander X, the global entrepreneurship network of Banco Santander. This is another example of the bank’s commitment to responsible entrepreneurship as one of the key drivers of economic recovery and employment. In 2020 alone, the bank supported 32,700 entrepreneurs in realizing the sustainability initiative.

Auxentia CEO Steve Claverley said, “Auxentia Foundation is excited to partner with Santander X on the environmental challenge. Our mission is to empower the most talented people to make a big impact through sustainable social, economic and environmental development . “He explains,” We are excited to partner with Santner X, the world’s greatest entrepreneurial talent, to support the most urgent. Challenge on our planet

Entrepreneurs willing to participate in the competition can register by April 8, 2021 at www.santanderx.com. More information on the competition is available at www.santander.com/santander-x-environmental-challenge-en.

About Banco Santander and his commitment to sustainability

The Banco Santander continues to progress in its commitment to inclusive and sustainable development and the fight against climate change. The company has already achieved carbon neutrality in its own business and this week announced its target of zero net carbon emissions in the group by 2050; Thus it has set its first decarbonation goal to facilitate the transition to a low carbon economy. In 2030, its power generation portfolio will be brought in line with the Paris Agreement, it will stop funding power generation customers, whose incomes depend on more than 10% of hard coal, and it ends its participation in global hard coal mining will do it. In the meantime, she will continue to take steps to reduce her own footprint and guide her customers to transition to a green economy.

Oxentia Foundation and its commitment to innovation and global entrepreneurship

The Oxentia Foundation was established to support Oxentia’s goal of tackling global inequalities through innovation and entrepreneurship activities. Globally, Oxyntia designs, develops and runs awards, competitions and programs in support of early-stage innovators and entrepreneurs to promote the commercialization of science and technology-based innovation projects that impact the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Oxford University spun off Oxford University Innovation, a technology transfer company of Oxford University, with the aim of providing specialized innovation management services to clients in the public and private sectors around the world. Oxford’s vision builds a strong Oxford heritage based on more than 30 years of experience supporting academic innovation and entrepreneurship at Oxford and in over 70 countries around the world.

Measured by the number of customers, Santander Consumer Bank AG ranks among the top 5 private banks in Germany. It provides comprehensive financial services to private and corporate clients through various channels. Whether online, through video consulting or in-person at the branch – Santander has a range of services and products that cover a wide spectrum from current accounts and credit cards to lending and securities businesses. In Germany, the bank is the largest manufacturer-independent financier of mobility and is also a leader in consumer goods. The wholly owned subsidiary of Spanish Banco Santner is based in Moenchengladbach. You can find more information at www.santander.de.