The promotion of sustainable development – in particular the preservation of environmental and social capital that exists today for future generations – underpins the EIB’s lending strategy and objectives. The EIB Statement on Environmental and Social Principles and Standards sets the policy context for the protection of the environment and human well-being.An EIB Environmental and Social Handbook provides an operational translation of those standards grouped across 10 thematic areas. In order to achieve sustainability objectives, the EIB relies to a large extent on activities undertaken by our clients – the borrowers and project promoters.