We, the Equator Principles Financial Institutions,...have adopted the Equator Principles in order to ensure that the Projects we finance and advise on are developed in a manner that is socially responsible and reflects sound environmental management practices. We recognise the importance of climate change, biodiversity, and human rights, and believe negative impacts on project-affected ecosystems,communities, and the climate should be avoided where possible. If these impacts are unavoidable they should be minimised,mitigated, and/or offset.