TlB Annual Report 2009 - Triodos Bank

WASTE
As a result of the ems evaluation Triodos Bank
will no longer report on the collection of waste
because the waste percentage is so small that
its impact is irrelevant with respect to CO2
emissions. This decision will help improve the
efficiency of the system itself, so the bank can
focus its efforts in critical areas; in particular,
the impact of its loans and investments. This
does not mean reducing and monitoring its
waste is not important. While it will stop
reporting in the same way, Triodos Bank will
continue to monitor the waste collection process
very carefully. Triodos Bank collects glass, paper,
food and garden waste separately. In 2009 the
Bank also started to collect plastics separately.
WATER
The ems evaluation has also prompted a decision
to stop collecting data on water consumption
in the same way as waste. In Triodos Bank
offices the only use of water is sanitary. Triodos
Bank will continue to monitor the process very
closely so it uses water as sparingly as possible.
The head office in The Netherlands uses
ground water to heat and cool the building, and
rain water is used to flush its toilets.
BUILDINGS INFRASTRUCTURE
Triodos Bank believes it is important that its
buildings provide a pleasant, stimulating space
for its co-workers to work, and that they have a
minimal environmental footprint. This applies
to all of the Bank’s branches. The materials and
products used in all its offices must pass strict
environmental tests. The total floor area
occupied by the Bank increased by 26% in
2009. This is mostly because of opening new
offices in Spain and Germany.
OUTSOURCING OR PROCUREMENT
External suppliers are assessed according to
social and environmental criteria, including
Triodos Bank’s own sustainability criteria and
best environmental practice. All the Bank’s
suppliers, from caterers to building maintenance
services, are asked to provide information on
their sustainability policy and practice. They
are asked to provide details of labour conditions
for their employees, the necessary permits, and
whether they use environmentally friendly
resources and production processes. If possible,
the Bank employs suppliers that are located
close its offices. If appropriate, the Bank asks
for a tailor-made approach to sustainability,
including using sustainable raw materials and
sourcing products, in turn, from local suppliers.
The energy-efficiency of office equipment and
environmental impact of other products is used
to inform decisions before buying them.
Through its procurement, Triodos Bank
encourages its suppliers to address social and
environmental issues in a more conscious and
sustainable way.
COMPLIANCE
In 2009, there were no environmental incidents
or violations of environmental legislation or
regulations to report.
ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
As part of the lending process, potential
borrowers are assessed according to their
environmental, social, and/or cultural impact,
to make sure they reflect the values at the heart
of Triodos Bank. In the case of investment
funds, the Bank conducts its own sustainability
analyses. These form one of the criteria for
inclusion in the investment portfolio. Criteria
for exclusion include threats to biodiversity,
violations of environmental legislation and
nuclear energy.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME FOR 2010
The most important goals for the environmental
management programme for 2010 are:
• Maintain the focus on reducing paper usage
• Maintaining efforts to further increase the
effectiveness of the Environmental Management
System. This includes a new and structured way
of communicating our environmental impact
internally as well as externally.
• Define a project to measure and monitor the
impact of our loans
• An innovative pilot project to reduce the energy
consumption of our ict operations and data
room.
TRIODOS BANK - ANNUAL REPORT 2009 77