RepoRt on - BNP Paribas

NRE indicator - 2009 year Scope for 2009
5. Use of renewable energy sources
Outside France, subsidiaries have pioneered local initiatives to purchase green electricity.
This is the case of Bank of the West in the United States, BNP Paribas Fortis in Belgium
and BGL BNP Paribas in Luxembourg.
In Italy, BNL opened a new bank branch which is energy self-sufficient using solar power.
The branch, which is located in the city of Alessandria, is fitted with photovoltaic panels that generate
clean energy. This ensures that the branch generates sufficient energy to cover its entire energy
consumption. The first energy self-sufficient bank branch using photovoltaic solar power
was inaugurated in Rome in 2008.
data gathered on electricity purchasing in Europe is used to analyse energy purchasing strategies
and evaluate opportunities for greater use of renewable energies. Owing to the wide variation
in power sources marketed as “green energy” as well as the price premium associated
with such sources, the Group has not set a global target for green power consumption at this time.
For the moment, the key priority is to reduce consumption of electricity which has an immediate
impact on the environment. Group
6. Land use
For real estate development projects, BNP Paribas Real Estate hires a specialised consulting firm
to conduct a diagnostic review of the extent of soil contamination. A soil identification programme is
developed, contamination studies are performed using tests and analyses, and a soil report is drawn up.
BNP Paribas Real Estate uses the findings of the contamination evaluation to perform
any remediation work necessary to ensure that soil meets applicable regulatory requirements.
In addition to these initiatives, the Group applies environmental housing certification provisions
to a large number of BNP Paribas Real Estate’s development projects. These entail containing pollution
nuisances with a view to meeting the objectives required in terms of health, ecological balance
and comfort of use. France
7. Emissions into air, water and soil
discharges into water and soil are not taken into account as they are non-material.
Robust indicators are used within the Group to calculate CO 2 emissions.
data is collected for a scope equivalent to 64% of the Group’s worldwide NPP headcount
and relates to electricity consumption and work-related travel by car, train and air. Based on this data,
emissions of CO 2 equivalent are estimated at 2.34 tonnes per NPP employee.
Actual consumption levels vary substantially from country to country, reflecting conditions in each
geographical area as well as variations in the energy use mix and in the nature of the Group’s
operations. As an example, the Group estimates emissions of CO 2 equivalent per NPP employee
as follows:
• United States: 5.40 tonnes of CO 2 equiv. per NPP;
• France: 1.47 tonnes of CO 2 equiv. per NPP;
• Italy: 4.16 tonnes of CO 2 equiv. per NPP;
• Luxembourg: 2.22 tonnes of CO 2 equiv. per NPP;
• United Kingdom: 7.02 tonnes of CO 2 equiv. per NPP;
• Switzerland: 1.47 tonnes of CO 2 equiv. per NPP.
Calculation methods take into account emissions generated by the production, transmission
and consumption of energy. For electricity, the primary energy source used by the producer is taken
into consideration. For air travel, criteria used include fuel consumption, average load factors,
the distinction between short and long-haul flights, and the class in the passenger cabin occupied
by travellers. For car travel, the methodology assesses emissions based on kilometres travelled,
rated horsepower of the vehicle and type of fuel.
Exceptionally, the 2009 assessment of CO 2 emissions worldwide was performed using the Bilan
CarboneTM (V6.0) method in collaboration with a consultancy licensed by the French Environment
and Energy Management Agency (AdEME) for the scope prior to the Fortis merger, and using
the Greenhouse Gas Protocol method for the scope of the former Fortis Bank.
141 <strong>RepoRt</strong> on CoRpoRate SoCial and enviRonmental ReSponSibility
Group - 64%
of worldwide NPP
headcount
In France, emissions from commuting are estimated using three concentric circles, one for employees
living in the city, a second for those living in the inner suburbs or just outside a regional city,
and a third for those living in the outer suburbs or a rural area. Emissions generated by these trips are
then estimated based on the form of transport used. The detailed study carried out in 2009 in the Paris
region in conjunction with the enterprise transport plan provided an opportunity to refine and improve
the estimate by examining the commuting patterns of a sample population of 22,000 people.
The estimate of CO 2 equivalent emissions generated in France including emissions from commuting
is estimated at 2.39 tonnes of CO 2 equivalent per NPP versus 2.59 tonnes of CO 2 equivalent in 2008. France
The statistical margin of error of these estimates which reflects the uncertainties linked to data
conversion and the reliability of data gathering in each country is 20%.