RepoRt on - BNP Paribas

NRE indicator - 2009 year Scope for 2009
11. Measures taken to ensure compliance with legal requirements
BNP Paribas continuously strives to meet the highest standards of ethical behaviour, compliance,
risk management and internal control. Within a changing banking environment characterised
by increasing regulatory requirements, the global Group Compliance (CG) Function, whose director
is a member of the Executive Committee, has a broad remit to coordinate internal control systems
across the Group. Group Compliance circulates Group-level directives regarding continuous internal
control and monitors the functioning of the internal control framework in the Group’s entities.
Guidelines have been drawn up to ensure that buildings are managed in accordance with technical
regulations applicable in France.
Outside France, property management guidelines are drafted based on the most stringent
regulations of countries in which BNP Paribas operates. These guidelines apply at all overseas sites.
Before a company acquisition is made, a property audit of all new head office buildings is conducted.
Group Legal Affairs monitors changes in environmental laws and regulations. Clauses covering
the corporate and environmental responsibility of suppliers are systematically included in service
agreements.
In 2008 the Group’s CSR audit methodology was overhauled: the reference documents
and methodology guides were updated to take more systematic account of the problems
and issues that Group entities encounter in France and other operating territories. All new inspectors
receive training in this new methodology.
In 2009, a redeployment plan was implemented for the Group’s CSR organisation, which reports
to the Managing director. The plan was approved by the Executive Committee. Group
12. Steps taken towards environmental evaluation and certification
By the end of 2009, BNP Paribas had obtained six ISO 14001 certifications. Three new certifications
were obtained during the year and a fourth was renewed. Two certifications were achieved in France:
the first by the BNP Paribas retail banking network for the Welcome&Services programme
and the second by BNP Paribas Factor. Two certifications were obtained in the United Kingdom
by BNP Paribas Real Estate and Arval. One certification was obtained in Italy by Arval and a fourth
in Turkey by TEB. With a large number of certification projects underway, ISO 14001 is now a key element
in the Group’s environmental policy. This environmental policy and ISO 14001 certification
of the Accueil & Services programme applies to 1,325 branches in France by end-2009.
This policy reduces the environmental footprint of the Bank’s operations by reducing paper
consumption, promoting waste management and energy efficiency, and raising customer
and staff awareness about environmental issues. BNP Paribas is the first retail banking network
in France to receive certification for a very substantial number of its operating locations.
BNP Paribas is included as a component in leading SRI benchmark indices: dJSI WORLd, dJSI STOxx,
Aspi Eurozone, Ethibel, FTSE4Good Global 100 Index and FTSE4Good Europe 50 Index.
Although the Group’s inclusion in these indices represents neither an evaluation nor a certification,
it nevertheless provides a positive indication of BNP Paribas’ compliance with the requirements
for corporate social and environmental responsibility. Group
BNP Paribas Real Estate Property Management, a subsidiary of BNP Paribas Real Estate, has devised
an international code of practice, Ecoproperty Management © , with the objective of helping to combat
global warming by reducing CO emissions from buildings over the course of their service lives.
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Solutions are offered for existing buildings where there may be difficulties in reducing consumption due
to design constraints. The Grands Moulins de Pantin renovation project has obtained HQE certification
for the planning phase: it is one of the very first renovations to be so certified. The renovation
of the 30,000 sq.m. Haussmann-style building on rue Bergère in Paris has also been awarded
certification for its planning and design phases. Work on both buildings was completed in 2009
and staff teams have taken occupancy of the properties. France
143 <strong>RepoRt</strong> on CoRpoRate SoCial and enviRonmental ReSponSibility