2012 Registration document and annual financial report - BNP Paribas

A RESPONSIBLE BANK: INFORMATION ON BNP PARIBAS’ ECONOMIC,SOCIAL, CIVIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITYEnvironmental responsibility: combating climate change7Business travel, the other recorded source of GHG emissions, totalled871 million km in 2012 by Group employees (of which 62.6% by air,11.9% by train, 25.5% by car), i.e. 4,618 km per FTE (vs 4,979 km perFTE in 2011). A range of efforts is being deployed to reduce this travel,notably substitution tools such as webconferencing, videoconferencingand telepresence systems.Adaptation to climate change is a subject addressed by the Group,notably in its Business Continuity Plan, which covers the managementof extreme climate-related events and their consequences for the Group’ssensitive infrastructure, especially its data centres. It is also addressedin scientific research, for which the Group provides EUR 3 million infinancing through its “Climate Initiative” philanthropy programme andwhich, among other subjects, is focused on climate predictabilityoverthe next ten to thirty years: these correspond to the life span of manytypes of infrastructure, such as power plants, civil engineering and waterpurification systems, whose successful adaptation to potential climatechange must therefore be thought through. The scientific researchalso relates to the anticipation of certain impacts from increased GHGemissions, such as ocean acidification and its consequences for fishresources. The “Climate philantropy” section of this chapter gives moredetails on these projects.CONSUMING LESS PAPER AND USINGRESPONSIBLY SOURCED PAPERIn accordance with its Paper Policy, which was adopted in 2011 (seehttp://www.bnpparibas.com/en/responsible-bank/csr/environmentalissues/direct-impacts),the Group cut its paper consumption to 33,756tonnes in 2012 (compared with 37,739 tonnes in 2011), i.e. 179kg/FTEcompared with 190kg/FTE in 2011. Reduced usage is often achieved, asis the case at BNP Paribas in the United States, TEB in Turkey, Arval andCardif in Paris, by replacing individual equipment with shared equipment,whereby users must go to the printer to confirm print instructions sentfrom their workstation; this avoids documents being sent to print butnever collected.The rate of responsibly sourced paper (i.e. more than 50% recycled, orlabelled PEFC or FSC) increased from 39.1% to 43.5% between 2011 and2012. More widely, eco-designed office supplies are preferred in calls fortender, and represented 14.9% of total office supply purchases in 2012(compared with 10.2% in 2011).REDUCING WASTE, AND RECYCLING ITWHERE POSSIBLE, PARTICULARLY PAPERAND OBSOLETE IT EQUIPMENTIn 2012, the Group generated 37,841 tonnes of waste, i.e. 201kg per FTE.Of this, 38% was subsequently recycled.Most of this waste is paper; the Group has undertaken to collect 35% ofpaper for recycling in 2013, and 55% in 2015.In addition, the Group developed a policy for dealing with its obsoletecomputer equipment (PC, servers, screens, etc.) in 2011. Breaking downinto three options (donation, resale or dismantling), this policy aims toextend the equipment’s useful life wherever possible, while ensuringtraceability. Dismantling is only considered as a last resort, whilestriving to ensure that dismantlers maximise the recycling rate, in strictadherence to the environmental standards in force.COMBATING LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY ANDCONTROLLING WATER CONSUMPTIONBNP Paribas helps combat the loss of biodiversity in two ways:■ First, it is working to boost the ordinary biodiversity of the 23-hectareDomaine des Voisins park in Louveciennes, France, which it owns andwhich in 2012 was the subject of a biodiversity action plan: gradualelimination of chemicals/fertilizer products, “moving garden” approach,wildflower meadows, responsible mowing, control of invasive species,maintenance of nesting boxes, etc.■ Second, the Group is focusing on paper purchases; by preferring to useresponsibly sourced paper (made from pulp that comes from recycledpaper or from sustainably managed forests – PEFC or FSC ecolabels),BNP Paribas helps to protect forest ecosystems, the biodiversity theynurture and the services they provide.Controlling impacts on ecosystems also involves focusing on waterconsumption, which was 26.6 m 3 per FTE in 2012, compared with 34.2 m 3in 2011. Reducing this consumption, particularly in countries where waterresources are limited, is achieved by setting up meters to detect leaks,equipment to optimise flows in sanitary facilities and good managementpractice in corporate catering.72012 Registration document and annual financial report - BNP PARIBAS 419