IBRC annual report for 2011 - Irish Bank Resolution Corporation ...

Corporate ResponsibilityIntroductionAt IBRC we recognise our corporate obligations andresponsibilities and are committed to fulfilling them.The management and staff of the Bank believe that acommitment to supporting the development of the widercommunity is an important part of our corporate responsibility.The Bank continually invests in the development and trainingof our staff, as well as maintaining quality relationships withour stakeholders. We also take a responsible approach toenvironmental issues and are proactive in seeking innovativeways in which to become more efficient.EnvironmentAs a corporate citizen, IBRC recognises its responsibility to theenvironment and aims to operate in a way which minimises itscarbon footprint. We take a responsible approach toenvironmental issues and are proactive in seeking innovativeways in which to become more efficient. The Bank has anEnergy Statement which recognises the importance ofpractising energy efficiency to minimise costs and impact onthe environment.Carbon footprintWe monitor our carbon footprint as an organisation and haveinitiated measurement of the Bank’s impact on theenvironment. We obtain carbon tracking reports from anumber of our suppliers. It is our preference to source and dealwith environmentally focused and aware suppliers and wehave incorporated this preference into our tenderingprocesses.We continue to track three elements of the Bank’s impact onthe environment, measuring electrical, gas and waterconsumption in the majority of our offices.Energy consumptionThe Bank’s main energy supplier is a company which iscommitted to sourcing most of its energy supplies fromrenewable sources. In Ireland, the Bank participated in theElectricity Winter Demand Reduction Scheme from December2011 to March 2012. Available information to date confirmsthat we achieved our committed reduction in electricalconsumption.It is Bank policy to recycle paper, cardboard, glass andcomputer consumables where possible. All electronic andelectrical equipment is disposed of in a safe andenvironmentally responsible way as stipulated in the EU WasteElectrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. In addition, theuse of video, web meetings and teleconferencing facilitiesacross all offices is reducing our business travel and thereforeminimising our carbon footprint.CommunityWe believe that a commitment to supporting the developmentof the wider community is an important part of ourresponsibility as a corporate citizen.The Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility agenda hashowever significantly reduced since nationalisation. We haveretained a limited number of community based pillar activitiesto ensure that the Bank does its part in encouraging socialinclusiveness and supporting the young and disadvantaged.Much of the work done in this context is rooted in thegenerosity and commitment of our staff who give their timeand effort to support a wide range of worthwhile causes.Warrenmount School, DublinIn Ireland, IBRC is committed to supporting our mentoringprogramme for secondary level students of WarrenmountSchool, located in the Liberties district of Dublin, during theacademic year 2011/2012. We started this programme in 2000and since then it has received widespread commitment fromstaff who, with the Bank’s support, offer their time to helpstudents realise their full potential. To date, over 130 membersof staff have been involved with the Warrenmount initiative.The mentoring scheme enables pupils to develop importantpersonal and professional skills which will benefit their futurelives and careers.Dublin City University & University of LimerickThe Bank comprises a well-educated staff, many of whom havebeen fortunate enough to avail of a third level education.Supporting those less fortunate to attain a third level educationis the rationale behind our Access Scholarship Programmes fordisadvantaged students in Dublin City University and Universityof Limerick. In close co-operation with the universities, theseprogrammes are structured to ensure the participatingstudents are supported throughout the duration of theirchosen degree course.Giving programmesThe Bank has a history of supporting a number of charities. Anumber of Irish based employees participate in a ‘Give As YouEarn’ scheme in support of Children Direct, a partnership offive Irish children’s charities: Temple Street Children’s Hospital,the ISPCC, Enable Ireland, Focus Ireland and ActionAid Ireland.Under this initiative, which has been in place since 2004,monthly donations made by staff are matched by the Bank.It is important to the Bank to continue to increase theenvironmental awareness of the Group’s staff. In 2011, wecontinued to increase our waste recycling rates throughimproved waste segregation methods and awareness amongststaff in our Dublin offices. These are now being formallymeasured and reported on by our service providers on amonthly basis. We will continue to focus our attention in 2012on further reducing resource consumption and maintainingresponsible methods of waste disposal.16