Climate Action 2016-2017

COUNTRY PERSPECTIVES
CAIXA ECONÔMICA
FEDERAL, BRAZIL
Brazilian Bank, Caixa,
discuss their contribution
to the country’s social and
environmental welfare in
partnership with the Brazilian
government.
Through its 155 years of existence, Caixa has
grown into more than a bank – it is a complete
financial institution present in the lives of
hundreds of millions of Brazilians.
When it was created in the 19th century Caixa
had a clear purpose: to encourage the habit of
saving among Brazilians and thus contribute
to the formation of citizenship and national
development. More than a century and a half
later, this purpose is strengthened through our
operations as a public company throughout
the country, acting not only as a provider of
banking services, but also as the Brazilian
government’s main partner in implementing
programmes in sectors such as housing,
sanitation, infrastructure, social benefits and
income transfer.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE COUNTRY’S WELFARE
The company concentrates on constantly
increasing its consolidated structure and
enhancing its contribution to Brazil, maintaining
its position among the largest banks in assets
in Latin America. In 2015, Caixa injected more
than US$230 billion into the Brazilian economy,
through activities such as the distribution of
welfare benefits, investments in infrastructure,
credit facilities, and the social benefits from
Caixa lotteries, among others. The financial
results in 2015 showed a net income of US$2.3
billion, a 0.9 per cent growth in 12 months,
and an increase of 13 per cent in own assets,
reaching US$372 billion.
These results reflect recent years’ investment
in modernisation of assets and technology
parks; building an extensive service network
that includes branches, lottery shops,
correspondents and boat and truck branches,
available for secluded locations; qualification
of service channels, focusing on digitisation,
segmentation and multi-channel offerings;
social and environmental responsibility in credit
grants, mitigating risks specific to the sector; and
also responsible banking inclusion, prioritising
issues such as financial education and offering
competitive rates for home financing and access
to goods and services.
As a partner of the Federal government
and an institution with long-term vision, Caixa
reaffirms its vocation to believe in the country’s
resilience capacity, especially in the face of
adverse scenarios. The loan portfolio grew 11.9
per cent in 2015, even during a more restrictive
environment in the financial sector.
Income transfer programmes totalled US$8.6
billion, highlighting Bolsa Família, which plays
a decisive role in fighting extreme poverty and
encouraging social inclusion and child and youth
education for low-income families.
Minha Casa Minha Vida (‘My House, My Life’),
the largest housing programme in the country,
had contracted funds of up to US$12 billion, with
347,000 housing units. Since the programme’s
inception in 2009, more than 3.5 million families
have achieved the dream of owning a home.
As for labour welfare, Caixa paid US$65 billion
in unemployment insurance and the Fundo de
Garantia do Tempo de Serviço (FGTS), a worker
protection fund. Caixa has also fostered business
with positive social and environmental impact,
SOLAR ENERGY FOR CAIXA’S BRANCHES
Caixa Econômica Federal has an investment
programme of US$31 million for solar energy
generation in 195 branches, spread over three
different regions of Brazil. The forecast is to
generate around 19 Gigawatt hours (GWh)
a year, which accounts for 3 per cent of the
bank’s total energy consumption.
The project started in June 2016 with the aim
of making 44 buildings 100 per cent sustainable
in electricity generation. Photovoltaic panel
systems will be installed in 42 branches
located in São Paulo, as well as in one of the
Headquarters and the Cultural Complex, both
in Brasília. The idea is to generate 100 per cent
of the energy used in these buildings, which
will account for a US$1.3 million cut in the
company’s annual electricity bill.
The Cultural Complex in Brasília, for
instance, will be the biggest solar energy
power plant in the country’s capital. Having 360
panels, the energy generated on the building
would be enough to supply 50 houses and will
supply energy to over 200 shows held in the
complex theatre every year. The savings should
add up to US$28,000 a year.
A pilot project was carried out in December
2014 in a branch in Vazante, in the state of
Minas Gerais. The branch was chosen for the
location’s high solar exposure measurements,
as well as for its proximity to the project
managers overseeing its implementation.
The Vazante branch is the first self-sufficient
bank branch in Brazil, with 276 photovoltaic
panels installed on its rooftop. Every year, 115
MWh are produced in the building, enough
capacity to provide for 95 houses. The project
accounts for a yearly economy of US$16,000.
contributed to the generation of knowledge and
developed territories affected by our operations,
through the Social and Environmental Fund (FSA
Caixa, see box), cultural and sports sponsorships
and national and international partnerships.
Caixa is fully aware of the responsibility
it holds as the Brazilian government’s main
strategic partner, so it is always seeking to
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