For the second year in a row, the Danske Bank Group achieved carbon neutrality for its total activities. In 2010, we reached this goal by reducing CO2 emissions from our own operations by 2% and investing in carbon credits. The rather small reduction was satisfactory considering the 15% reduction the Group achieved from 2008 to 2009. Carbon neutrality is part of the Group’s climate strategy.
The Danske Bank does not have high CO2 emissions in comparison with manufacturing companies, for example. But with more than 21,000 employees, our emissions and environmental impact are still significant. In 2010, total CO2 emissions from the Group's activities amounted to almost 55,000 tonnes.
Carbon neutrality is a big step in the right direction, but we will continue our work to reduce the Group’s CO2 emissions in the years ahead. In 2010, we have set a new target for electricity reductions from the 2009 level: 20% by 2014.