The Danske Bank Group has a direct impact on the environment through its daily activities and an indirect effect through lending and investment decisions.
The Group’s environmental impacts have been assessed and prioritized according to an assessment of the environmental significance and stakeholder interest.
Direct environmental impacts
The following direct environmental impacts have been identified and prioritised in the Group’s environmental work:
Resource use
- Energy for electricity and heating
- Fuel for transport and travelling
- Paper
- Water
Emissions to air
Emissions of CO2, NOx and SO2 from energy use and transport
Leakage of ozone depleting substances from cooling systems
Waste
All these parameters are monitored for the Group and the specific data can be found in the CR Fact Book 2009.
Indirect environmental impacts
The Danske Bank Group's credit and investment decisions may indirectly affect the environment because the activities that we help finance may affect it. We also affect the environment with our range of products and services with an environmental profile.
In our credit decisions, we apply environmental criteria to identify and manage environmental risks. We also consider whether borrowers operate in areas in which environmental issues may affect their performance. But we have not formulated stricter requirements than those laid down by legislation in the Nordic region, our principal market.
Responsible investment
In September 2008 the Group launched an SRI policy to ensure that the funds we invest on behalf of our customers are not placed in companies that violate internationally recognised standards for human rights, arms, working conditions, the environment and anti-corruption. The policy also applies to the Danske Bank Group’s own strategic portfolio of securities.
Last updated on February 4, 2010