In our climate strategy, we have designated the areas that will be the focus of our efforts to reduce CO2 emissions in the next five years.
Energy-saving operations
In 2008, in order to optimise the Group’s energy consumption, we hired an energy consultant to co-ordinate our work on energy savings. The consultant has begun to identify the most effective emissions-reducing projects for the Group’s activities in Denmark. Since this process is both extensive and complex, the survey is continuing in 2009. In the beginning of 2009, the process was also begun in Norway, Finland, Ireland and Northern Ireland.
On the basis of the provisional identification of projects, the Group has set a goal of maintaining its current level of energy consumption until 2013. We expect energy consumption to rise 8% during this period, so maintaining the 2008 level will require an 8% reduction of consumption. The Group also intends reduce consumption an additional 2%, making the overall target for 2103 a 10% reduction.
These are some of the measures the Group will pursue in the next five years:
- Renovating and replacing the ventilation system
- Making branch offices energy-efficient
- Installing and optimising timers
- Making lighting more efficient
The effort to reduce the Group’s energy consumption is not confined to CO2 emissions. It also involves reducing SO2 and NOx emissions, which have an acidifying effect on the soil and lakes, among other things.
Read more about SO2 and NOx emissions in the climate glossary.
Lower emissions from travel
The Group has set a goal of reducing CO2 emissions from travel by 15% in the next two years. The primary means of reaching this target will be virtual meetings, and stricter requirements for company cars and travel behaviour generally will also help to reduce the Group’s emissions.
Requirements for IT equipment
In spring 2009, we launched a project to identify opportunities to optimise our purchasing and use of IT equipment. We expect to be able to set a target for the reduction of CO2 emissions from IT equipment in the autumn of 2009.
Participation of employees
The Danske Bank Group continues to focus on maintaining the good energy habits that the staff adopted during the major energy campaign in the spring of 2008.
Last updated on August 11, 2009.