Eurobank S.A.

The Bank aims at energy and natural resources saving, offering employees the optimum working environment, as well as deploying relevant culture in the Organization, through the implementation of an Energy Management System.

Bank staff 

The systematic monitoring and implementation of the Bank’s energy performance improvement interventions,  started in 2014, expecting  that in a 10 years period, a complete rational use of energy will be achieved in all Bank’s premises. In parallel, additional technical interventions will continue with positive environmental impacts.

The Energy Management System, implemented by Eurobank, follows the principles of ISO 50001 and includes, among others, the improvement of the Bank’s branches and buildings infrastructure, the continuous energy performance improvement through their operation, leading to economic benefits, while promoting the principles of sustainable development.

The Energy Management System structure, is based on the following activities:

• Energy data recording and energy consumption control
• Energy data processing/evaluation and energy profile creation
• Implementation of energy saving scenarios, cost /benefit models
• Implementation of technical interventions and management solutions
• Continuous monitoring of energy profile so that the results are ensured.

The Energy Management System was certified in July 2015 by TUV Hellas, making Eurobank, the first Bank in Greece implementing a certified Energy Management System.

In this context, all branches/ buildings are examined, and get ranked, based on the technical intervention measures, to be made on their equipment. For each of these facilities, a separate energy profile is created.

The major interventions implemented concern:

Installation of energy meters, sensors and connection with BEMS (Building Energy Management System).
Use of lamps with energy saving technology  (LED – light – emitting diode) with simultaneous upgrade of light fixtures,
Installation of energy saving air-conditioning systems  and increased opportunities to improve conditions of respective spaces, such as in the ventilation of spaces apart from the needs for cooling-heating,
Electrical installations performance improvement, such as control of indoor electrical installations (ELOT HD 384), control and adjustment of timers which control the operation of illuminated signs, etc.

Along with energy saving measures, other technical measures are taken causing positive environmental impacts, such as reduction of water consumption, use of fresh air and natural lighting, rainwater management, coverage of surrounding space with green, creation of green roof in buildings, etc.

The office buildings, where the Bank is based, are also evaluated according to the requirements of LEED certification method (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which validates the robust energy and environmental design/operation of the building. 

The initiative relates to the following Sustainable Development Goals: 7, 8, 11, 12, 13

Eurobank applies the “Pay As You Save” methodology, for energy saving investments with strategic cost/benefit analysis. Implementation is achieved through the «Shared Benefit Energy Performance Contract» mechanism with an Energy Services Company (ESCO).

Regarding the LEED certifications of the buildings, Eurobank collaborates with specialized consultants respectively

The Bank identifies the crucial role the employees plays in the energy management, apart from the technical interventions, as through their daily activity, they significantly contribute to the rational use of energy and the achievement of energy goals.

In this context, raising awareness actions for the employees are planned and implemented through educational programs and participative activities, such as:

• Communication of the Energy Saving Decalogue
• Training through interactive programme for energy issues (e-learning).
• Energy Performance Status communication of the branches/buildings aiming to performance improvement.
• Targeted energy saving actions. During the last years an action has been implemented, with the key message «Good Energy-Don’t waste it, use it for a good purpose». The aim was the rise of employees’ awareness, that led not only to energy but also social benefits, as part of the money saved during the campaign was donated for the heating of Lyreio Children’s Institution.

The actions are carried out in all Bank’s buildings and branches. The  significantly high number of locations where the actions have been implemented is worth to be mentioned due to the Bank’s presence all over Greece, as it increases the challenge of data management and interventions’ implementation.

Total electric energy consumption (kWh) for all the locations of Bank’s presence relative to base year 2014, has decreased by 25.5 %, while electric energy consumption per employee (kWh/employee) has decreased by 21.1 % respectively. At the same time, total indirect greenhouse gas emissions (tCO2e) have decreased by 63.1 %, bringing respectively environmental and economic benefits.

Moreover, with respect to LEED certifications, in 2015 an office building in Tavros district, was certified with LEED platinum, being the first office building in Greece to receive such a distinction. In 2017, the LEED Gold-certification for the building of Moschato followed (includes 280 m2 green roof and also rainwater collection system installation for irrigation purposes), while in 2019-2020 the building complex of Nea Ionia is expected to be certified with LEED Gold. 

Apart from energy saving, other significant benefits for the Bank, are: improved energy performance in the end use, operational cost reduction, energy and environmental footprint improvement, improvement of the Company’s reputation, and finally employees energy and environmental awareness improvement.

This way, economy of scale and reduced operational costs are ensured, while the life cycle of the building and its systems is significantly prolonged. Additionally, workplaces are upgraded, thus contributing to productivity increase and employee satisfaction index.