Eurobank S.A. implements an ISO 14001 certified and EMAS compliant Environmental Management System (EMS) and is the first bank in Greece that implements an ISO 50001:2011 certified Energy Management System. In this context, the Bank aims via energy saving (electricity, oil and natural gas) to Greenhouse Gas emissions reduction as, due to the nature of Bank’s activities, its emissions derive primarily from electricity consumption. For Carbon Footprint calculation, the Bank has been using the internationally accepted Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG protocol).
In addition, from 2018 the Bank applies the Market Base Method for electricity, using the annual CO2 emission rates from the electricity providers. In this context, energy consumption is recorded and shared and starting from the supplies, the Bank carries out an evaluation of both the energy supply specifications of the providers and the electrical and electronic equipment that is supplied. Following the Green Procurement Policy, emphasis is given, among other things, on the potential eco-labeling of the equipment (eg energy class A +++, Energy Star).
On a periodic basis energy usage data (electricity, natural gas, oil) are collected through both HEDNO S.A. (Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator S.A.) and energy providers, as well as automatic control systems such as specialized meters, etc. placed by the Bank. A special Electronic Application, the Bank has developed, has a significant contribution to energy use data collection and analysis per building/branch as it allows calculation of energy use in many different places (branches /buildings), while enabling ranking of different sites per electricity usage (top spenders /top savers).
The data above are criteria (among others) for the prioritization of the sites where energy audit is conducted according to ASHRAE Guideline 14-2002 and EVO Standard. Subsequently, a saving actions feasibility study is performed including techno-economic planning and energy saving technical intervention scenarios proposals, by calculating the energy savings and the expected return on investment. Following relevant assessments/approvals, the technical interventions are implemented.
The technical interventions are related to the electromechanical facilities performance improvement, the upgrade of mechanical /building infrastructure, while it shall be noted that, similar interventions are implemented in all new branches /areas and wherever extensive renovations are applied.
Some typical technical interventions that are implemented are presented below:
- Installation of Building Management Systems (BMS) in the Bank’s administration buildings
- Installation of motion detectors for the operation of the lighting systems and placement of LED systems in underground parking areas
- Installation of VRF and autonomous air conditioning systems as well as ‘A’ class air cooled systems
- Installation of supply and/or exhaust air ventilation systems with air recovery functions
- Installation of lighting systems with energy saving (T5 fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts) technologies
As part of the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of oil for heating purposes, we developed infrastructures to phase in the use of natural gas, resulting in a 3.52% reduction of the oil and gas emissions intensity ratio (tCO2e/kWh) since base year 2014.
In 2019, the Bank established and published the energy intensity ratio, which expresses the energy consumed by the Bank for all its operational revenues and is used to monitor its energy performance in relation to the scale of its operations.
The energy intensity ratio combined with the absolute energy consumption, helps the Bank adjust its energy performance through its activities.
The Bank has begun work to certify the Nea Ionia building complex for LEED GOLD . This building complex will be the Bank’s third office building with the relevant certification, thus demonstrating Eurobank’s excellent working environment. Note that the building at the junction of 25th Martiou St. & Teo St. (in Tavros) has obtained LEED Platinum certification and the building at the junction of Kyprou St. and Archimidous St. (in Moschato) has obtained LEED Gold certification.
At the same time, the Bank recognizing the critical role of its human resources in achieving the most efficient energy management and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, plans and implements employee awareness actions through training programs and participatory activities.
In addition Eurobank contributes indirectly to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through its products and investments, such as:
- Energy-saving actions and in particular to the improvement of the energy performance of private homes in the country by actively participating in both the “Energy Saving at Home I” and “Energy Saving at Home II” Programmes.
- Support for investments in Renewable Energy Sources (RES). The Bank has created special lending products for financing RES investments of enterprises such as photovoltaic power stations and wind farms with low installed capacity.
- The financing of other environmentally-friendly investments, financing investments in gas-fired power generation plants built to replace outdated polluting ones.
- Supporting large RES investments through more complex banking products with a strong focus on structured finance projects.
- Participating in equity in environmentally sensitive companies
The Bank's goal is to expand its loan portfolio in the field of RES and environmentally friendly investments as well as to continue supporting Greek and foreign investors active in this field.
The Bank, by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its operations, contributes to reducing climate change and contributes to the achievement of the Global Sustainable Climate Development Goal (SDG13).
