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energy
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- Carbon dioxide emissions to air (Operations)
- Sulphur dioxide emissions to air (Operations)
- Nitrogen oxide emissions to air (Operations)
- Particulate emissions to air (Operations)
- Volatile organic emissions to air (Operations)
- Continue to maintain the bank's 80% reduction in CO2 emissions per customer account. TARGET ACHIEVED
- Per customer account, and in line with the UK Government's 'Making a Corporate Commitment 2' indicative targets, reduce emissions of SO2 by 83%, NOx by 56% and VOCs by 53%, by 2010 based on a 1997 baseline. ACCEPTABLE PROGRESS
- Explore the supply of renewable gas to the bank's main offices. ACCEPTABLE PROGRESS
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performance
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Main offices |
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Network |
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Fossil fuel consumption |
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Renewable energy consumption |
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- Follow this link for details of all conversion factors used in this report.
- Emissions from main offices reduced by 178 tonnes as a result of carbon
sequestration undertaken by the bank's community woodlands.
- Emissions from main offices reduced by 250 tonnes as a result of carbon
sequestration undertaken by the bank's community woodlands.
- Emissions from main offices reduced by 253 tonnes as a result of carbon
sequestration undertaken by the bank's community woodlands.
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commentary
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Background Energy consumption is a major contributor to
pollution and a whole range of environmental problems.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary agent of global climate
change. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is the principal contributor to
acid rain. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) contribute to acid rain, global
warming and respiratory ailments. Volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) have been linked to health problems, such as cancer.
External recognition In January 2002, the bank was named
as one of six Premier Award winners for its integrated approach
to Climate Change at the 27th Business Commitment to the
Environment Awards. In July 2002, the bank was 'Highly
Commended' in Business in the Community's 'Business in the
Environment' award category for its integrated approach to
Climate Change and Biodiversity.
Carbon dioxide emissions As a result of the increased use
of renewable energies, the bank's net emissions of CO2 have
fallen by 86% compared with a 1997 baseline. CO2 emissions
per customer account are now down by a significant 90%.
Compared with 2001, the bank's net CO2 emissions have
fallen by 41%, whilst net CO2 emissions per customer account
have fallen by 42%. The 42.7 hectares of new planting
undertaken in the bank's community woodlands since 1997
(follow this link for details of the bank's carbon offset programme) are considered to offset 253 tonnes of CO2 per
annumi. In addition, the bank offset 4,670 tonnes of CO2 on
behalf of its mortgage customers via Climate Care in 2002
(follow this link for details of the bank's carbon offset programme)ii. The bank's integrated approach to climate change
is compliant with the aims and objectives of the Carbon
Disclosure Project iii. The Carbon Disclosure Project, developed
by a number of institutional investors (including CIS),
encourages companies to identify and quantify the business
implications of their exposure to climate-related risks and to
report on any actions they are taking to mitigate the risk.
Other emissions to air In 2002, the bank actively managed a
shift in the balance of its renewable energy portfolio so as to
diminish the use of landfill gas and include a greater proportion
of wind and hydro, which are cleaner technologies. As a result,
emissions of SO2, NOx, particulates and VOCs have reduced
by 8.8%, 18.2%, 0.9% and 15.7% respectively, compared
with 2001. Compared with 1997, emissions of SO2, NOx and
particulates have reduced by 93.6%, 16% and 24.7%
respectively. Emissions of VOCs have increased from 0.76 tonnes
to 21.55 tonnes as a result of the increased utilisation of landfill
gas. To date, the bank has achieved the UK Government's
'Making a Corporate Commitment 2' target in relation to
SO2 alone.
Energy usage During 2002, energy consumption across the
bank decreased by 9.5%. There was a 6.4% decrease in
electricity usage and a 16% decrease in gas usage. The
decrease in electricity usage was partially due to a 1.5 million
kWh reduction at the bank's London office, where Unysis, one
of the bank's tenants, vacated the premises. New, more
energy efficient boilers, were also introduced at the bank's
Head Office in Manchester during 2002. However, it is
probable that the primary factor behind the decrease in energy
consumption is related to changes in ambient air temperatures.
2001 suffered a much colder winter and hotter summer than
2002 - as shown by 'degree day' analysis. Therefore, last year
there was a decreased requirement for electrical air-cooling
and gas heating, as was broadly the case in the years
1997-2000.
Electricity In total, 98% of all of the bank's electricity is now
derived from renewable sources. During 2002, all of the bank's
main offices - London, Manchester, Stockport, Salford and
Skelmersdale - sourced electricity from renewable energy
producers via ecotricity, Unit-e and Scottish & Southern Energy
plc. Generation technologies used at the bank's main offices
during 2002 include landfill gas (46%), hydro (40%), wind
(12%) and biomass (2%). During 2002, all but two of the bank's
network premises (95 branches) sourced electricity from
ecotricity. Generation technologies used in the bank's network
include landfill gas (48%), hydro (29%) and wind (23%). The only
remaining locations where the bank has fossil fuel generated
electricity are the bank's kiosks (19 in total), Regent House in
Stockport and Glasgow and Guernsey Branches. These
account for the remaining 2% of the bank's electricity portfolio.
It has not yet proved possible to source an appropriate form of
renewable gas supply. Renewable gas is currently only
available in bottled form. The bank will continue to research
alternatives during 2003. CIS is now also a major consumer of
renewable electricities, placing CFS amongst Europe's ten
largest purchasers.
Energy awareness In November, the bank hosted two
Energy Awareness events for staff based at Manchester and
Stockport. 530 staff visited the Energy Efficiency Advice
Centre's stand and completed a questionnaire. Staff were
offered a free home energy report, a free low energy light bulb
and information about grants and discounts.
 By comparison, according to their Sustainability Report
2001, CO2 emissions per employee at Credit Suisse Group
amount to 0.92 tonnes (cf. the bank's net emissions of CO2 per
employee are 0.41 tonnes).
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- Conversion factors supplied by Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
- www.co-operativebank.co.uk/ethics/ecology_financial_personal_mortgage_eco.html
- www.cdproject.net
To follow any of the links mentioned within the Partnership Report 2002, please visit the links page.
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ethical and ecological value analysis
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- Compared to the cheapest alternative offer, the annualised
additional cost of 'green' electricity is £54,000
- Annual cost of energy monitoring activities, including third
party contracts £5,000
- Since 1997, consumption of energy has reduced by
1,245,940 kWh. This has contributed to an annualised
saving of £41,000
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new target
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- Continue to maintain the bank's 90% reduction in CO2 emissions per customer account.
- Per customer account, and in line with the UK Government's 'Making a Corporate Commitment 2' indicative targets, reduce emissions of SO2 by 83%, NOx by 56% and VOCs by 53%, by 2010 based on a 1997 baseline.
- Switch Glasgow and Guernsey branches from fossil fuel to renewable electricity sources.
Eric Boshell, Procurement Consultant
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