Carbon Footprint– Energy management

CO2 emissions

In 2008 BNP Paribas Fortis continued to implement its Carbon Neutrality Programme, launched in January 2007. A promising CO2 reduction was achieved in both energy usage and mobility in 2008. CO2 emissions fell sharply from 2.39 tonnes/FTE in 2007 to 1.92 tonnes/FTE in 2008 (excluding rail travel). More figures on BNP Paribas’ CO2 emissions.

Reducing energy consumption

Much investment was made and many organisational measures taken in order to meet the target of a 10% per FTE reduction in energy consumption by 2010.

Investment
BNP Paribas Fortis invested on an ad hoc basis in energy-saving measures for the daily operation of its buildings, such as relighting, lighting controls and dimmers, replacement of old boilers and burners by highly efficient equipment, installation of heating pumps, heat recovery units, new regulation systems, improved insulation of roofs and walls, and replacement of old windows by energy efficient windows. Control systems are still being upgraded at the branches in order to optimise the use of technical installations.

Pilot projects

The renovation, rebuilding and refurbishing of the Chancellery complex (80,000 m2) in Brussels began in 2008. The renovated building complex will optimise the use of sunlight, recycle rainwater, use a ground heat exchanger, and include a combined heat and power plant, condensing boilers, free cooling for the dealing room, heat recovery units, and a lighting control system. The materials used in the complex will be as sustainable as possible. The buildings will be highly insulated and achieve an energy performance of E70, calculated according to the Greencalc method.
This project won the 2007 Bentley Empowered Award of Excellence for Sustainable Design (awarded in Los Angeles by an independent jury of leading industrial experts).

Development framework
A sustainable building policy for corporate buildings was formulated in 2008 and is being pursued through
the adoption of specific standards and guidelines. A similar policy is being formulated for the branches.
However, the Belgian branches already apply efficient and sustainable standards to renovations and works.
Energy efficiency measures
Energy audits and internal quick scans were conducted focusing on major quick wins. A complex was energy mapped in order to strengthen energy control processes. Furthermore, BNP Paribas Fortis technical building staff are collaborating with operations and maintenance companies on drawing up and implementing site energy efficiency plans, at least for corporate buildings in Belgium.

Green electricity

BNP Paribas Fortis switched to green electricity in Belgium in January 2007, and in Luxembourg in January 2008. As a result, more than 69% of our electricity consumption worldwide is now purchased from renewable sources. The purchase of green electricity by BNP Paribas Fortis in Belgium and Luxembourg and by Fortis Insurance Belgium reduced CO2 emissions by 54,200 tonnes or 1.32 tonnes/FTE in 2008.