The Bank undertook a comprehensive external review on our Responsible Business Programme, with a large focus on the Bank's environmental positioning. We have a dedicated programme of work ongoing in the environmental space with an aspiration to achieve more.
In 2019, permanent tsb established our first Green Team, a cross functional working group who together, work on green initiatives and awareness campaigns that support our green agenda.
With the support of the wider Responsible Business Steering Committee, the team are focused on environmental programming across the following areas:
With a focus on continuous improvement, the Green Team meet at regular intervals inviting new ideas and encouraging new ways of thinking.
Following the completion of a significant programme of work, the Bank was delighted to report our carbon emissions for the first time in 2018. Using employee FTE as an intensity measure, we estimate that we have achieved a 45% reduction in carbon emissions per employee since 2009, our baseline year for the pledge. This reduction reflects both efficiencies in energy use by the business and a significant increase in the use of renewable energy by electricity providers.
The Bank has a dedicated carbon reporting programme in place, enabling us to identify opportunities for reducing emission intensity across the organisation both, through investment in our buildings and encouraging a change in behaviour. Permanent tsb will continue to disclose our carbon emissions as part of our annual reporting process each year.
In 2018, the Bank joined more than 54 of Ireland's leading companies in signing the Business In The Community Ireland’s (BITCI) ‘Low Carbon Pledge’, committing to reduce our Scope 1&2 Carbon Emission Intensity by 50% by 2030. The target is ambitious, but one that we will strive both to meet and exceed in the years that lie ahead.
Permanent tsb is a proud member of this group of companies who have signed the Pledge, committing to taking action on climate change. You can read more about the Low Carbon Pledge here. You can read more about the Low Carbon Pledge here.
In Ireland, up to 200 million single use cups are thrown away, or improperly disposed of, annually. In November 2019, permanent tsb eradicated all single use cups from our business and replaced with a multiuse ‘Mug For Life’, supporting us in significantly reducing our environmental footprint.
Single use mugs are no longer available in any of our buildings.
Permanent tsb recognises that raising awareness of energy efficiency is fundamental in helping our colleagues to reduce their energy consumption while in work and in their own homes. In March 2019, permanent tsb participated in Earth Hour.
As March 24 fell on a Saturday, and outside of our regular operating hours, in the week leading up to Earth Hour the Bank ran an awareness campaign whereby we encouraged our employees to observe the hour in their own homes with their families and friends, and provided tips on how to reduce energy consumption.
We continued our awareness campaign in the week that followed, by conducting an education programme on energy saving while in the office. Both campaigns were well received and drove a shift in both mind-set and behaviour.
Permanent tsb continues to enhance its Procurement and Sourcing Frameworks to ensure that they support our sustainability goals and objectives. Our Procurement Policy sets out a framework for engaging with our suppliers including a commitment to procure goods, services and works from suppliers who can support the needs of our business in a sustainable manner.
By way of example, in 2019 the Bank updated the suite of uniforms across our retail network with sustainability criteria playing a central role in the tendering process. The polyester in our new uniforms is made from 95% recycled plastic bottles and all garments are crafted in factories using renewable energy.
Our new uniform supplier is committed to trading relationships that are ethical and support fair trade. They only operate with manufacturers and sub-contractors who comply with our ethical trading policy. As part of the update, more than 600 uniforms will be replaced across our business. The tendering process is an excellent example of our commitment to responsible procurement, supporting us in reducing our environmental footprint.
Permanent tsb is committed to environmental sustainability and minimising the impact of our business on the natural environment. We look forward to building on this momentum in future and have a dedicated programme of work in this space to support.
