February 27, 2009
UK Bank Earns Carbon Trust Standard Certification
First Direct, a division of HSBC Bank plc, says it is the first bank to receive the Carbon Trust Standard certification, after reducing its carbon emissions by more than 14%. This equals an annual reduction of 1,500 tons of CO2 emissions from 2007 levels, according to the UK-based company.
The Carbon Trust Standard is the world’s first carbon award that requires an organization to measure, manage and reduce its carbon footprint year-on-year.
To achieve the carbon award, first direct has introduced a range of low- and no-cost measures to significantly reduce carbon emissions since 2006. Getting employees on board with saving energy has been central to the company’s strategy, according to first direct.
A few of the bank’s carbon reduction initiatives include a green travel plan, which encourages employees to travel to work in a more environmentally friendly way, and a solar panel installation, which also translates into an energy cost savings. First direct also worked with local schools to encourage employees to recycle.
U.S. banks have taken measures to reduce their energy use as well. Alpine Bank of Colorado recently announced the introduction of a new automated disk drive platform which reduces the power and cooling used by current disk drive systems, according to this story.
Advertisers
Enhance Sustainability. Improve Profitability.
Learn how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>
EFFECTIVELY MANAGE WATER COMPLIANCE
Understand how increased enforcement may affect your company. Find out more >>
EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st
CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>
Join the Discussion
Recent Daily News [ see all ]
- 11/06/2009
- 11/05/2009
- 11/04/2009
- Emissions Intensity Falling Globally
- JohnsonDiversey Ups GHG Reduction Target to 25%
- Sainsbury’s Offers Free London Electric Car Charging
- Carbon Trading Could Trigger a ‘Sub-prime Style’ Economic Crash
- Peabody, Exxon Accused of Undermining Climate Talks
- BMW, Toyota, Ford Tout Eco-cars
- In ‘Apathy Gap,’ Energy Efficiency at Home Ranks Low
- China Pushes for CO2 Storage, Not Emissions Reductions
- Clean Tech VC Funding On Rebound, Up 50% Since 2nd Quarter
- IECC Building Code Recommendations Add Up to 30% in Energy Efficiency Gains
- Disney Buys $7M in Reforestation Offsets, a Corporate Record
- McKesson to Save $300K Via Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
- Sprint to Save $2.1M With Eco-Friendly Packaging
- U.S. Export-Import Bank Adopts Carbon Policy to Support Renewable Energy
- Greening the Automotive Supply Chain
- Yokohama Rubber Cuts GHG Emissions 13.4% in 2008
- Electronics Industry Lawsuit Called ‘Attack on States’ Rights’
- Wal-Mart Adding LEDs to 650 Stores
- One Committee Down for Senate Climate Bill, Five More to Go
- EU Poised to Give Heavy Industry Free Carbon Permits
- ResponsibleTravel.com Scuttles Carbon Offsetting Option
- U.S. Cap-and-Trade Creates Winners and Losers among Largest Emitters
- DOE Awards $155M to Make Industrial Sector More Energy Efficient
- System Upgrades Power Up Energy Savings for Hotels
- Xerox Cuts GHG Emissions by 20% from 2002
- Waste Management Landfill Gas Project Complete
- Intel, Pepsi, Kohl’s Stay Atop Green Power Partnership list
- Wal-Mart Thinks Big With Smaller Stores
- Despite Critics, Gore ‘Proud’ to Invest in Green Firms
- Metal Recyclers Spar Over Ship Recycling Site
Industry Voices [ see all ]
A Roadmap for a Renewable Energy Partnership
Brad Cashaw
Vice President
Quaker Foods and Snacks Supply Chain and Sustainability
Forest Carbon Core to Climate Change Deal
Chris Elliott
Forest Carbon Initiative Lead
World Wildlife Fund
VCS and CarbonFix Tops in Review of Forestry Carbon Standards
Paulo Lopes
Carbon Management Consultant
Carbon Clear
Reader Comments
Sounds like HSBC is really doing great stuff there!
Another fantastic example is a Vaccine Investment Fund it just launched yesterday.
This is a great example of Corporations creating Synergies with community initiatives for mutual benefit, large global financial institutions like HSBC have a natural competitive edge in raising capital and initiatives like immunizing children have an ability to rally individuals to action (in this case invest).
Blogged here: http://is.gd/lszs
Aaron Fu | March 3rd, 2009