Environmental Responsibility: Reducing Our Operational Footprint
Climate Change is undeniably one of the greatest challenges of our times. In 2019, the UK government committed to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. BNP Paribas UK is going further than ever before to play its part, whilst supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
By engaging with our employees and working in partnership with our suppliers, we are committed to reducing the impact of our UK operations on the environment. We’ve been measuring our carbon footprint since 2012, and since then we have reduced our greenhouse gas emissions per employee by 57% and continue to off-set those emissions that cannot yet be directly avoided or reduced.
Our current target is to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions across our UK operations by 60% by 2030 against a 2018 baseline. We’re investing in even more energy efficiency technologies across our sites; we’re transitioning to a greener fleet; and are committed to procuring 100% of our electricity from renewable sources.
In addition to reducing our carbon emissions, we continue to focus on setting new ambitious goals around resource management, including the removal of single-use plastics from our UK operations by the end of 2020 in line with our Ocean Protection Statement, and actively engaging with our suppliers on sustainability
Progress against our key targets
Reducing our carbon emissions
In the UK, our primary objective is to support the BNP Paribas Group in reducing scope 1, 2 and 3 (business travel) greenhouse gas emissions to 1.85teqCO2 by 2025. In 2022, BNP Paribas UK achieved a 57% reduction in greenhouse gases per employee compared to a 2012 baseline.
In addition to this, we plan to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions across our UK operations by 60% by 2030 (compared to a 2018 baseline). To do this, we will invest in further energy efficiency technologies across our sites and transition to a greener fleet.
Our Carbon Management Strategy for our UK operations provides a roadmap, targeting energy efficiency, travel reduction and our supply chain. We track progress annually and our UK Environmental Performance Data is independently verified by Deloitte. Please click here for access to the latest assurance statement.
Since 2017 the BNP Paribas Group has continued to off-set carbon emissions* that cannot yet be directly avoided or reduced through pioneering conservation projects.
Renewable Energy Procurement
In 2022, 99.8% of our UK electricity needs were met from renewable energy sources, backed by verified Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origins (REGO’s) and we continue to strive to reach our 100% target.
Driving Energy Efficiency
In 2022, the UK achieved a 14% decrease in energy intensity (kWh/m2) compared to 2012. Energy efficiency continues to be our core focus, as we continue to invest in energy-efficient technologies and practices across the UK operations, and engage with both internal and external stakeholders.
Minimising our business travel footprint
Business travel reduced significantly during the pandemic and minimising business travel moving forwards continues to be a focus for the BNP Paribas Group and forms part of the UK Carbon Management Strategy.
Using resources responsibly
The BNP Paribas Group is committed to the circular economy and previously set a target to reduce paper consumption by 43%* by 2020. The target was achieved in 2019. In the UK, we continue to reduce paper use in-line with new Group Targets by investing in digital solutions, while adhering to a Group wide sustainable paper sourcing policy.
As outlined in the Ocean Protection Statement we are committed to tackling plastic pollution by phasing out of single-use petrochemical based plastics across operations by 2020. Our approach to resource management in the UK supports the circular economy and principles of the waste hierarchy, and we continue to focus on the removal of all single-use items, not just plastics.
*per employee, compared to a 2012 baseline.
Engaging our Employees
We run environmental campaigns throughout the year to educate all our employees across the UK on their own environmental impact, and the difference they can make, at work and home through their own behaviours and advocacy.
From our annual World Environment Day campaign to engaging our employees on the challenges of waste, recycling and plastic use, we know that our impact will be greater if we take our employees on our journey towards a healthier planet and future for all.
Working with our Supply Chain
Our Sustainable Sourcing Charter outlines the economic, environmental and social commitments that our suppliers are required to adopt.
In the UK, we pro-actively collaborate with our suppliers to ensure that our own operations are more sustainable, and to share best practice.
Certifications
To act as a framework we have implemented environmental management systems certified to ISO14001:2015, with >70% of UK operations currently certified.