A more sustainable and efficient climate footprint
Source: Report 2009, chapter Responsible operations, page 93
The starting point of Rabobank Group’s climate and energy policy is that its operations should be climate-neutral. This implies that the negative impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the climate and environment has to be offset. The emphasis in this area is on reducing the climate footprint per FTE through the application of renewable energy and the more efficient use of water and energy, in particular gas and electricity. The climate and energy policy is in line with the goals formulated by the Dutch government to cut energy consumption by 2% a year, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% and generate 20% renewable energy by 2020. In 2009, Rabobank and the Dutch government signed up to the long-term agreement on energy efficiency (Dutch acronym: MJA3).
Almost all group entities and 71 local Rabobanks demonstrated their support for the agreement by signing a letter of intent on the reduction of carbon emissions in 2009. Best practices have been shared with a view to achieving these reductions. Our internal energy programme supports local Rabobanks and other group entities in their efforts to be more energy-efficient.
Rabobank Group started to make its operations climate-neutral in 2007. In 2009, it offset its entire climate footprint for 2008 by purchasing carbon credits. The climate footprint for 2009 will be offset in 2010.
Rabobank Group's climate footprint for 2009 was 170,500 (182,800) tonnes of CO₂. The climate footprint per FTE fell to 2.8 (3.1) tonnes of CO₂, chiefly as a result of the partial switch to green gas, a reduction in flight mileage and a better understanding of the figures of actual energy consumption. This means that, for the time being, Rabobank Group is on course to achieve its objectives in the area of CO₂ reduction. For further information on our climate footprint and associated consumption and emissions, please visit www.rabobank.com/csr-figures.
The switch to primarily renewable energy sources has to be made soon if greenhouse gases are to be cut majorly and fossil fuel consumption reduced. Rabobank Group has therefore decided to purchase biogas. The breakdown of organic matter in landfill sites produces raw biogas, which is upgraded to a quality similar to fossil natural gas and injected into the gas grid. Throughout the chain, carbon emissions caused by green gas are almost 75% lower than those caused by natural gas. In 2009, 48% of the gas consumed by Rabobank Group was biogas.