Operational management
We take on the environmental challenge with respect to our operational management.
Greening our operations
99% of our direct environmental footprint is caused by energy, business travel and paper usage. Our Environmental Statement (PDF), issued in 2005, aims to reduce that impact.
100% Carbon Neutral
We believe it is important to take a stance on climate change as it is one of the defining challenges of our time. It affects food security, public health, economic growth and poverty reduction targets in the poorest areas of the world. We believe it is our responsibility to contribute to a decarbonisation of the economy.
We do this first and foremost by reducing our own impact. ING has been carbon neutral since 2007.
This is how we accomplish that:
- 57% of our business units implemented additional energy efficiency measures in 2008 as part of our ongoing commitment to increase energy efficiency.
- 63% of the electricity purchased worldwide comes from wind, solar and water power.
- 100% of the electricity purchased in the Netherlands, the US and Belgium is green.
- 60% of our employees are actively encouraged to use public transport for commuting.
- Video conferencing is promoted to reduce business travel by air.
- Energy efficient cars are available to 50% of our employees entitled to a company car.
Although the bulk of electricity purchased globally is green, renewable energy is not always a feasible option. Examples are natural gas needed to heat our office buildings or aviation for business travel. Remaining emissions are therefore compensated for through our continued support of the Innoprise-FACE Foundation Rainforest Rehabilitation Project (INFAPRO) around the Danum Valley Conservation Area in Sabah, Malaysia. Carbon credits purchased from this project account for 75% of our offsets. The rest is compensated for by credits from a wind power plant and a small hydropower plant in China.
Paper consumption
Paper usage forms a significant part of our environmental footprint. In order to minimise our environmental impact, we developed paper consumption reduction measures, sustainable paper procurement guidelines and recycling initiatives. This year, we plan to bundle our best practices and the latest insights on paper and finalise the global ING Sustainable Paper Policy.
- 55% of ING’s business units purchase paper that carries an FSC, PEFC, or other sustainable sourcing certificate.
- 887 tonnes of paper were recycled in the US alone. In the US, all primary offices have recycling centres in place which fits perfectly with ING’s aims to maximise the recycling of paper products throughout the organisation. By recycling paper, we contribute to the conservation of forests. Recycling paper reduces the need for virgin wood supply, and therefore helps to prevent deforestation.
- 70,000 customers of ING Direct Australia signed up to receive the more environmentally friendly electronic version of their monthly bank statement instead of a traditional paper statement. In return, for every customer signing up, ING Direct Australia donates 2 Australian dollar towards the World Wildlife Foundation project to protect Australia’s only native dolphin; the Snubfin dolphin. Today, the majority of ING Direct’s customer base in Australia receives online statements.