Environmental impacts of our operations
Garanti BBVA, manages several initiatives to systematically and effectively mitigate the environmental impacts arising from its operations.
We continue to uphold a sustainable perspective in combating the climate crisis in all our branches and buildings. At this stage, we are striving to manage the environmental impacts of our activities and ensure energy efficiency.
ISO 14001 Environmental Management System
Published by the International Organization for Standardization, the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Standard refers to the establishment of a system that identifies environmental impacts in each stage of a company’s activities and minimizes environmental damage by bringing these impacts under control through necessary measures.
Our environmental management system (EMS), certified with ISO 14001 in 2012, covers all branches and buildings where our banking operations are located as of the end of 2015.
In an effort to control and systematically manage the environmental impact of its operations, the Bank has been working in this direction on the basis of the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification obtained in 2012. Encompassing all branches and buildings since 2015, the system is also backed by a comprehensive Environmental Policy and a compulsory “ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Training” assigned to all employees for raising increased awareness of all stakeholders.
Zero Waste Management System
Garanti BBVA sorts the waste at the source and implements effective waste management at its branches and buildings. In 2023, the Bank earned the Basic Level Zero Waste Certification, which is issued by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, for 14 service buildings in addition to its Zincirlikuyu Head Office and Pendik Campus buildings. Furthermore, all employees are given “Zero Waste Training for a More Livable World” for increased employee awareness purposes.
ISO 50001 Energy Management System
In 2023, the Bank obtained the worldwide-recognized ISO 50001 Energy Management System certification for Zincirlikuyu Head Office, Pendik Campus and Güneşli Service Building with the purpose of managing and improving the Bank’s energy performance and using resources effectively. The Energy Policy established accordingly has been disclosed to all employees and the public. For raising increased employee awareness, “ISO 50001 Energy Management System Training” is given via the Kampüs platform, which is compulsory for all employees in certified buildings and optional for those in other locations. The system set up is intended to mitigate the environmental impact and reduce carbon footprint, decrease costs associated with energy, and ensure effective resource utilization.
ISO 14046 Water Footprint Standard
In keeping with the water consumption reduction target under the Bank’s Eco-Efficiency Plan, 2022 water consumption at the Bank branches and buildings were calculated for the first time ever, and certified according to internationally-recognized ISO 14046 Water Footprint Standard in 2023.
Rooftop Solar Energy Systems
Supporting the country’s combat against the climate crisis with its renewable energy initiatives, the Bank took steps in 2023 into many projects to meet electricity consumption directly with its own solar power plants.
Solar Power Plants (SPP) planned to have a total installed capacity of approximately 300 kW and an annual power generation capacity of 350 MWh were installed in Pendik Campus and Güneşli Service Buildings. The PPS energy generation is targeted to reduce annual carbon emissions by 160 tonnes in total.
81 rooftop solar panels were installed on ATMs from early 2023. These panels will supply nearly 50% of the monthly energy consumed by an ATM (150 KWh on average) from solar energy.
The SPPs on the roofs of Akdeniz Branch, Sivas Customer Contact Center and Bodrum Branch, which started electricity generation in earlier years, had an installed capacity of 90 kW. Including the recently installed PPSs, Garanti BBVA’s total installed capacity approached 400 kW. This helps increase the ratio of renewable energy within total energy consumed by the Bank for its activities, while contributing to reduction of the Bank’s carbon footprint.
LEED Green Buildings
Garanti BBVA Zincirlikuyu Head Office building is the one and only bank building in Türkiye that holds a Platinum certificate in LEED, one of the green building rating systems, whereas Garanti BBVA Kızılay Branch is the only bank building holding Platinum certificate in the New Buildings category.
In addition, Pendik Technology Campus, Sivas Customer Contact Center and Karşıyaka İzmir Building all have LEED Gold certifications.
Carbon-Neutral Bank
In 2020, Garanti BBVA has become a Carbon-Neutral Bank in scope 1 and 2 emissions. Having reduced its operational emissions by 75% at end- 2020, the Bank purchased carbon credits for its remaining emissions and became carbon-neutral 15 years earlier than its reduction target. Since 2021, the Bank has been continuing to offset its operational emissions by purchasing carbon credits and supporting the projects in voluntary carbon markets recognized by international institutions.
Renewable Energy
During 2023, 829 Garanti BBVA branches and 49 buildings received IREC certification, which proves that their 93,4 GWh electricity need was entirely supplied from renewables. Thus, almost 43.000 tCO2 equivalent emissions were avoided O2 which corresponds to the carbon sink capacity of roughly 2,7 million trees.
Remote Eye System
In 2021, Garanti BBVA started using the Remote Eye System for limiting electricity consumption through infrastructure monitoring and control. The number of locations reached 293 including new installations and installations in relocated/ renovated branches. The system secured 15% saving in electricity consumption in 157 of the Bank's locations compared to the same months of 2019.
Other Works
The Bank has been putting all its energy into utilizing renewable energy resources and reducing the energy consumption in business processes as well as environmental impact in the long term.
Energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures are preferred in all branches and ATMs.
Energy efficiency at branches is increased by using new generation climatization equipment that provides savings, by switching to climatization systems in energy A+ class, which are less harmful to the ozone layer.
Timers are installed in branches regulated internal lighting and switched off advertising lighting from 01:00 a.m. at approximately 600 branches.
Heat recovery equipment are used in branches that have the appropriate architectural design.
With timers set up in 90% of branches, the operating hours of part of the lightings were limited without remote control.