The FINANCIAL — ProCredit Bank – Environmental care and rational use of resources is an integral part of the responsible banking practiced by ProCredit banks all over the world. Throughout 2010 the Bank conducted an internal campaign aimed at increasing the awareness of energy efficiency issues among its staff.
A special training course was organized for the middle managers of ProCredit Bank aimed at raising the awareness of energy efficiency issues. Information about the bank’s activities in this regard, statistics of resource allocation and energy saving tips are regularly published on the intranet energy efficiency page. Among other activities, ProCredit Bank strives to establish a culture of rational paper use in house. The used paper is shredded and recycled. All employees have a uniform email signature with the slogan: ‘save paper, save forests’ and other visuals to remind them to print what they really need. As part of the bank’s regular promo actions, ProCredit staff plant trees, clean parks and contribute to the welfare of the neighborhoods where the bank branches operate.
“We have prepared a table calendar for the staff, containing practical and useful tips on saving energy. The topics included: plastic, food, paper, waste management, water, electricity, CO2 emission, renewable energies, heating, conditioning, etc,” said Tinatin Nadiradze PR at ProCredit Bank.
“Stopping usage of plastic cups for drinking water was part of the campaign. Today you cannot find plastic cups at the Head Office of ProCredit Bank. Glasses were purchased and placed next to the water dispensers. The employees of the head office use the glasses during the day and then place them on a specially designated place, from where they are taken to be washed for the next day” noted Nadiradze.
All employees of ProCredit Bank were given thermal coffee mugs. This will save energy for re-boiling water and will keep the coffee/tea warm inside the mug for longer. Smoking in the Head Office is allowed in specially designated areas, and is prohibited in all branches,” she added.
The new Head Office being constructed on Kazbegi Avenue will use energy-saving technologies and will have an adjoining park, contributing to the greener environment.
Société Générale Group, Bank Republic – Within the worldwide environment improvement programme of Société Générale Group, Bank Republic is fully involved in environmental issues. “In this scope, we are reporting on our achievements on a regular basis, a minimum annually, to the Paris Head Office via a specific tool used by all Société Générale’s subsidiaries,” said Tiko Janashvili, PR and Communications Department.
“After a campaign for reducing water, energy and paper consumption in 2009, we have put in place an action for collecting paper for recycling in 2010.
Besides that we are taking in to consideration the commitment of suppliers, whenever possible, regarding the environment. For instance, since 2008, we have been using copy and laser paper made from 100% Elemental Chlorine Free pulp,” she added.
“Smoking is forbidden in the offices and we have organized special areas for this purpose. Moreover, we are dedicating specific green areas around the offices (2,000 sq. m), for example in front of the Head Office.
Bank of Georgia – “Caring for the environment is one of the primary CSR objectives at Bank of Georgia. With the aim of restoring the forest destroyed by the fires during August 2008, Bank of Georgia came up with the initiative labeled The Green Deposit. Under the initiative, Bank of Georgia together with its depositors and employees planted 45,000 pine-tree, fir, cedar, and ash-tree maple and walnut saplings in the village of Tsaghveri,” said Sopho Balavadze.
Bank of Georgia has allocated a total of almost 500,000 GEL to plant the sprouts and provide for the care required to grow them. In 2009, on the World Environment Day celebrated June 5, Bank of Georgia was awarded a prize for “The Best Environmental Initiative of the Year” by the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia for the creation of the Green Deposit.
Beeline – “During the last year Beeline was actively involved in the programme called Green Saturday, when its employees together with their family members planted trees, cleaned churchyards or other public places,” said Teona Bagdavadze, PR Manager.
“This program was not just conducted in Tbilisi, but some other major cities like: Telavi, Poti, Batumi, and Zugdidi,” noted Bagdavadze.
“As for environment friendly activities, Beeline is the first company in the telecommunication field to use solar energy for its stations.
We conducted a very interesting media tour to this place that proved our idea that the Green issue is becoming more and more important to our society,” she added.
Radisson – “We don’t use solar energy, but the bulbs which we are using in the hotel are low-energy light bulbs. Also, we are using room key cards to switch off lighting. All bathrooms of our guest rooms are equipped with water efficient shower heads and water efficient basin taps. In public restrooms we have sensor taps and push taps (with automatic stop), which is also saving water,” she added.
“We are doing our best to save water, energy and take care of the nature. Also we have a special “Responsible Business” programme for environmental issues,” noted Natalia Luchaninova, PR Manager at the Radisson.
“Smoking is forbidden in the offices. There is a special place in the hotel where our employees can smoke,” said Natalia Luchaninova.
“We started participating in the programme “Green Office” developed by CENN (Caucasus Environmental NGO Network). The first action that we are doing together is paper recycling. In the future we are planning to support and participate in every activity developed and managed by “Green Office,” she said.
Bank Constanta – “Up to 10,000 GEL was spent by Bank Constanta in 2010 on green activities,” said Giorgi Gogua. “The company doesn’t run systematic environment management but still it does have energy efficient technologies installed,” he noted.
On 4 December Bank Constanta has initiated reforestation in Tserovani nearby internally displaced people’s dwellings. The project envisages 33,000 square metres planting of 960 trees. The Bank also takes responsibility within 3 years of overseeing the growing of the trees.
As well as this project Bank Constanta is planning to plant another 2,000 saplings. Similar projects will also be a priority for 2011.
Smoking is forbidden in Constanta. The company doesn’t have green areas around the offices.
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