Environment and operations
In the course of its operations, Rabobank Group takes steps to benefit the
environment and limit climate change. That is why, during 2010, the focus
was primarily on reducing carbon emissions, in other words our carbon
footprint. Our aim is to cut greenhouse gas emissions per FTE by at least
20% between 2009 and 2013. In order to achieve this aim, efforts are being
made primarily in the areas of energy saving and sustainable mobility.
Offsetting carbon emissions
Energy Award
Rabobank Group's operations have been climate-neutral since 2007. In 2010, the Group's
entire carbon footprint was offset by purchasing carbon credits.These carbon credits were
connected to a number of projects that include the Jiangsu Quidong Dongyuan Wind Power
Project, which is a large wind energy park in China.
Reduced carbon footprint
Our carbon footprint for 2010 corresponded to 171,400 tonnes of C02, representing a fall
to 2.7 tonnes of C02 per FTE (2009: 2.9 tonnes). This fall was chiefly caused by a decrease in
electricity consumption at Rabobank Nederland and Rabobank International, an increase in
the proportion of green energy used at De Lage Landen in the Netherlands, and a drop in the
carbon emissions of lease cars at Rabobank Nederland and local Rabobanks. Rabobank Group
is therefore currently on course to achieve its objectives in the area of C02 reduction. For further
information on our carbon footprint and associated consumption and emissions, please log
on to www.rabobank.com/csr-factfigures. It should be noted that the reporting period has
changed, affecting the comparability of figures for previous years.
Greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint in tonnes of C02
2010 200914 2008 2007
Carbon footprint: total C02 171,400 179,600 182,800 175,500
Carbon footprint per FTE: C02 emissions per FTE 2.7 2.9 3.1 3.1
Saving energy
An internal energy programme supports local Rabobanks and other group entities in their
efforts to be more energy-efficient. In connection with this, energy studies were conducted,
and recommendations for future savings made, at local Rabobanks at 65 locations during the
year under review. A major energy study was also conducted at the Polish subsidiary, Bank BGZ,
which could lead to energy savings of some 16% over the next few years.
Rabobank Venray received the 2010 Rabo Energy Award for the lowest relative energy
consumption at Rabobank Group in 2009. In addition, Rabobank Nederland and all local
14The data on co2 emissions for 2009 Rabobanks received energy certificates displaying the source of the energy they consumed,
have been restated based on the In 2010,96% of the electricity consumed by Rabobank Group in the Netherlands came from
conversion factors for 2010. wind energy, while 46% of the gas consumed was green gas.
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Environment and operations
