Prebuscador

Savings and energy efficiency are an integral part of CaixaBank's corporate strategy, and they have been a priority area when it comes to reducing CO₂ emissions. The initiatives implemented in this area have enabled us to reduce electricity consumption year after year.

In 2021 the purchase of energy from renewable sources led to CO₂ savings of 19,251 t when considering the scope of CaixaBank S.A. before the merger and of 42,052 t when calculated for the Group after Bankia's incorporation.

100% of the electricity we consume in our buildings and the CaixaBank branch network comes from renewable energy sources, which is certified by the supplier company through a certificate from the National Energy Commission (CNE).

Since 2019, we have been implementing an office automation project to improve the comfort of our employees and customers, facilitate predictive maintenance and prevent incidents, while saving energy. 

We are continuously implementing initiatives to help us reduce consumption in our branch network. Some of these include: replacing fluorescent lighting with LED lighting; switching to more efficient air conditioning equipment; installing presence and lighting shutdown sensors; installing single shutdown switches for our alarm systems; using standby strips for peripherals; and replacing computer equipment.

In 2021 the electricity consumed by CaixaBank, S.A. before the merger was reduced by 6.7% when compared to 2019. The year 2020 has not been considered in the interpretation of this data, as there was an extraordinary consumption increase with respect to this year due to the impact of COVID-19 in terms of on-site presence.

Our two Data Processing Centres (DPCs) have LEED sustainable-building certification, in the Silver and Gold categories, respectively.

CaixaBank is working to reduce its carbon footprint from paper consumption, introducing measures to reduce usage and being committed to using recycled paper.

Paper saving initiatives implemented across the branch network:

• All contracts are signed digitally
• Reduction of paper consumption associated with communications to customers by 57% since 2015, -2.5% with respect to 2020
• At ATMs, the option of making cash deposits without using an envelope and viewing information on-screen rather than printing a receipt
• Reduction of pre-printed sheets
• Implementation of fax delivery by electronic internal mail using multi-function machines
• Reduction and centralisation of printers by means of multi-functional equipment with a user ID system
• Electronic billing
• Use of recycled paper in branches (96.7%), leading to CO2 savings of 905 t in 2021 when compared to the option of using white paper
• Publications released on FSC and PEFC-certified paper

In 2021 we reduced sheet paper consumption in branches by 8% with respect to 2018.

We prioritise actions that minimise the production of waste by reducing the consumption of resources.

Activities that we carry out:

• Selective waste collection allows us to recover and recycle waste
• At the corporate buildings, waste is recorded and managed by authorised waste management companies. In addition, the coffee shops at the Corporate Services building do not sell or use single-use plastic
• Across the branch network, we use the municipal separate collection bins for non-hazardous waste (paper, plastic, organic and other) and the hazardous waste is managed by authorised waste management companies through the maintenance companies (light bulbs, refrigerant gases, electronic waste, toner, etc.)
  
  

• We launch regular employee awareness campaigns to reduce waste generation
• We market cards manufactured from recycled PVC and biodegradable material
• We collect obsolete cards at the branch network for their subsequent recycling
  
  

• We have put in place the ReUtilízame programme, which encourages companies to donate surplus materials in good condition to non-profit social organisations. As a result, these materials are given a second life and do not become waste. The main goals of this initiative are to promote a circular economy and to sensitise the business community and encourage it to join a social business network.  The programme is open to clients, and 15,873 items were donated by 25 participating companies -in addition to CaixaBank- in 2021, benefiting 141 organisations

As an integral part of our environmental strategy, we develop initiatives aimed at reducing our water consumption and we adopt good practices to optimise its use. 

In 2021 we consumed 298,413 m3 of water, which represents a 6.58% reduction in consumption with respect to the previous year.

The water we use comes from the supply network, and its use is mainly for sanitary purposes, which does not allow its reuse and which is why its significance as an environmental vector is relative. However, here are some of the measures implemented to reduce its consumption: 

• Regular monitoring of water consumption, which allows detecting quickly any damage and taking the appropriate measures
• Replacement of traditional taps for water-saving taps and the toilet cisterns for smaller capacity cisterns and dual flush systems
• Cutting-edge technology has been installed at flagship buildings to optimise water consumption associated with cooling and air-conditioning processes: Data Processing Centres now feature waterless free-cooling technology, while evaporative cooling towers at the corporate centre in Barcelona were replaced with adiabatic cooling towers, which consume much less water
  
  

CaixaBank's Sustainable Mobility Plan contains an internal (organisation and people) and external (customers and suppliers) dimension, with a 360º view on the incorporation of measures that minimise the impact from travelling needs. 

Our initiatives include:

• Roll out of tools to facilitate remote working and options for on-line communication with customers that reduce travel.  
• A transformation plan for our vehicle fleet to replace diesel with hybrid vehicles.
• We are developing and implementing car-sharing in our regional centres.
• Charging points for electric vehicles and private parking for bikes and scooters in a number of corporate centres.
• Final mile deliveries of packages by electric scooter.
• Inclusion of sustainable mobility criteria in the organisation of events.
• Raising employee awareness through the travel self-reservation tool, which reports the CO₂ emissions associated with the travel.