2005 has been a turning point for TSKB to internalize environment in its business processes and place it into a systematic structure by establishing Environment Management System (EMS).
For the aim of improving internal capacity and structure on environment KfW proposed help to TSKB in the establishment process of EMS and made intense contributions with its experience.
As a result of the analyses and evaluations, TSKB structured its environmental approach at four dimensions;- Environmental risks arising from lending activities: External environmental impacts of TSKB,
- Defining, controlling and reducing inner environmental impacts of TSKB arising from operational services: systematic management of electricity, water, natural gas usage, paper consumption and CO2 emission
- Emphasizing products and services of TSKB on sustainable banking: financing renewable energy, energy efficiency and environment investments,
- Informing all TSKB employees and stakeholders on a continuous basis and encouraging them to actively participate in the processes and increasing their awareness on environment
In 2005 TSKB started the establishment process of EMS and completed the project successfully at the end of 2006 as planned.
TSKB structured EMS based on Deming cycle of "Plan - Do - Check - Act".
Independent audit and documentation of the system was completed by TUV Rheinland (Germany) and TSKB EMS has been given ISO 14001 Certificate on December 22, 2006.
TSKB is the first bank with an Environment Management System.
All activities executed in TSKB regarding preservation of environment are in line with TSKB Environment Policy and Environment Management System (EMS)
| ISO 14001 |
*ISO standards require a certification audit in the third year and continuity audits annually. |
TSKB has achieved ISO 14001 Certification on December 22, 2006 and has successfully passed the continuity audits on January 10, 2008 and December 19, 2008. The audits showed that the EMS met all the requirements of ISO 14001 international certification. The first 3 years term of certification will be completed on December 19, 2009. The Bank and the team are ready for the second term certification process.*- Shared intensively with clients, stakeholders and public
- Implemented in the process of serving products and services
- Used to guide the Bank’s systematic activities to reduce its direct impacts on environment
EMS of TSKB was established within the context of a series of meetings organized with the aim of informing senior and junior managers of the Bank about environment and risk management and to include them in the process. The first meeting took place in April 2005.
| Phases | Activities | Results |
| 1st Phase | Beginning and first findings – In the first study the core team of EMS identified the first principles considering the EMS structure, human resources and project approach. Data collection and improvement of the EMS structure – In the second study of the first phase the methods of data compilation and the basic components of EMS were determined. Identifying environmental risks – In this study, the products and services of TSKB were analyzed in line with the requirements of EMS and environmental risks of TSKB were identified. Also methods of TSKB Credit Risk Analyses were evaluated. |
The first findings concerning the project, structure of EMS and the related risks were presented to the TSKB top management and were discussed. |
| 2nd Phase | Environment and risk management program – In the light of the findings of the previous studies, an environment and risk management program is prepared. To evaluate the environmental risks of lending activities, ERET (Environmental Risk Evaluation Tool) infrastructure is decided to be formed. Management system – Documentation of the management system is completed. Within this study, TSKB Environmental Policy, TSKB Environment Procedures, TSKB Manuel, Basic Objectives and Goals were prepared. |
Implementation of the program and system documentation was completed and TSKB management was informed. |
| 3rd Phase | Training and audit – The related employees were trained on how they will work in line with EMS and what they can do to improve the system. The inspection staff of the Bank is also trained about EMS. Inspection, preventive and regulatory actions – The first environmental audit took place at the headquarters of TSKB in Istanbul and the preventive and regulatory actions were identified with the participation of the employees. |
The audit and the trainings were completed. |
| 4th Phase | Evaluation of management – Results of the inspections and the actions determined were evaluated by the top management of the Bank and improvement areas have been identified. | The results were evaluated with the management and the trainees were certified. |
The establishment of EMS structure in TSKB took 18 months. At each phase of the project the top management of TSKB was informed about the development and the next steps and is asked of their opinions. TSKB Top Managers have empathically contributed to the establishment and development of EMS.
TSKB intensely supports its environmental approach by training activities.
Before EMS:- In the process of IPAP (Industrial Pollution Abatement Project) credit lending, KfW has provided technical support program for the project evaluation team to increase their environmental awareness. In this context, for about 2 years environmental capacity improvement program was implemented.
- TSKB has attended “Environmental Risk Management for Financial Institutions Workshop” by “IFC, FI Safeguards Training Workshop” by World Bank and the feedback group of IFC Environmental and Social Assessment Tool (ESAT) program.
In the process of establishing EMS:
- The Bank’s Environment Management Team has participated in all establishment phases of EMS and attended 8 workshops organized at different dates.
- The member of Board of Auditors are trained on “EMS internal audit”
- When structuring ERET the Engineering Department was trained by environmental consultants. ERET was prepared with the interactive participation of the Engineering Department.
- All employees of the Bank attended the environment awareness training.
After the establishment of EMS:
- TSKB employees are trained on environment, ISO 14001, climate change and sustainable living on a regular basis.
- Engineering Department staff is trained on environmental evaluation on a regular basis.
- Energy Efficiency Training is organized in the Bank and given by AFD (Agence Française de Développement).
| Seminar on Climate Change for TSKB Employees |
Istanbul University Geography Department lecturer Dr. Barbaros Gönençgil has given a seminar about “Climate Change and Human Regarding Natural Processes" on December 4, 2008. With the participation of 100 people this interactive seminar played an important role to increase the knowledge level of employees on climate change.  Climate Change Seminar Click the image to enlarge. In 2008-2009 following seminars were organized: |
Following the establishment of EMS TSKB published its Environmental Policy on June 1, 2006 for the first time. After 3 years of embracing new responsibilities and renewing its mission, TSKB updated its Environment Policy and shared it with public.
Click for TSKB Environment Policy
Aiming to reduce the direct and indirect risks arising from its activities to a minimum level, TSKB believes that environmental issues seriously threaten the future of the world.
Within the EMS coverage, the Bank described processes and procedures and prepared Environment Manual and TSKB Environmental Objectives and Program.
The activities within the context of EMS and ISO 14001 are planned annually. The structure of the EMS is reviewed at least once by the top management of TSKB. The Bank also informs its stakeholders and public about the activities regarding EMS in its corporate web site by systematically updating it.
With EMS, all parameters of TSKB buildings (maintenance of the elevators, gas emissions of the vehicles, domestic oil waste, fire extinguishers, earthquake security sensors, batteries, glass, metal and technological waste etc.) are controlled more systematically.
Environment Management Team of TSKB
Environment Management Team is responsible for the permanence of EMS. The basis of this team was formed in the EMS study group established in 2005 gathering representatives of different departments and turning to be the EMS project team. After the completion of the EMS the same team became Environment Management Team.
The team is coordinated by TSKB Environment Representative (Also Engineering Group Manager) who directly reports to the CEO.
Left to right: Sercan Karaman, Itır Özmen, Canan Coşkun, Coşkun Kanberoğlu, Nesrin Beyer, Hülya Kurt, Öjen Arslanyan, Gürkan Gürbüz, Berna Sahillioğlu, Meltem Gülsoy, Murat Özcanlı
Organization Chart of TSKB Environment Management System
* This function reports directly to the CEO
Engineering Department has been one of the keystones of EMS
Engineering Department of TSKB is unique in the Turkish Banking sector with its 8 engineers.
The department staff has deep experience and knowledge in project evaluation, especially on renewable energy. In the project evaluation process the department is responsible with handling the environmental issues besides other technical issues. While preparing the credit reports the project engineer visits the related sights and monitors environmental impacts himself. The ÇED (Environmental Impact Evaluation) regulations and other related by-laws are taken into consideration to locate the plant/project socially and environmentally in the right place and the environment report is prepared accordingly.
The close cooperation that TSKB has built with the World Bank, EIB (European Investment Bank), CEB (Council of Europe Development Bank), IFC (International Finance Corporation), AFD (Agence Française de Développement) enables the Bank to work with international experts and to improve its staff’s competencies.,
The Engineering, Economics, Marketing and Project Finance Department staff regularly attend trainings, conferences and workshops on renewable energy, energy efficiency, environment, sustainable development, carbon emissions and climate change.
Seeing internal capacity as the key to sustainable banking TSKB organized two informative meetings on climate change and global warming with the participation of local experts. TSKB believes that building internal capacity about sustainability is a long term task and is determinant to continue its efforts.
EMS Documents of TSKB is open to audit
All reports, procedures and records created by TSKB on environmental impacts are open to local and international audit. These documents are kept electronically and bilingually in Turkish and in English.
TSKB emergency plans are kept updated and tested regularly. In emergency cases the TSKB employees responsible with business continuity and their responsibilities are all specified.