TSKB CARBON NEUTRALIZATION PROJECT

TSKB is the first and only bank in Turkey to offset its carbon footprint and to gain an approved carbon neutral identity

In order to offset its carbon footprint and to create a management strategy TSKB started a project in cooperation with the carbon consulting company Ecofys. Carbon neutralization project covered:
- Detecting and auditing the carbon foot print of TSKB
- Realizing the process of purchasing carbon credit
- Consultancy services TSKB needed in the phase of being a carbon neutral bank.

A bank’s carbon footprint is the total of all greenhouse gases emissions as a result of factors like transportation, heating and electricity. Another description of carbon foot print is: a climate change factor created by the CO2 emission as a result of burning fossil fuels.


Click the chart to enlarge.

TSKB has been calculating its carbon footprint since 2006.
According to 2008 data carbon footprint of TSKB is equivalent to 1.249 tones CO2 and 74% of this amount is created by electricity consumption. Ecofys prepared a carbon neutral report analyzing TSKB’s electricity, natural gas, paper consumption numbers and traveling kilometers.

The carbon neutral report by Ecofys was sent to Holland based HIER for assurance. HIER, formation of more than 40 NGOs, deemed the project and the targets fit and proper and approved TSKB’s carbon neutral identity as a result of its analyses.

To offset its carbon footprint TSKB purchased 3,000 tons of Gold Standard Carbon Credit. 1.249 tones of the credit were used to offset the carbon footprint of 2008.

Carbon Credits Purchased Uses of Credits Total
3,000 tones of Gold Standard Carbon Credit
  • TSKB Carbon
  • Neutralization Project
Offsetting carbon footprints of Clean Energy Fund clients (Please see Sustainable finance)

1.249 tones CO2 equivalent

1.740 tones CO2 equivalent

TSKB preferred to purchase carbon credit from the ITC Mamak Integrated Domestic Waste Disposal Project which is also financed by the Bank.

TSKB’s strategy of reducing carbon footprint
TSKB started implementing its strategy to reduce its CO2 emission. The Bank aims to measure and reduce the negative environmental impacts of its buildings and operations on a continuous and systematic basis. With the belief that offsetting carbon footprint is not sufficient TSKB set its strategy of reducing CO2 emission through energy savings and improvement plans.

TSKB’s strategy of reducing carbon foot print goals of 2009/2010, Realisation of semi annual goals 2009/i and measures taken regarding goals
  Goals of
2009-2010 		Realization Of Semi Annual 2009/I Goals and Overall Evaluation Measures Taken Regarding Goals
Electricity Achieving 7% savings and transition to renewable energy TSKB reduced its electricity consumption by 6.2% and aims to surpass this achievement with the efficiency studies on electricity consumption.

With this saving rate the Bank has nearly reached its 2 years goal of 7% in six months.

 
  • All systems functioning with electricity were gone through maintenance and cleaning to reach their maximum efficiency.
  • Unnecessary lighting fixtures were put out of service.
  • A system is installed by the Bank technicians to put the lighting system out of service after business hours.
  • Air conditioning system is turned off one hour before the business hours end.
  • Elevator usage is optimized.
Natural Gas Numerical savings goal is not saved but highest possible improvement is targeted. TSKB reduced its natural gas consumption by 10.75% in the first half of 2009.
  • Heating system has gone through maintenance and cleaning to reach its maximum efficiency
  • Heating system is turned off one hour before the business hours end.
  • The inner temperature is controlled as a result of outer temperature controls.
Water Numerical savings goal is not saved but highest possible improvement is targeted. TSKB reduced its water consumption by 8.30% in the first half of 2009.

 
  • At each floor, water pressure adjustments are made and special captions are installed on the faucets to control the water consumption in the Bank.
  • With the automation of cooling towers water dissipation is averted.
 
Paper Numerical savings goal is not put but highest possible improvement is targeted. TSKB reduced its paper consumption by 8.16% in the first half of 2009.

TSKB finds its own performance inadequate regarding paper consumption and collection of waste paper. Aiming a larger reduction in paper consumption the Bank wants to increase the awareness level and regaining the waste paper and plans systematic projects in achieving this target.

TSKB’s target is to increase the amount of paper waste collected and to reduce the paper consumption.
  • The business flows at TSKB are all realized on an electronic platform which is continuously improved.
  • All paper waste is collected throughout the Bank and after decomposing is given to a paper collecting organization authorized by Beyoğlu Municipality.
  • Paper consumption is audited and controlled by monthly counts.

TSKB not only finances renewable energy investments but also uses renewable energy itself.
Since June 2006, TSKB uses “green energy” (renewable energy). With an “independent consumer” status since June 1, 2009, the Bank started purchasing the electricity needed for headquarters, Ankara and Izmir branches from Bereket Energy, a company generating electricity from renewable sources.

Independent Consumer

The companies with production licenses sell the electricity to independent consumers or wholesalers under the framework of mutual contracts. In the beginning of 2009 EPDK reduced the independent consumer threshold (the minimum consumption level to be able to select its own supplier) from 1.2 million kWh/year to 480 thousand kWh/year. At this level 55% of the market turns to be potential independent consumer. The meaning of this reduction is that almost all industrial companies, medium and large size trading firms turn to be potential clients of the electricity producers to sell their product directly.

Source: EPDK (Energy Market Regulatory Authority)
Buildings of TSKB

The headquarters of TSKB is located in two buildings in Kabataş. Total size of the front building is 6,905 m² and the second building is 9,710 m². The third building of the complex Garden of Eden is an annex for specific use.

These buildings have gone through a comprehensive renovation; the heating and air conditioning systems were renewed, the illumination systems were modernized, strong exterior isolation was done and window casings were repaired.