Environmental Management System

Saving energy and preserving natural resources

Operating out of highly energy-efficient buildings 

The facilities we buy and lease meet energy saving criteria to the greatest extent possible. We make sure our buildings have the right orientation, openings and ventilation fans to make the most of: 

• Sunlight, to keep them warm in winter.  
• Fresh air, to keep them cool in the summer.  
• We also implement energy upgrades in our least energy-efficient buildings, and use eco-friendly materials and at least A++ class appliances in our workspaces.  

Our building complex in Piraeus (part of the former Papastratos complex), home to Alpha Bank’s central IT department, is a bioclimatic building certified by LEED, a globally recognised rating system assessing building sustainability and construction.  

Using LED lighting and inverter air conditioners 

We monitor energy consumption all year long to timely detect unjustifiable increases. 

To cut energy consumption, we have launched an initiative to replace conventional lighting with LED in our branches and buildings. In 2021 we replaced the interior lighting of signage in 12 Alpha Bank branches with corresponding LED technology, completing the interior lighting upgrade of signage in all our branches. 

In the same context, we are replacing older air-conditioning units with modern inverter air conditioners. 

Participating in the Earth Hour movement

In an effort to raise environmental awareness among our employees and in the community, we have participated in the Earth Hour movement since 2009, switching off the lights in our main building complexes for 1 hour on the evening of the event.  

The Earth Hour initiative was launched in Sydney, Australia, in 2007 to encourage people to take action against climate change on a global scale. At present, it is one of the most significant awareness events in the world. 

Cutting water consumption

Each year, we monitor freshwater consumption for drinking, hygiene and gardening, where applicable, in increasingly more facilities.

Limiting our greenhouse gas emissions

On our path to a net zero emissions economy, we reduce our direct and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

Replacing our fleet of vehicles 

We invest in reducing CO2 emissions, and replace our corporate fleet at the end of their lease with new hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) as soon as their lease ends. Looking to gradually replace all our conventional fossil-fuel vehicles, we have been installing electric vehicle charging stations in our main buildings. 

Reducing indirect emissions by cutting paper waste  

To reduce our indirect CO2 emissions and protect forests and the environment, we waste less paper by sending clients e-statements instead of paper statements.  

In an effort to minimise paper records, we have limited the use of pre-printed forms and invested in computerised operations. What is more, we do not encourage printing documents (e.g. agreements) at our branches. To manage our printing tasks, we use MPS (Managed Print Services) software, along with a privately owned network of all-in-one printers. This is how we cut paper waste, use fewer printer supplies and protect our hardware. 

We have placed a limit on annual paper supply costs and all our employees try to print only when absolutely necessary. We buy 75 gr/m2 energy-efficient printing paper from large manufacturers certified according to PEFC/ISO 9001/ISO 14001. The yearly calendars and A6 notebooks given to the Bank’s employees are made with FSC-certified paper. 

Using less plastic 

Plastic pens used in the past have been replaced with bamboo pens. The once plastic cups, salad containers and straws in the Bank’s cafeterias have been replaced with paper ones. The lids on the salad containers are still plastic so that the contents are visible, but an environmental fee is charged as per Greek law.  

Monitoring greenhouse gas and other gas emissions 

We monitor and record the indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions occurring from buying and transporting goods, heating fuel, business trips, employee transport, investments, etc. At the same time, we measure other gas emissions associated with energy consumption. 

To calculate said emissions, we follow the latest guidelines, protocols and standards, including: 

• Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate and Accounting Standard (GHG Protocol). 
• EMEP/EEA Air Pollutant Emission Inventory Guidebook 2013. 
• The Global GHG Accounting & Reporting for the Financial Industry Standard by the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF). 

Greenhouse gas emissions per scope 

	2020 (in CO2 eq tonnes)	2021 (in CO2 eq tonnes)	Difference  2020-2021
Scope 1 (direct emissions)	1,793	1,514	-15.6%
Scope 2 (indirect emissions)	0	0	-
Scope 3 (third-party indirect emissions)	548,648	497,006	-9.4%
Total	550,441	499,017	-9.3%

Replacing cooling systems and materials 

To reduce our ozone (Ο3) emissions, we make sure our new cooling systems use eco-friendly refrigerants. We also retrofit our existing cooling units to use hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) instead of ozone-depleting substances (ODS). 

Reusing and recycling

Paper 

We work with private recycling companies to recycle the paper used in our branches and buildings in Athens, Thessaloniki and the rest of Greece on a daily basis. To this end, recycling bins are available at our central branches.  

We also use paper shredders and 100% bleach-free, recyclable paper hand towels in our branches.  

Plastic and aluminium 

Working with a recycling company, we have placed recycling bins for plastic and aluminium at our main buildings. The bins feature the Alpha Bank logo and a message promoting environmental awareness. 

In the context of our partnership with catering company Newrest, we can always get reusable supplies, including cups and thermos flasks. 

Batteries 

We work with battery recycling company AFIS to recycle our batteries. Dedicated battery recycling collection bins are available at all our branches and central offices in Greece, and at all companies of our Group based in Greece. 

Lead-acid batteries, toner and ink cartridges 

We work with major battery supplier Sunlight for the collection of lead-acid batteries. Authorised partners also collect our empty toner and ink cartridges upon request by the Bank in order to be recycled.

Equipment, lighting bulbs and other light sources 

We recycle obsolete or damaged hardware, including servers, computers, monitors, printers, POS terminals, etc. To this end, we have partnered up with APPLIANCES RECYCLING SA. 

To recycle our lighting bulbs and other light sources, we have placed dedicated collection bins in our entire network in Greece, working with FOTOKYKLOSI SA. 

Obsolete equipment waste 

We decommission our obsolete equipment responsibly. Office furniture, filing cabinets, metal objects, etc. are given away, recycled or resold. Other waste is taken to appropriate landfill sites for safe destruction and disposal, or given away as scrap. 

Choosing environmentally responsible suppliers

We source top quality supplies that have a minimal ecological footprint. To make this possible, we work with socially responsible companies.  

Our electronic procurement system assesses our suppliers based on environmental criteria. This is how we make sure our suppliers:  

• Use materials and provide services that meet measurable environmental protection criteria.  
• Develop and implement environmental management systems based on global standards.  

We also work with our suppliers using environmentally friendly processes, including e-tendering, and online requisitions and quotes. 

Upgrading built environment 

We care about keeping our surroundings green and we respect the natural environment. This is why we have no buildings in sensitive biodiversity areas.  

By developing and maintaining green spaces, we also upgrade urban areas. In this context, we landscaped from scratch an unused plot next to our 103 Athinon Avenue building, which belongs to the City of Athens. We undertook all necessary tasks, including the landscaping, planting and maintenance of a dedicated green space of almost 3,520 sqm. 

This valuable environmental resource: 

• Helps remove pollution from the atmosphere. 
• Helps urban greenery stand out.  
• Upgrades the area around it. 

The Alpha Bank building next to this green space has been certified as bioclimatic. The building has its own additional green space of 2,174 sqm. Combined with the new development, they are a significant haven of green for the entire area.