Environmental protection

The Bank seeks to minimise the amount of generated waste, separates waste, provides separate battery waste bins to employees (hazardous waste), strive to promote recycling and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, both directly related to its operations and generated in the supply chain. We support workers in economic driving that reduces fuel consumption and, at the same time, emissions to the environment. We take into account environmental criteria in procurement decisions, for example by providing water purifiers at all of our offices, or placing environmentally friendly items in product catalogues. In addition, BGK takes care to ensure that its offer includes financial products supporting the implementation of environmental protection solutions by local governments and businesses.

BGK is aware of its impact on climate change, as well as the impact of climate change on the Bank’s operations. We also monitor the ongoing processes and new regulations that contribute to a dynamic increase in the impact of climate change on the functioning of the Bank. The most significant include the European Green Deal, which is the EU’s new development strategy aimed at combating climate change and achieving climate neutrality by the European Union. To meet the regulatory changes and to actively contribute to fighting against climate change, work was started at the Bank to adequately address the risks associated with ESG factors in internal processes and procedures. The work also takes into account aspects related to the transition to net-zero carbon economy and the environmental impact of the Bank.

We monitor the number of kilometres travelled by the Bank’s employees during business trips. In 2020, they flew 273,521 km.

* BGK does not have own renewable sources

** Data updated on 12.04.2022 due to a calculation error contained in the originally published data

We reduced the amount of purchased bottled water by providing employees with water purifiers in kitchens and issuing relevant guidelines for procurement processes to restrict the purchase of PET bottles.

The Bank took action to, inter alia, reduce paper consumption by implementing a digital document circulation, e.g. in collecting applications from customers and in procurement processes. BGK also implements the “Green Bank” initiative, as part of which e.g. it introduced the submission of electronic applications in the “loan for technological innovations” procedure addressed to SMEs (savings of at least 70 thousand sheets of paper per year).

It also introduced electronic processing of documents related to the Company Social Benefits Fund – declarations, applications and any documents usually submitted in paper form were replaced by documents filled in electronically. In June 2021, we are set to complete the process of switching to electronic processing of applications submitted by employees for medical care and Multisport card benefits. We also implemented a new processing procedure for the Employee Pension Scheme – all documents that had been previously submitted in paper form were replaced by electronic filings. These actions result in significant savings in paper consumption.

In 2020, the refurbishment of BGK’s registered office began, as part of which environmentally friendly solutions (e.g. green energy production) and solutions increasing the energy efficiency of the building, enhancing security or raising the working standard will be implemented. These will include:

Environmental protection:

• low-volume automatic greenery irrigation system – a droplet system instead of sprinklers,
• grey water – water treatment that does not require chemicals;

Energy management:

• integration of electrical, heating and air-conditioning systems,
• controlling heating, cooling and regulating climate parameters,
• controlling rollers and gate actuators,
• lighting control,
• integration with the BMS platform,
• production of green energy,
• more efficient management of utilities (assessment of current energy consumption in relation to expected levels);

Green energy – photovoltaic energy:

• photovoltaic modules installed on the roof of BGK’s office (3 independent panel systems on the roofs of building connectors):
• energy generated by the photovoltaic system – approximately 38.41 MW per year – covering up to 100% of the electricity demand for building illumination (assuming that the illumination will be switched on for an average of four hours per day);

Reduction of emissions:

• charging stations for scooters and electric bicycles;

Energy consumption for cooling purposes:

• state-of-the-art, green, integrated ventilation and air-conditioning system for the entire building,
• equipment used for both heating and cooling,
• high thermal comfort in the winter,
• natural airflow in cooling mode,
• uniform temperature distribution;

High insulating capacity of partitions:

• high insulating capacity of windows, walls and the roof,
• high insulating capacity of rooflights,
• integrated blinds installed inside sealed glass units (sunlight control – adjustment of intensity);

Hybrid cooling (hybrid adiabatic coolers):

• low energy consumption,
• high efficiency,
• reduction of noise;

Energy recovery:

• increased energy efficiency of the building thanks to heat recovery;

Energy efficient lifts:

• reduced standby energy consumption,
• door drive switched off when the lift is stopped,
• smart control systems,
• switching off cabin lighting and application of LED lighting;

For the duration of the refurbishment, the Bank’s office was transferred to Varso 2, a modern office and retail building awarded with BREEAM and WELL certificates for the application of modern energy efficient solutions. Solutions used at the Varso 2 building: 100% of LED lighting, cooling energy produced by closed cooling towers with spraying option, promotion of alternative communication solutions thanks to the availability of extensive bicycle infrastructure, charging station for electric scooters. Moreover, the electricity purchased to power the charging station for electric scooters has a green certificate. As regards water savings, a high-pressure water spray system is used, green areas on terraces are watered with grey water (rainwater), aerators are used in all taps.

In 2020, no penalties and non-financial sanctions were imposed on BGK for non-compliance with environmental laws and/or regulations.