AIB: Engaging employees whilst improving environmental practices
Over the last few editions of CSR News Ireland we had the opportunity to learn about AIB’s sustainability practices: from their overall achievements, to looking at how they integrate sustainability into their supply chain. Here we’ll learn how they achieved targets in waste, water, energy and transport, engaging employees along the process.
Waste Management
A “bin-less” office programme was introduced across AIB’s head office network in 2009, followed by the introduction of designated waste segregation points the following year.
Key facts include:
• 0% of waste collected from their Bankcentre head office by their waste contractor goes to landfill
• Organic waste is rendered and shredded down so that it can then be distributed as fertiliser on farms all over Ireland.
• Clear areas are in place for storage of hazardous waste such as used oil, grease, fluorescent tubes and refrigerant gases.
• Centralised “Printing on Demand” implemented with auto double-sided default setting reduces both energy and paper usage
Water Management
Recent work in the area of water management has resulted in water savings being generated. Water meters have been installed in all AIB locations, with continuous monitoring installed in the 10 largest branch locations.
Key achievements to date include:
• 14% drop through staff awareness, and installation of Passive Infrared sensors (PIRs) on taps and urinals in Bankcentre. PIRs on urinals have saved 4.5% (4,445m3) of Bankcentre consumption)
• Significant reduction in water lost through leaks found by sub metering AIB’s largest branches (in one case a 99% reduction).
• Bottled water was removed from AIB head offices in 2013 reducing waste and transport requirements.
Transport Management –Minimising Traffic & Use of Vehicles
AIB has been a market leader in migrating its account holders to electronic banking. They have upgraded IT systems to facilitate online collaboration and remote working, reducing the need for staff to travel. Key achievements on the reduction of transport impact are as follows:
• 51% reduction in AIB’s car fleet from 250 to 129 cars (since 2012) thereby reducing associated emissions
• Increasing car fleet to 90% diesel meaning the overwhelming majority of cars in AIB’s fleet emit 20% less CO2/km than their petrol counterpart.
• Air Travel mileage has reduced by 9% in 2013 compared to 2012.
• AIB continued to offer tax saver and bike to work schemes to its staff
• Access to Go Car, a car sharing scheme for Dublin staff, with 3 Go Cars based at head office
• 2 Electric car charging points installed in Ballsbridge
Energy Efficiency: AIB Headquarters achieve ISO 50001 Certification
As a large energy user AIB is focused on ensuring energy is used efficiently and effectively. In late 2014 AIB achieved the ISO50001 Certification for its headquarter campus at Bankcentre, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The location is the largest in the AIB estate and houses over 4,500 people. It is one of the largest sites in Ireland to have achieved such an accolade.
AIB generates electricity at two sites, Airside (Swords) and Bankcentre (Ballsbridge) via high efficiency Combined Heat & Power. All other electricity sourced from the grid is certified as being generated from renewable sources.
2014 was a pivotal year for AIB in terms of improvements in energy performance: consolidation of AIB buildings and improvements in efficiency contributed to an overall energy reduction of 18% (in comparison with 2013). AIB continues to strive towards the national target of a 33% reduction by 2021.
AIB actively encourages staff to get involved in energy saving; ideas can be submitted via the internal intranet or directly to the Energy office, and energy saving ideas are regularly featured on the company intranet site. Initiatives like the ‘Energy Awareness Day’help staff understand how they can get involved and play their part in conserving energy both at work and at home.
A staff energy awareness day held in October 2014 was open to the 4,500 staff in Bankcentre, and featured AIB customers and suppliers active in this field. It featured architectural consultations, home energy improvement plans, test driving of electric cars and energy saving product demonstrations.
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