Reduction of the consumption of raw materials and resources

Activities aimed at significantly reducing paper consumption are implemented in the current operations of the Pekao Group and the Bank. Starting in 2021, the Bank intensified its efforts to reduce paper correspondence. Among the most important elements of these activities are combining correspondence sent to the same address and promoting electronic receipt of information such as bank statements and regulations. As a result, it was possible to reduce the number of customers using traditional mail by 450,000 people, including 160,000 in 2023, and the number of letters sent in 2023 was reduced by 2 million per year. In the case of bulk mail, the year-on-year decline in paper consumption was 23.1%, and in envelopes by 26.7%. In addition, only paper with certificates, among others FSC, EU Ecolabel, PEFC, is used in daily work, including printouts to customers.

During ongoing repairs and renovations, in an effort to reduce water consumption in the Bank’s facilities, water pressure limiters or aerators are installed and household appliances are replaced with new and energy-efficient ones.

In 2023, implementation of green solutions continued with special attention to projects reducing electricity consumption and reducing negative environmental impacts. These included, inter alia:

• the gradual replacement of older-type lighting with energy-efficient LED lighting,
• optimization of power consumption (reduction of so-called ordered capacity),
• replacing emergency UPSes with new ones of a higher maximum efficiency,
• liquidation of unnecessary backup power supplies,
• installation of energy-efficient air conditioning systems,
• analyses aimed at installing reactive power compensation devices (and consequently eliminating unnecessary energy expenditure),
• switching electrical devices at night to “standby mode”.

In 2023, 23 full renovations of retail outlets were carried out. Energy-efficient electrical solutions were used in the renovated premises, LED lighting was installed, and ventilation and air conditioning equipment was replaced with equipment having, among other things, controls that reduce electricity consumption. In addition, work has been done to modernize and optimize lighting at the Bank’s 175 branches nationwide.

In 2023, the Bank entered into a one-year contract to purchase electricity while purchasing renewable energy guarantees of origin for the entire contracted volume. The Bank has received Certificate RGP_ENERGAOB_2023-11-16_0010 for the first half of 2023, certifying the introduction of 16,500 MWh of electricity generated from wind sources in a renewable energy facility into the grid.

In April 2023, the Bank’s headquarters moved to the Pekao Tower headquarters in the Forest complex at 1 Żubra Street in Warsaw, near the traffic circle of Zgrupowania AK Radosław. The excellent location is conducive to reducing car traffic for commuting and provides excellent connections to every part of the city. Near the building there is a bike path, bus stops, streetcars and light rail (Warsaw Powązki), and within a 10-minute walk there is the Dworzec Gdański subway station.

The new headquarters are located in a modern building that has been designed to consume as little energy and raw materials as possible (including the ability to recycle rainwater). The building is covered with solar control glass, and the floor-to-ceiling tall windows are equipped with a special triple silver coating to guarantee employees a clear view and optimal thermal comfort. Lower energy consumption is ensured by the building’s facade, which guarantees above-standard access of daylight to the interiors, while providing a barrier to the sun’s overly intense rays. As a result, the Bank will reduce the energy consumption required for heating in winter, air conditioning in summer and for artificial lighting at its new headquarters. The building has the relevant environmental and energy efficiency certificates: BREEAM on Excellent level, as well as the WELL certificate. 400 trees and shrubs have been planted in the open courtyard, recreational terraces and roof of the building.

The new energy-efficient headquarters consolidated the Warsaw units of the Bank’s Head Office, reducing the office space used by 48%.

In 2023, the Bank launched the Multi-Branch-Poland project, which consists of concentrating business divisions in multi-branch and universal outlets that are modern, user-friendly and have eco-friendly solutions. Important goals include the continued implementation of the new standard, including rotational work, and the reduction of floor space, and the savings associated with it. In 2023, 5 Multi-Branch branches were launched: in Gdańsk, Katowice, Kraków, Lublin and Łódź, in place of the current 31 branches. The headquarters (except for the one in Lublin) are BREEAM-certified at the Excellent level, additionally the branches in Gdańsk and Łódź boast the WELL Health and Safety certificate. A variety of pro-environmental solutions have been used in the buildings housing Multi-Branch branches, including: the use of energy-efficient materials, low-carbon light sources, green energy power, infrastructure for cyclists, energy-efficient ventilation systems, and a design that ensures maximum daylight.

In 2023, Bank Pekao continued the measures of previous years by successively reducing emissions into the atmosphere. The Management Board of the Bank has approved the leasing of 35 hybrid cars and 145 reduced-emission cars to replace high-emission cars. Replacement of part of the fleet began in Q4 2023 and will continue into 2024.

The Bank is also taking steps to reduce thermal energy consumption. These include replacing thermostatic heads, upgrading heating systems or replacing inefficient heat sources in facilities.