Appendices
The environmental transition, whether it involves upgrading buildings, replacing equipment or changing habits, is a process that takes time.
History of ESG actions
The environmental transition, whether it involves upgrading buildings, replacing equipment or changing habits, is a process that takes time.
Aware of this challenge, BCF has been continually reducing its environmental impact for several years, despite sustained economic growth.
It set up a Sustainable Development working group from the outset that operates across all its activities. This collective and structured approach enables the Bank to effectively manage its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions while ensuring the consistency of its long-term commitments.
Main activities
Below is a brief summary of the main actions by BCF that have led to a reduction in CO2:
2003
Establishment of the Sustainability working group at BCF
2004
Contract with Groupe E for thermal insulation (headquarters)
2005
20% increase in the use of Jade electricity
2006
Air cooling of the cooling installation
2007
Replacement of lift motors
2008
First CO2 assessment; e-invoicing system to limit printing
2009
First LED sign and timed control of signage on public lighting
2010
Double-sided printing as standard, Climate Services Silver label, automatic end-of-day shutdown of computers
2011
Certification of e-banking in accordance with the ISO 14064 standard with investment of residual CO2 emitted by customer transactions in certificates for a reforestation project in Africa, awareness-raising campaign: Eco-gesture; renovation of lighting in customer areas; Gold Label from Climate Services
2012
Use of eco-design in redesigning the Bank’s website. To this end, BCF consulted GreenIT.fr, Breek and GreenIT Consulting to draw up an appropriate specification, which then led to the creation of the “Eco-conception web / les 100 bonnes pratiques” book by M. Frédéric Bordage, published by Eyrolles, ISBN 978-2-212-13575-6, introduction of the ISO 26000 standard; remote monitoring of tanks
2013
Cleaning of the heating circuits at head office; energy analysis of the head office; Installation of a new gas boiler at the Vuisternens-devant-Romont branch
2014
Replacement of 232 thermostatic valves at head office; replacement of windows at the Charmey branch; systematic double-sided printing
2015
New LED lighting in the head office basement, partial replacement of the windows at the head office; connection of the Murten branch to the district heating system
2016
Replacement of the remaining windows at head office, additional ceiling insulation in the airlock and installation of LED lighting at head office; renovation of the exterior of the Estavayer-le-Lac branch building; replacement of windows and partial insulation of the head office courtyard
2017
Ecogestures, creation of an e-learning programme on sustainability for all BCF employees
2018
After a series of reviews since 2014, the ISO 14024-certified Carbon Fri Foundation was founded in February 2018 by Banque Cantonale de Fribourg, the Fribourg Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Climate Services
2019
First BCF sustainability charter
2020
Creation of a BCF ESG mandate
2021
– New ESG Charter incorporating SDG targets
– First Sustainability Report for 2021
2022 2022 Sustainability Report with new visual identity and the creation of two microsites https://rg.bcf.ch and https://esg.bcf.ch for a more targeted search for ESG information on BCF
2023
– Compliance with the two SBA Guidelines:
– Guidelines for financial service providers on integrating ESG preferences and risks and preventing greenwashing in investment advice and portfolio management.
– Guidelines for mortgage providers on improving the energy efficiency of buildings with integration of ESG criteria taken into account in lending
– Preparation and approval of a mobility plan, establishment of an investment and lending policy to voluntarily comply with the requirements of the SBA Guidelines
– Implementation of a gold traceability control process for purchases and sales
2024
– Participation in the 2024 PACTA Climate Test
– Renovation of the Domdidier branch
– Installation of solar panels on the head office roof
– Replacement of monoblock ventilation units at head office (significant reduction in electricity consumption)
2025
– Publication of the energy renovation guide
– Publication of the sustainability policy and code of conduct and ethics
– Double materiality assessment
– Overhaul of the CSR report
– New responsible investment policy
Annual recurring activities
From and until today:
2008
Preparation of a certified CO2 footprint assessment and action plan
2014
Creation of a CO2 footprint assessment for online banking in accordance with the ISO 14064 standard (including the bcf.ch, mybcf, e-banking and mobile banking applications)
2020
Fair-ON-Pay, renewal of SQS Fair-ON-Pay+ certificate, renewed every two years
2021
Preparation of the Sustainability Report
2024
Assessment of CO2 emissions from the Bank’s mortgage portfolio
2025
Calculation of CO2 emissions in the mortgage portfolio, corporate loan portfolio and investment portfolio