BNP Paribas Fortis has been carbon-neutral since 2017

We therefore began offsetting these residual emissions in 2017 by participating in positive projects, such as one in Kenya where we are helping to restore 500,000 hectares of forest.

By cutting our CO2 emissions by 31% between 2012 and 2019, we far exceeded our target as we were in fact aiming for a 25% reduction by the end of 2020. The reduction we achieved is largely due to the initiatives we have taken in the two areas where most of the emissions directly linked to the running of our business are generated: work-related travel and the energy we use to heat and light our premises.

100% ‘green’ power

We’re constantly looking to optimise energy efficiency at our buildings and we have also opted to use ‘green’ electricity. Since 2015, we’ve been working with a supplier who guarantees that all the electricity we consume comes from renewable sources.

Offsetting unavoidable emissions

However, some work-related travel remains necessary and renewable energy cannot always be substituted for other sources.  In order to offset our non-reducible CO2 emissions so as to ensure carbon neutrality,  we entered in 2017 into partnerships negotiated by the BNP Paribas Group with benchmark-setting organisations such as the ClimateSeed platform and the Wildlife Works conservation organisation.

Forests, schools, jobs

We’re contributing to a Wildlife Works programme to protect wildlife and restore over 500,000 hectares of forest in Kenya.  This initiative also helps to finance schools, ensure better access to drinking water, and assists local communities in creating sustainable jobs. If you’d like to plunge into Kenya’s magnificent forests and get a feel for this great project, watch this video.