The Environment

With its target of a 1.5 degree climate alignment by 2050, pbb Group has set itself a fundamental long-term climate target and thus strives to constantly and permanently reduce its ecological footprint and avoid harming the environment – by aligning its lending business with sustainability criteria, funding itself via green financial products, and by handling natural resources responsibly.

pbb Group endeavours to permanently and continuously reduce its own ecological footprint. In order to create a database that is as precise as possible, company-related greenhouse gas emissions, including upstream and downstream corporate processes, are divided into three categories, known as Scope 1 - 3 emissions, in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Even if the focus is on avoiding and reducing emissions, there are emissions that cannot be avoided ("base consumption"). pbb offsets these CO₂ emissions resulting from its own business operations for company cars, electricity, office consumption, business trips and events by supporting climate projects.

Material reference points for this are especially the buildings used by pbb Group, the organisation of workflows, and the mobility of the Group’s employees.

Electricity is permanently saved by using energy-efficient office equipment, such as printers with the Energy Star certificate, and by a strict management of electronic devices in line with demand. Working processes are generally designed to be as paper-saving as possible. Hence, multiple electronic devices are used in order to replace paper-based processes.

The paper we use is certified as eco-friendly. pbb Group has refrained from the provision of printed annual reports and interim reports. We further support recycling by re-using cardboard boxes received as transport packaging.

The Travel Policy serves as a uniform groupwide standard for all employees’ business travel. Besides simplifying effective management and control of travel expenses within pbb Group, it also aims to provide an active contribution to environmental protection. Before commencing travel, employees are asked to consider whether the trip is generally necessary or can be replaced by video conferences.