Reducing our environmental footprint

Measuring greenhouse gas emissions

Since 2008, the main focus of the Banque de France’s environmental policy has been to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The principal challenge has been to equip the Bank with a sustainable development information system (SDIS) in order to measure the main sources of GHG emissions. The first SDIS was designed in 2009 and remained in place until the start of 2016. The new system, due to be launched at the end of 2016, will cover the all the main sources of GHG emissions listed in the Bilan carbone® carbon footprint assessment.

Breakdown of carbon emissions by source in 2014 (in tonnes of CO2 equivalent)

Source: Banque de France 2014 Bilan carbone® carbon footprint assessment

Setting an overall target for a reduction in GHG emissions

As part of its regulatory assessment of greenhouse gas emissions (Bilan carbone®), the Bank has set itself a target of cutting emissions by 3.8% in 2017 relative to 2014.

This is in line with the long-term objective defined under the August 2015 Energy Transition Act of reducing France’s total GHG emissions by 40% between 1990 and 2030.

Implementing targeted actions

With regard to energy usage (gas and heating oil, electricity, district heating and air conditioning), the main steps the Bank is taking to reduce emissions include replacing its heating installations and switching to renewable energy sources. On a structural level, the new IT centre has been designed to deliver optimised performances, while industrial activities are also set to evolve with the installation of new equipment.

Emissions linked to fixed assets will be reduced through the rationalisation of the Bank’s property portfolio and the replacement of existing computer hardware with machines manufactured with fewer CO2 emissions

Business trips are governed by the Bank’s travel policy, which incorporates strict environmental criteria. Teleworking has also increased steadily since its introduction in 2009, leading to a decline in the number of commuting trips.