SpareBank 1 Østlandet makes continuous efforts to become a resource-saving and environmentally-efficient organisation.
Environment and climate
Energy- and emission accounting
SpareBank 1 Østlandet prepares an annual energy- and emission accounting based on the international standard "A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard" developed by “The Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative” - the GHG protocol. This is the most commonly used method worldwide for measuring greenhouse gas emissions. ISO Standard 14064-I is based on this. Emission accounting shows that the bank's total CO2 emissions have been reduced year on year.
Accounting includes consumption that results in the emission of greenhouse gases such as travel, waste management, and energy consumption. This analysis enables the Bank to identify the sources that impact the external environment and to implement concrete measures to minimise this impact. SpareBank 1 Østlandet’s emission accounting shows that the bank's total CO2 emissions have been reduced year on year.
Here is the Bank's emissions accounting (integrated part of our annual report).
Digitizing reduces environmental impact
The digital development plays an important part in contributing to the Group’s continuing efforts to provide customers with good and efficient digital solutions. Online home mortgages, mobile banking, Vipps, SMS services and the digital distribution of letters and publications are measures that reduce the need for transport and paper consumption.
As of 2016, we closed down the "Visit Hedmark" magazine. The magazine used to be distributed to 150,000 households twice a year. News is now communicated digitally via the websites (in Norwegian): NTB Kommunikasjon (press) and our Newscenter.
Eco-Lighthouse
SpareBank 1 Østlandet’s offices are Eco-Lighthouse certified and adhere to the obligations of the certification scheme. Eco-Lighthouse is one of Norway's most widely used certificates for companies to document their environmental efforts and corporate social responsibility. Eco-Lighthouse certification helps businesses to create an environmentally-friendly operation and provides a clear and documented environmental profile. Eco-Lighthouse certification entails systematic work on environmental initiatives. The idea is to raise the awareness of all the Bank's employees with regard to consumption, travel, waste management and energy consumption in general.
What is Eco-Lighthouse certification?
Eco-Lighthouse is a Norwegian environmental management system where the intention is to help businesses meet their environmental challenges in an offensive way. When the Eco-Lighthouse’s national general requirements and special industry requirements have been met, the business can be certified by the municipality and be awarded an official certificate that proves that they are working systematically, and can document their work, in respect of the environment. The scheme is supported and recommended by the Ministry of the Environment. Read more on www.miljofyrtarn.no.