Vontobel is the first bank to use electricity from renewable sources globally through the purchase of GoldPower certificates

 

By purchasing GoldPower certificates for all its locations that were previously unable to obtain renewable electricity, Vontobel can – for the first time – rely exclusively on electricity from renewable sources. The proceeds from the sale of these certificates are used in the development of projects to generate renewable electricity.

 

Since 2013, Vontobel has been using electricity from renewable sources for all its operations globally, including in its locations outside Switzerland. This is possible thanks to GoldPower certificates – an innovative product from Southpole Carbon, a provider of climate protection projects and services. GoldPower certificates enable companies to purchase renewable electricity even in locations where local providers do not offer the corresponding electricity products. Southpole Carbon uses the proceeds from the sale of these certificates to finance projects for the generation of renewable electricity, such as wind parks or solar energy systems. Unlike many other renewable energy products, GoldPower allows for the targeted expansion of capacity in this area – resulting in more climate-friendly forms of energy production.

 

Publication of Vontobel’s Sustainability Report

A transparent information policy is an integral part of a sustainable approach to business. In its Annual Report, Vontobel therefore reports for the third time on its commitment to sustainable banking and the progress it has achieved in this area. For example, its volume of sustainable investments rose by 17% in 2013 compared to the previous year – illustrating the growing client interest in forms of investment that focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) topics.

 

Energy consumption per employee decreased by a further 8% at Vontobel. The transfer of computing capacity to one of the most modern data centres in Europe, as well as the purchase of energy-saving equipment, contributed to this reduction. Thanks to its transparent disclosure on climate risks, Vontobel was once again included in the Carbon Disclosure Leaders Index.

 

Vontobel’s Annual Report once again meets all the requirements – in terms of content and form – to achieve the Level B standard of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), an internationally recognized standard for sustainability reporting. The Sustainability Report is supplemented by the GRI Index, which provides detailed information on numerous other indicators.

 

Vontobel’s Sustainability Report 2013 and the GRI Index on the Sustainability Report 2013 can be downloaded from its website at: www.vontobel.com/sustainability

Contact

Media Relations:

Rebeca Garcia

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