Our Approach to Minimizing Our Impact

Environment

Reducing Our Ecological Footprint

A brief update on the audit recommendations and implementations:

Lighting load was the largest electrical energy consumption with more than 31% of the total cost

The Bank has replaced conventional lighting with LED lighting
As for the branches, Led lighting and VRV systems are being employed in all new major renovations
All decorative lightning were removed from the management offices

Replacing old air conditioning chiller system with the VRV air conditioning system

The project was completed; old air conditioning system has been replaced by the VRV air conditioning system, thus reducing the Bank’s energy consumption in the HVAC area by 30% to 40% coupled with a drop in water consumption

Implementing a full energy management program with clear targets

The monitoring and targeting program has been completed for the VRV system

Increasing demand control: lighting, A/C, escalators, and ventilation

Lighting control was finished for the new Data Center area
Night consumption control was completed for parking lighting and ventilation

Retrofitting parking ventilation (work in progress)

Implementing renewable energy solutions (PV on roof and facade) (project under study)

Re-use

The re-use of waste is a priority. Computers that are broken or redundant are delivered to the Information and Communication Technology Department which examines their potential scope for re-use. Other computers not in need are donated to schools or to NGOs. Furniture that is in usable state is kept at the warehouse for servicing and sent to branches/departments when the need arises. In addition, furniture that is no longer needed is donated to institutions in need.

Recycling

Accumulated paper and plastic waste are being sent to recycling.

Reduce

Whether papers, plastics, electricity, or other resources, employees are entitled to manage their waste by reducing the consumption of resources.

Excavation of Waste

Excavation of waste and debris left over during branch openings or renewal is sent to disposal areas as designated by the municipality.

Internally, we launched several initiatives aimed at reducing our negative environmental impacts:

Digital banking is encouraged with around registered users of Fransabank internet banking and users in Fransabank mobile banking.
Intranet portal platform was adopted featuring digital signature/encryption, IP telephony mobility, and Skype for business. The advanced intranet portal implementation provides, in addition to a more a paperless environment, various benefits such as improved collaboration and communication, and better consolidation of information.
Shared printers and double-sided printing are installed across the Bank’s departments / divisions and branches as well as the local entities, with a more widespread use of certified paper for the Bank’s publications.
Recycling projects were initiated within the Bank’s Headquarters and branches. We have made considerable progress in reducing paper waste. In 2019, 65.2 tons of papers were recycled, attaining more than 729 tons since 2014. This accomplishment is a significant indicator of the changes in our corporate culture which is leaning towards an environment friendly workplace.
Obsolete and defective electronic devices are sent to Ecoserv, a non-profit organization focusing on recycling electronic waste. In 2019, an assortment of 1,078 obsolete electronic equipment were collected being the equivalent of 6.12 tons with a 100% rate of recycling.

Engaging Employees

Recycle Today for Better Tomorrows

In collaboration with arcenciel, Fransabank launched the Bouchons Roulants initiative in 2014, with the objective, to educate Fransabank’s employees on the importance of sorting and recycling to preserve the environment, and provide the bestowment of wheelchairs to a person with special needs.

Since 2014, Fransabank spurred hundreds of employees at its Beirut headquarters and Hamra main branch to collect the plastic bottles and caps, not just from their workplace, but also from their homes. With over 8.3 tons collected and sent for recycling, this initiative resulted in the acquisition of wheelchairs. Moreover, Fransabank’s management matched the number of wheelchairs donated through an equal contribution to employees’ efforts. A total of 6 wheelchairs were donated to people with special needs.

The Bank also decided to target its customers. Following the garbage crisis that Lebanon went through in 2016, and through our commitment to a greener environment, Fransabank reacted to the crisis by introducing an awareness campaign inciting its clients to embrace recycling habits. Accordingly, each branch received two color-coded bins, whereby clients could throw in the blue lid bin: papers, plastic bottles and cans, and a in the black lid bin all non-recyclable waste.

#LebanonClimateAct

Supporting national efforts to fight climate change, Fransabank joined the Lebanon Climate Act.

This pledge again demonstrates our ongoing engagement to climate action, and assurance to reduce our environmental and carbon footprint, increase low-carbon investments, deploy more clean energy, and build more sustainable businesses and communities.

Consequently, Fransabank has been recognized with a token of appreciation for its active engagement in supporting Lebanon’s overall reduction of carbon emissions and pollution, during the Lebanon Climate Act Business Knowledge Platform session that was held in July 2017.

Lebanese Water Stewardship

In 2018, we adopted the Lebanese Water Stewardship, in coordination with Lebanon Water Project, a USAID funded program. It aims to create awareness on the importance of water, water savings, development of water treatment projects, etc. Accordingly, we work on integrating water management criteria in our credit assessments, thus creating awareness among our corporate and SME clients.

Green Business Pledge

Being one of the first signatories to the Green Business Pledge launched by Info Pro, Fransabank was rewarded with a certificate of appreciation during the “Business Opportunities in Lebanon’ Conference: “Cutting-edge” Economy. The conference witnessed the creation of the ‘Lebanon Opportunities Green Business Club’ providing a forum in which all the signatories can exchange information and learn about sustainability practices, and whereby Fransabank shared its expertise in sustainable energy finance.

Protecting Lebanon Green Heritage

Fransabank continuously support the preservation of Lebanon green heritage; and when necessary contributes to the reforestation and greening process of threatened areas.

These initiatives not only cover the capital Beirut but extend to other cities and villages. Among our contributions, we list:

USD 1 million were donated to raise money to purchase planes and equipment to respond to firefighting emergencies.
The reforestation of many public gardens across Lebanon.
The creation of a new cedar forest in Bsharri planting 1,000 cedar trees in a 30,000 square meter area.
Financed a two-meter high iron fence and gates in Horsh Beirut.
Yearly support to Jouzour Loubnan, while employees planted more than 1,000 ‘Cedrus Libnani’ in Kfardebian.
The renovation of Bkassine Public Garden located in South Lebanon. Such endeavours are executed in various areas like Marjeyoun and Zahleh, amongst others.

Full Solar Power Functional Branch

According to a UNDP study, Lebanon enjoys an advantageous location regarding its sun exposure, with around 300 sunny days in a year and over 8- 9 hours of daily sunshine.