Environmental
sustainability

We are not afraid of challenges. That is why we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint so that Komerční banka can declare itself carbon neutral in 2026. When measuring our carbon footprint for 2019, we found that our emissions per client were 23.0 kg CO2e. Year-on-year, we have reduced these emissions by 35% and for 2020, emissions per client were 15.2 kg CO2e. Reductions occurred in almost all of the 18 identified sources of emissions reported by Komerční banka. This is an important step on our path to carbon neutrality.

In the attached documents you will find the company's climate change policy and our commitments, which we will implement over time.

Carbon Footprint Management Standard V1 Certificate  (PDF, 139 kB)
Carbon Footprint Management Plan 2020 (632 kB, PDF)
Carbon Footprint Management 2020 - Scope List (62 kB, PDF)
Carbon Footprint Management Plan 2019 (1,3 MB, PDF)
Process map KB (49 kB, PDF)
Corporate Climate Change Policy (Czech Version only, 906 kB, PDF)

Since plastics and their consumption are a hot issue for us, we have joined the Enough of Plastics initiative declared by the Ministry of the Environment. As early as 2018, we discontinued the purchase of water in PET bottles, plastic cups or disposable dishes in our internal procurement system. Thus, we spare our planet more than 70,000 PET bottles and 100,000 plastic cups every year. We have also equipped our kitchenettes with soda bars and additional cutlery and crockery.

We are serious about plastic waste reduction and have therefore made new payment cards of recycled plastics. 

We have developed what to date is the most environmentally-friendly payment card; more than 85% of it is made of recycled materials. Each such card spares the planet 7g of CO2 and no useless disposable plastics are produced because of this card. We are thus helping to lessen the carbon footprint and contributing to waste reductions.

As part of the Economic Olympiad we asked Czech students about the particular area on which they think the current global society should focus most, and improve it. The answer was unequivocal. More than 55% of those young people cited the environment as the most important area. It is therefore not by chance that as early as January 2021, we will provide the new ‘green’ card of recycled plastic to students together with their G2 student account.

The card attracts attention by its composition, atypical ‘portrait’ design, and personalisation on the rear side. 

We have been supporting the volunteer event Let's Clean Up the Czech Republic as a main partner for several years. Our employees also volunteer to clean up selected locations. In 2019, for example, 250 of our employees helped clean up litter at more than 20 locations across the Czech Republic. Even the unfavourable conditions in 2020 did not deter our employees, and almost a hundred of them joined clean-up events once again.

In recent years, we have been reducing the amount of generated waste by setting up new waste reduction rules at Komerční banka. We care about how much waste we produce and where it ends up. Therefore, a basic waste sorting system has been introduced at all (even the smallest) branches.

In 2019, we launched the Enectiva project, which compares energy consumption data with the technical parameters of buildings, such as building usage, number of workers, climatic conditions, etc. The software evaluates the data and the result is the values we should be achieving. On the basis of these evaluations, we carry out detailed inspections at locations with above-limit energy consumption.

In addition, in line with our commitment to achieve carbon neutrality, we are preparing for a gradual transition to green energy from 2021 and will gradually increase our green energy purchases.

Our two office buildings in Praha 5 - Stodůlky obtained energy certificates  BREEAM and LEED, which confirm their low energy consumption from a comprehensive perspective: their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, their impact on pollution, their waste disposal, their land management, etc.

KB office building in Stodůlky awarded LEED Gold and BREEAM certificate

In some of our branches we have installed LED lighting which brings financial and energy savings. 

We have enlarged our vehicle fleet by seven electric vehicles, thereby contributing to CO₂ emission reductions. We have currently recorded a year-on-year saving of 2%.

We drive Nissan Leaf electric vehicles, respecting the future

We opened our first branch in Dejvice, Prague, according to a new concept that supports digital, paperless communication with clients and client self-service or assisted self-service. The new concept is also accompanied by a new service model, which we are gradually introducing into the distribution network. The way of working with the client adapts as the needs and habits of our clients change. Clients are used to dealing with a lot of things online and the banker is increasingly profiling himself as an advisor and financial coach. This is also reflected in the division of the branch space. 

At the Dejvice branch, we also emphasized sustainability aspects, such as lighting of the space, branch furnishings and air purification. For the floors we used a carpet made of recycled nylon, while the ceiling consists of acoustic slats made from recyclable PET bottles.

Our supplier relationships are based on lawful, effective, fair, and honest conduct. We also expect our trade partners to follow all statutory and ethical rules, including environmental protection and fight against corruption, in addition to honouring their contractual obligations. We only establish commercial relationships with suppliers who have a good reputation, who apply solely lawful practices in their business, and whose funds come from legitimate sources. By entering into a contract, suppliers declare their respect for the obligations and commitments set out in the Responsible Purchasing Charter, the Group’s Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct against Corruption and Abuse of Public Office. These documents are published on Suppliers.

We take into account respect for environmental and social principles when managing client funds. Thus, we are knowingly helping to minimize the negative impacts on the environment and society. We disclose all commitments in this area here.