Operational Optimization

Operational environmental management focuses primarily on ensuring the quality of the workplace and on reducing emissions resulting from energy consumption and operations. Energy efficiency, electricity from renewable sources and recycling are key issues in this context.

Energy consumption is by far the largest direct cause of greenhouse gas emissions (environmental impacts) at Credit Suisse. Operational optimization is therefore an important component of our environmental strategy. Energy efficiency measures make a major contribution towards improving our environmental performance and are also a vital part of our efforts to address the problem of climate change. For this reason, we consistently use materials with high levels of insulation, energy-saving construction techniques and energy-efficient IT technology when renovating premises or constructing new buildings.

Contractual energy targets generate a sustained increase in efficiency

A key goal in the improvement of operational environmental performance is to reduce the consumption of electricity and heat and to achieve a sustained increase in the energy efficiency of operational premises. Annual targets relating to energy efficiency have therefore been contractually defined by Credit Suisse and its main partners in the area of technical maintenance. Using newly developed software that systematically records, documents and analyses the consumption of energy and resources, it is possible to specify individual energy efficiency targets, to actively monitor efficiency trends and to take prompt action where necessary. This enables premises with significant potential to be clearly identified and allows effective optimization measures to be initiated rapidly and realized successfully in conjunction with partners. The new tool also facilitates the standardized reporting of energy consumption data, the corresponding costs and greenhouse gas emissions for all Credit Suisse premises globally. The measures that were successfully implemented in 2007 relate primarily to air conditioning, heating and lighting systems.

Recycling protects resources

Recycling remains a key topic: In Switzerland, Credit Suisse mainly uses FSC paper for photocopying; in 2007, the proportion of the paper made using recycled fiber rose to 35%. In London, 80% of our paper comes from a local ISO 14001 certified supplier and is produced using old paper collected within a 40-mile radius. In Singapore, three times less paper is used by employees since all photocopiers and printers were set to double-sided printing. Each individual measure is just a small step towards reducing our carbon footprint, but they all go a long way towards raising our employees' awareness of their responsibility regarding climate-relevant topics in their work.