HDFC Bank, India’s biggest private sector, hopes hope to achieve a 10% reduction in our Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity by FY 2021-22.
“Our board-governed environmental policy serves as a framework to understand and manage our environmental risks, impacts and opportunities.”, Bank informed in its Annual Report 2018-19.
Bank disposed about 220 tonnes of e-waste through its authorised recyclers in FY 18-19.
“We measure and disclose our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with full transparency. We use solar energy and look to install energy efficient fixtures as much as possible in our premises. We do this with an intention to progressively reduce our carbon footprint.”, report said.
“For our environmental initiatives, we are keen to explore how our work can address various environmental challenges and incorporate technologies and processes that don’t harm, but rather add value to the quality of the environment around us.”, Bank said.
Bank’s Pune, Bhubaneswar, and Noida offices rely on solar panels to supplement grid power. It has also opted for automated server and desktop shutdown systems that reduce unnecessary energy consumption. And two of its largest office buildings, located in Mumbai and Bhubaneswar, have been LEED certified for their energy efficient designs.
To help delineate direct and indirect emission sources, improve transparency, and provide utility for different types of organizations and different types of climate policies and business goals, three “scopes” (scope 1, scope 2, and scope 3) are defined for GHG accounting and reporting purposes.
Scope 1: Direct GHG Emissions
Direct GHG emissions occur from sources that are owned or controlled by the company, for example, emissions from combustion in owned or controlled boilers, furnaces, vehicles, etc.; emissions from chemical production in owned or controlled process equipment. Direct CO2 emissions from the combustion of biomass shall not be included in scope 1 but reported separately. GHG emissions not covered by the Kyoto Protocol, e.g. CFCs, NOx, etc. shall not be included in scope 1 but may be reported separately.
Scope 2: Electricity Indirect GHG Emissions
Scope 2 accounts for GHG emissions from the generation of purchased electricity consumed by a company. Purchased electricity is defined as electricity that is purchased or otherwise brought into the organizational boundary of the company. Scope 2 emissions physically occur at the facility where electricity is generated.
