Carbon

2012 results

ANZ’s greenhouse gas emissions for 2012 were 314,000 tonnes CO2-e. Australia and NZ operations account for nearly 80% of ANZ’s total carbon emissions and, as such, have been the focus of emission reduction targets to-date.

ANZ’s carbon emissions primarily result from the energy used in our buildings (offices, retail branches and data centres) representing 75% of our carbon emissions, and travel, that accounts for a further 15%. As the single largest component of ANZ's carbon footprint, energy usage is the major focus of ANZ’s emission reduction strategy.

Figure 1: GHG Emissions by Source

We are reducing our carbon footprint from energy in two ways: by minimising the amount of energy we use and by generating electricity from lower carbon intensive sources (such as solar, wind and natural gas fired tri-generation).

• Find out more about our energy reduction initiatives.

The second-largest contributor to our greenhouse gas emissions is travel. We are encouraging our people to reduce their non business-critical air travel, supported through the deployment of high quality telepresence technology. In addition, we are replacing our car fleet with more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Smarter Use of Transport tab:

As ANZ continues with its super-regional strategy and we expand across Asia Pacific, we are working to reduce our reliance on air travel by using leading edge technology such as high quality telepresence video conferencing. In 2012 we reduced our air travel emissions by approximately one quarter through minimising non-customer related travel, coupled with the continued roll-out of virtual communication technology, with over 50 tele-presence video-conferencing units across five countries. This reduction achieved associated cost savings of over $15 million. In addition, we are replacing our car fleet with more fuel-efficient vehicles.

ANZ’s Environmental Target for reducing global air travel

2014 Target (against 2011 performance)	2012 Performance
-10%	-25%

Figure 2: GHG Emissions from Air Travel

ANZ’s Environmental Targets for reducing greenhouse gases

Country	2014 Target (against 2011 performance)	2012 Performance
Australia	-12%	-6%
New Zealand	-5%	+6%

Initiatives to reduce GHG emissions across ANZ

In our own workplaces, we continually seek to identify, control and improve our environmental impacts.

Our Environmental Management System (EMS) provides a structured approach to assessing the operational impact of our physical footprint on the environment and helps set targets to improve our performance.

Following a successful pilot in Singapore, we continued to roll-out the EMS across our operations in Asia this year, with a focus on Cambodia and India.

The continued expansion of the EMS across Asia has included the extension of our online environmental reporting, which now captures data from over 30 countries, thereby improving our ability to manage our global environmental performance.

Reductions in GHG emissions across ANZ were primarily achieved through operational improvements in the management of our premises, as well as reduce global air travel. Premises improvements included:

• Commercial Offices: The commissioning of a tri-generation plant at ANZ's headquarters in Melbourne at the start of 2012 represented a significant milestone in our efforts to reduce emissions from our premises. The ANZ Centre is now certified as a world-leading 6 star GreenStar building under the Green Building Council of Australia's GreenStar rating system. Further reductions in emissions were achieved from energy efficiency improvements made to building services across ANZ commercial sites in New Zealand, Australia, Cambodia and Singapore.
• Retail branch network: ANZ also began a major retail refurbishment strategy during 2012 with over 40 retail sites upgraded. This strategy is expected to achieve reductions in energy use through installation of lighting that is more efficient and the minimization of non-critical after hours energy consumption.
• Data Centres: The retirement of redundant equipment at ANZ’s Australian data centres in 2012 is also expected to achieve estimated energy cost savings of around $0.4m per year. Assessment of group-wide Data Centre opportunities will continue in 2013.

Further implementation of our EMS across our global business in 2013 will enable us to establish a group-wide baseline for our energy use and associated GHG emissions with improved granularity to set targets for global reductions going forward.

Carbon Neutrality

ANZ has maintained its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality for the third consecutive year in 2012. Whilst we are not a significant emitter of greenhouse gases, we have an opportunity to demonstrate leadership through measuring, reducing and offsetting our carbon footprint. Low Carbon Australia has certified ANZ's Australian operations as carbon neutral under the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS).

2011 results

Australia

Despite strong gains in our environmental performance, we have faced challenges in reducing our absolute carbon emissions in Australia. ANZ’s regional business growth, including a number of acquisitions, has led to an increase in the absolute carbon emissions associated with energy used and air travel.

Despite this growth, ANZ’s greenhouse gas intensity (measured in tonnes of CO₂-e per Full Time Equivalent staff member) remained relatively static, from 10.16 tonnes per FTE in 2009 to 10.08 tonnes in 2011.  

New Zealand

In New Zealand, absolute greenhouse gas emissions have reduced by 13% since 2009, well in excess of our 2.5% target. This has been achieved by improving our energy efficiency, reducing road travel, minimising the use of paper, less reliance on natural gas, and an increasing use of renewable energy.

Over the same period, ANZ’s greenhouse gas intensity (measured in tonnes of  CO₂-e  per Full Time Equivalent staff member) has reduced from 2.33 tonnes CO₂-e in 2009 to 2.02 tonnes in 2011 (-13%).

ANZ has maintained carbon neutrality across our global business since 2010. Our commitment is consistent with the Australian Government's National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS), a voluntary framework that provides accreditation for companies to become carbon neutral.

Low Carbon Australia has certified ANZ's Australian operations as carbon neutral under the NCOS. Simultaneously, we have offset our carbon emissions from our operations outside of Australia consistent with the NCOS.

In keeping with ANZ’s super-regional strategy, our offset projects are primarily based in developing countries where we have a growing presence, such as India, China and Indonesia.

In 2011, ANZ purchased Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) offsets generated from geothermal, wind and biomass residue power projects in Indonesia, China and India.

2010 results

Please refer to our Greenhouse Gas emissions inventory for a complete overview of what we include in our Greenhouse Gas emissions reporting.

Australia

Greenhouse Gas emissions across Australia rose this year to 11.00 tonnes per FTE, up from 10.08 in FY09 (+9.1%).

New Zealand

Greenhouse Gas emissions across New Zealand rose this year to 2.76 tonnes per FTE, up from 2.60 in FY09 (+6.2%).

Carbon Neutrality

We have delivered on our commitment to achieve carbon neutrality across our business.

Our commitment is consistent with the Australian Government's National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS), a voluntary framework that provides accreditation for companies to become carbon neutral.

The Australian Carbon Trust has certified ANZ's Australian operations as carbon neutral under the NCOS. Simultaneously, we have offset our carbon emissions from our operations outside of Australia using the NCOS framework.

Consistent with ANZ’s super regional strategy, our offset projects are primarily based in developing countries where we have a presence such as India, China, Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia.

2009 results

While Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions in Australia reduced overall by 1,080 tonnes, they increased per FTE from 8.74 to 8.79 tonnes, up 0.6%.

Australia

Changes in the way air travel emissions are measured by the World Resources Institute has resulted in higher total emissions output, despite a reduction in kilometres travelled, that would have otherwise been lower per FTE.

Our New Zealand operations saw a reduction from 2.17 tonnes of GHG emissions per FTE to 2.12, down 2%, and an overall decrease of 1,454 tonnes.

New Zealand

Greenhouse Gas Emissions reduced by 15% in India in 2009.

The future

Our new two year goal for GHG emission reductions is 6% in Australia and 2% in New Zealand.

We continue to work towards our carbon neutral commitment.

2008 results

ANZ continues to make progress in achieving reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions per FTE for across both Australian and New Zealand businesses.

In Australia ANZ has achieved a 5% reduction per FTE for the year 2008. This is a reflective of the commitment to our carbon reduction strategy in line with our Carbon Neutral goal. This equates to an actual overall reduction of 489 tonnes in comparison to the previous year. Had we maintained our greenhouse gas per FTE at 2007 intensity levels ANZ would have generated an additional 9,824 tonnes of carbon.

In New Zealand the two year carbon reduction target was achieved with a 7% reduction per FTE for the period ending September 2008.

The future

We are continuing to work towards our goal of achieving carbon neutrality across the entire Australian and New Zealand business by December 2009.