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Environmental & Social Sustainability Report
Environmental and social sustainability mission statement
ACLEDA Bank is committed to achieving strong, sustainable financial returns while respecting the environment and community within which we live. We subscribe to the concept of triple bottom line ('people, planet, profit') reporting and are constantly developing indicators for measuring and reporting on our performance and impacts on the society and the environment and to implement a reporting structure based on the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative.
The key elements of ACLEDA Bank's ESS mission are:
- To provide a framework of guidelines within which ACLEDA Bank can operate in a sustainable manner so that our impact on the environment, society and the community in which we operate is managed in a responsible way.
- To continue to introduce energy efficient systems into our buildings and to manage sensibly our energy usage wherever we operate.
- To honor the society in which we live and actively work to promote an inclusive culture, embracing not just shareholders and staff, customers, and business partners but respect for the individual within our community.
- To recognize that supporting the community is not just morally sound but good business as well - our 'good health' and prosperity are naturally interdependent.
Environment
ACLEDA Bank fully subscribes to international conventions which prohibit the provision of credit to, or otherwise support any activities which might harm the environment, be morally repugnant or jeopardize human rights. In particular the bank has in place policies which forbid involvement with exploitative forms of forced or child labor, trade in weapons and munitions, gambling, casinos, brothels, regulated wildlife or wildlife products and production or trade in radioactive materials or significant volumes of hazardous chemicals.
Environmental Performance Indicators
In order to establish baselines for the measurement of our efforts to reduce our environmental impact, we have introduced a tracking system for resource usage. The results are given under their respective headings below and will be used to benchmark our future performance.
Paper usage
In 2019, paper usage decreased by 3,04% per co-worker compared to 2018 due to saving and reducing paper usage by printing with double-sided documents. We also strengthened the use of electronic data storage and the sending of information by E-mail and by using the internet. Waste paper increased by 10,79% due to an increase in the use of training materials for new recruits. Additionally, we continually destroyed expired, old or no longer in use documents and unofficial papers, which were shredded and sold to recyclers.
Energy consumption
Electricity consumption per co-worker increased by 6,36% in 2019 because of an increase in the use of information technology devices to support the Bank’s operations and additional recruit training programs. Gasoline consumption decreased by 13,65% in part because Bank staff increased work-related contact with suppliers electronically instead of by face-to-face meetings. Diesel decreased by 5,08% through stringent management of vehicle usage, and vehicle air conditioners. Lubricant consumption also decreased by 14,77%.
Water
Water consumption increased, by 13,80% in 2018 compared to 2017 because some offices were moved and needed cleaning. Washing Bank vehicles on site also expanded.
Business travel
In 2019, the total distance traveled by car decreased by 2,70% and by motorcycle decreased 9,80% compared to 2018. Increased efficiencies were achieved by closely managing car usage, especially during trips to the district and provincial levels where Bank employees could travel together to maximize savings.
Social Sustainability
ACLEDA Bank Lao Ltd.'s corporate culture is built on respect for the society in which we operate and an inclusive approach to our stakeholders embracing not just shareholders and staff, customers and business partners but the community at large. In addition to the environmental programs mentioned above the bank observes a policy of equality in all our dealings with the public in general and customers and staff alike. Above all, ACLEDA Bank Lao Ltd. has practiced from the very beginning 'zero tolerance' of corruption both internally and externally and transgressions are dealt with summarily.
The following are key principles in ACLEDA Bank Lao Ltd.'s Corporate Social Responsibility policy:
Staff
- ACLEDA Bank Lao Ltd. is an 'equal opportunity' employer. Apart from those jobs which involve a higher physical risk (e.g. guards and messengers) appointment to all positions at every level is based entirely on merit regardless of gender or physical disability.
- ACLEDA Bank Lao Ltd. aims to be the most progressive employer in Laos providing medical, pension and other benefits. It provides comprehensive training both for new recruits as well as experienced staff.
- A high level committee under the chairmanship of the Chairman of the Board has been specifically tasked with the responsibility of setting and monitoring the Bank's moral and ethical standards and respect for human rights.
- In consultation with its staff the Bank has drawn up social policies covering i) Code of Conduct, ii) Human Resources Management, iii) Health & Safety, iv) External Relations, v) Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining. These are now published on Lotus Notes so that every member of the staff has free (and paperless) access to the most up-to-date versions.
Community
ACLEDA Bank Lao Ltd. recognises that playing our part as good citizens in the community in which we abide is vital to our mutual interests and prosperity. Major initiatives we are taking include:
- Developing and offering appropriate products and services carefully selected and developed for the particular needs of Lao society.
- Expanding outreach: opening up banking services to new communities in new locations by expanding our network in the provinces and extending banking services to mobilise savings. The roll-out of ATMs has enabled our customers to access their funds 24 hours a day/7 days a week. In June 2018 we launched 'ACLEDA ThanChai' — a FinTech Application running on Smart Phone, enabling customers to do banking transactions at anytime. — Which extends access to financial services in the Lao language as well as English to every village and commune in the Lao PDR.
Note: FTE (Full Time Equivalent): average number of full-time co-workers during the year.
