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Environmental Management System and Sustainability Efforts

Albaraka Türk is aware that the activities, products and services it performs with the vision of “Being the Best Participation Bank in the World” interact with the environment and aims to minimize the effects of this interaction on climate change. Albaraka Türk, a pioneer in interest-free banking, aims to be one of the leading participants in the sector by also taking a pioneering role in its fight against climate change.

For Albaraka Türk, sustainability is an important issue supported by corporate culture and vision. In this context, Albaraka Türk carries out projects such as Green Building Project (LEED EBOM), Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and Zero Waste Project in line with sustainability goals..

Click to access Albaraka Türk Environmental Policy

Our Sustainability Projects

1. İstanbul Stock Exchange (BIST) Sustainability Index

The aim of BIST Sustainability Index is to create an index that includes the companies publicly quoted and have high corporate sustainability performances; and to increase the understanding, knowledge and practice of sustainability among companies in Turkey and especially in Istanbul Stock Exchange.

In this context, Borsa İstanbul companies are valued according to international sustainability criteria and only publicly available information is used in valuation

Albaraka Türk was among the companies subject to BIST Sustainability Index valuation in 2019 and 2020, and as a result of the valuations, the Bank became the first participation bank to be included in the index for 2 consecutive years. Our bank will also be subject to valuation in 2021.

2. Carbon Disclosure Project

Since 2017, Albaraka Türk has voluntarily answered the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Climate Change and Water Security surveys which is considered as the most comprehensive and prestigious environmental project in the world and aims to collect and share information that will enable companies, investors and governments to take action against the threat of climate change.

Albaraka Türk's CDP 2020 Climate Change grade was announced as A- and Water Security grade as B-, and our Bank was awarded the CDP 2020 Climate Leadership.

Provided data for CDP surveys are verified by 3rd party companies. Albaraka Türk’s answers of the climate change and water security questionnaires and the verification report regarding these answers for the relevant reporting periods are below.

Also, click here to access CDP Turkey Local Reports.

In 2019, within the scope of Carbon Disclosure Project, detailed analyses were performed in the fields of

  • Paper Consumption Calculations
  • Fuel Consumption Information
  • Aircraft Utilization Mileage
  • Annual Reports of our Bank
  • Annual Financial Statements of our Bank
  • Investor Presentations
  • Corporate Risk Management Reports
  • Project Finance and Corporate Finance Portfolio Information (Summary of Loans for Energy and Infrastructure Projects)
  • Generator Fuel Information (diesel/lt)
  • Electricity Consumption (kwh) Information
  • Air Conditioning Refrigerant Usage Data (Kg)
  • Heating Data (Fueloil, Coal etc.)

The details of the studies conducted are as follows:

In addition to these, a separate section was allocated to our Bank in CDP Turkey 2018 Climate Change and Water Report and our scenario analysis was shared and the strong link between banking strategy and energy sector was mentioned.

Albaraka Türk's scenario analysis is based on the Sustainable Development Scenario of International Energy Agency (IEA). There is a strong link between the banking strategy and investment in the energy sector. Our Bank strongly supports its commitments to satisfy the criteria as set out by Paris Agreement.

Albaraka Türk's scenario analysis has three dimensions:

  • The amount of refrigerant in the equipment used in our building is within GWP and ODP values.
  • Thanks to the solar film used on the exterior of our building, air conditioners are operated less and less greenhouse gas is released.
  • The energy efficiency is at the forefront in our building and the isolation of our building is above the standards.
  • The operating system of the heating and cooling systems has been changed and approximately 20% energy saving has been achieved.
  • The rate of fresh air supplied into the building has been kept above international level.
  • The air handling units that provide fresh air are monitored through the automation system and the rate of fresh air delivered to our building is kept under control constantly.
  • Smoking cigarettes is prevented at points where there is a risk of cigarette smoke entering the building.
  • By using high efficiency filters in air handling units, the dirty air in the outdoor environment is cleaned from dust, dirt and toxic gases and then allowed to enter our building.
  • The time settings of the lighting sensors in our offices have been rearranged and energy savings of approximately 6% has been achieved.
  • The working system of the garden lighting has been changed and approximately 50% energy saving has been achieved.
  • Water saving apparatuses that provide the same effect with less water have been installed in our lavatory faucets in our building and a 20% reduction in water consumption has been achieved.
  • Water needs of green areas are met by drip irrigation system and sprinkler method and efficient use of water is ensured.
  • The treated artesian water is used for irrigation of green areas and washbasins in our building. Thanks to the Gray Water project, it is ensured that the wastewater used in the washbasins is treated and that is reused in the reservoirs.
  • Sustainable cleaning materials, cleaner, safer and healthier environmentally sensitive products are used in the cleaning of the office floors of our Headquarters building.
  • The machines of different brands and models at Branch and Headquarters Building were deactivated and instead, a new photocopy system consisting of machines providing central control was installed. Unnecessary and one-way printouts were prevented thanks to the new system. In addition, the wastepaper in our Bank has been delivered to the institutions authorized by the related municipality for recycling. Within this scope, annually;
    • 543 trees were prevented from being cut down.
    • An energy saving of 131,000 kWh was achieved.
    • 5.655 m³ of greenhouse gas is prevented from being released to the nature.
    • 895 m³ of water was saved.
    • 80 m³ of storage space was saved.
  • Paper wastes are sent for recycling to be revalued.
  • In order to prevent waste batteries from being released to the nature, the batteries are collected separately in our Headquarters building. In this context, approximately 50 kg of waste batteries are separated and delivered to TAP (Portable Battery Manufacturers), the official waste collection authority.
  • Plant species with low water consumption and suitable for the climatic conditions of our region were planted in the green areas of our Headquarters building.
  • Pesticides approved by the Ministry of Health General Directorate of Basic Health Services are used for sustainable cleaning of our Headquarters building and its environment.
  • High efficiency lighting fixtures are used in our building. Fluorescent light bulbs used in lighting fixtures are selected from low mercury models.
  • The design of our building is based on maximum utilization of daylight. It is aimed in this way to both reduce the energy used for lighting and to use the positive effects of daylight on those working in the interior spaces.
    • Clean Energy for All: The Bank aims at provision of sustainable and clean energy for everyone. Hence, the process for divestment from fossil fuels by 20 percent annually between 2020 and 2025 is an essential part of the scenario.
    • Innovative Investment: It is clear that new technologies will lead the way to a low carbon future. The Bank aims at financing the implementation of innovative technologies by new loan products and partnerships.
    • Assisting the Paris Agreement: Turkey has committed a reduction of GHGs by 2030 by 21 percent below BaU (Business As Usual) by presenting a roadmap of new policy implementation in the area of transportation, energy and urbanization. The Bank’s strategy is taking an active role in the accomplishment of this goal. The Bank developed three scenarios and estimated the resources that can be diverted to these three aspects under three scenarios: Ambitious, Semi-ambitious and Modest.

3. Green Building Project:

Albaraka Türk started a study in 2016 with the aim of documenting the sustainable efforts it has carried out, in particular, those in the Headquarters building. Within the scope of the study, carbon footprint, water and energy efficiency, environmental sensitivity of materials and resources used, internal environmental quality, innovation - regional priorities and sustainability contribution were examined in detail and our Headquarters building was awarded the Leed Green Building Certificate.

With this certificate, Turkey, Albaraka Türk Headquarters Building assumed the title of Turkey's first LEED GOLD certified Bank Headquarters Building in terms of environmental sensitivity.

4. Zero Waste Project

The works carried out in our Bank within the scope of Zero Waste Project launched by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization are as follows:

Prevention/Reduction:

  • Copiers have been reprogrammed to avoid unnecessary printouts that are sent to the printer and forgotten or resent to the printer, and duplex printing option has been set to default on devices.
  • Wastepaper is delivered to the companies assigned by the municipalities.
  • Water saving apparatuses that provide the same effect with less water by increasing the water pressure have been installed in our lavatory faucets in our Headquarters building.
  • Vehicle tracking system has been installed in branch marketing vehicles and vehicle usage is monitored in detail.
  • The exterior of Headquarters building has been covered with solar film. In this way, the sun rays coming into the building are prevented and the cooling systems are operated less.
  • In order to prevent waste batteries from being released to the nature, the batteries are collected separately in our Headquarters building.

    • Reuse:

  • The carton boxes used for the transportation of Headquarters building are used approximately 15 times and the carton boxes that have completed their economic life are delivered to the recycling facilities of the municipalities.
  • Periodical maintenance works of the tools, equipment and fixtures in our Bank are carried out regularly and in this way our equipment is used for a long time.
  • Artesian water and gray water are used in rest rooms, washbasins, pools and for garden irrigation and cleaning works, instead of mains water.

    • Purchase:

  • Environmentally sensitive products are preferred within the scope of our purchasing activities.
  • The scope of the Zero Waste Project will be expanded and efforts will continue in the coming period.
  • In the light of these projects, Albaraka Türk will continue its fight against climate change by carrying out all of its activities in its Headquarters and branches.
  • Within the framework of all these efforts, Albaraka Türk has spent approximately 1,000,000 TL for Environmental Management System and sustainability.