Environmental impacts of our operations
Garanti BBVA carries out numerous initiatives to systematically and effectively manage the environmental impacts resulting from its operations. The Bank continues to uphold its sustainable approach in all branches and buildings in the fight against climate change. In this regard, efforts focus on managing the environmental impact of operations and enhancing energy efficiency. Garanti BBVA takes actions to reduce its carbon emissions. Since 2020, the Bank has been purchasing carbon credits for the emissions resulting from its operations and supporting projects in voluntary carbon markets recognized by international organizations
Renewable Energy
The Garanti BBVA Eco-Efficiency Plan, published in 2021, aims to source at least 80% of annual energy consumption from renewable energy and reduce water consumption per square meter between 2021-2025.
Remote Eye System
In May 2021, Garanti BBVA implemented the Remote Eye System, which monitors infrastructure and controls electricity consumption to ensure energy savings. As of 2024, the system has been installed in 313 locations, including new and renovated branches, effectively reducing electricity consumption across Bank locations.
Green Buildings Garanti BBVA, a leader in introducing and implementing sustainable banking in Türkiye with many pioneering practices, has been awarded the LEED certification, one of the green building rating systems developed by U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), for its buildings. The headquarter building in Zincirlikuyu and Sivas Customer Communication Center has achieved LEED Platinum certification, while the Kızılay service building has also been certified LEED Platinum in the New Buildings category. Additionally, the Pendik Technology Campus, and Karşıyaka İzmir Buildings have been awarded LEED Gold Certifications.
ISO 14001 Environmental Management System
To control and systematically manage the environmental impact of its operations, Garanti BBVA has been certified under the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System since 2012. Since 2015, the system has been expanded to cover all branches and buildings. This system is also supported by a comprehensive Environmental Policy and a mandatory "ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Training" assigned to all employees to enhance awareness among all stakeholders.
In 2024, third-party audits were successfully completed, ensuring the continuity of the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification.
Target: Ensuring the continuity of the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification in branches and buildings.
ISO 50001 Energy Management System Certification Process
To manage and improve its energy performance, and use resources efficiently, Garanti BBVA obtained the ISO 50001 Energy Management System certification in 2023 for its Zincirlikuyu Headquarters, Pendik Campus, and Güneşli Service Building. In 2024, third-party audits were successfully completed, ensuring the continuity of the certification. Through this system, the Bank aims to reduce its environmental impact and carbon footprint, lower energy-related costs, and optimize resource usage. Additionally, the Energy Policy established within this framework is shared with all stakeholders.
To enhance employee awareness, mandatory training on the ISO 50001 Energy Management System is provided through the Campus platform for employees in certified buildings, while it remains optional for employees in other locations.
Target: To ensure the continuity of the ISO 50001 Energy Management System certificate in our buildings where the system is installed.
ISO 14046 Water Footprint Verification Certificate and Declaration
As part of the Eco-Efficiency Plan’s water consumption reduction targets, Garanti BBVA certified its 2022 water consumption for its branches and buildings under the internationally recognized ISO 14046 Water Footprint Standard for the first time in 2023.
In 2024, the Bank's 2023 water consumption data for its branches and buildings completed third-party audit, ensuring the continuity of certification and validation.
Target: Ensuring the ISO 14046 Water Footprint Declaration is issued and its certification is maintained for branches and buildings.
Solar Energy Projects
Garanti BBVA supports Türkiye’s fight against climate crisis through its renewable energy initiatives and has launched numerous projects to increase the share of renewable energy in its total energy consumption.
With solar power plants (SPPs) with an installed capacity of 300 kW at Pendik Campus and Güneşli Service Building, the Bank is increasing its renewable energy share while also reducing its carbon footprint.
Previously commissioned solar power systems on the rooftops of Akdeniz Branch, Sivas Customer Communication Center, and Bodrum Branch had a total installed capacity of 90 kW. With the commissioning of the SPPs at Pendik Campus and Güneşli Service Building, the total installed capacity has now approached 400 kW. The Denizli Service Building and Eski Sanayi Branch SPP projects, completed in 2024 and currently undergoing official approval processes, are planned to be operational by the first quarter of 2025.
Additionally, solar panels have been installed on 114 ATM rooftops. Through these installations, approximately 40% of the monthly energy consumption of an ATM (around 150 kWh) is now powered by solar energy.
Energy Efficiency and General Operations
Garanti BBVA is committed to long-term renewable energy use and reducing energy consumption and environmental impact in its business processes
- LED lighting systems have been implemented in all branches and ATMs to improve energy efficiency.
- New-generation air conditioning systems, which are less harmful to the ozone layer, consume less energy and have an A+ energy efficiency rating, have been introduced across branches, reducing environmental impact.
- Time-controlled interior lighting has been implemented in branches, ensuring that advertisement lighting in 593 branches is turned off after 1:00 AM.
- Heat recovery systems are used in all applicable branches to improve air quality while reducing energy consumption.
- 90% of branches have been equipped with timers, limiting the operating hours of certain lighting systems without the need for remote control.
- The temperature settings for eligible air conditioning units have been standardized between 21-25°C, preventing excessive energy consumption while maintaining optimal conditions.
- Water purification systems have been installed in all branches and service buildings as part of Garanti BBVA’s sustainability strategy. In addition to our desire to leave less plastic waste in the world we live in, our main goal with this practice is to ensure that we have access to healthier drinking.
- The use of single-use paper cups has been eliminated in the Zincirlikuyu Headquarters and Çiftçi Tower buildings.
- In Zincirlikuyu Headquarters’ top management offices and meeting rooms, bottled water use has been replaced with glass pitchers.
Earth Hour
As a part of WWF's Earth Hour campaign which is carried out since 2007, Garanti BBVA turned off the lights in eight Bank buildings for one hour on March 23, emphasizing that “stopping the climate crisis is possible together”. The Bank also encouraged individual participation by informing all employees about the initiative.
Employee Awareness
In 2024, Garanti BBVA launched Sustainable Challenges all its locations to integrate sustainability into BBVA’s corporate culture and increase employee engagement in sustainability initiatives:
- During Energy Efficiency Week, celebrated annually in the second week of January, ambient temperatures were reduced by 2°C in Zincirlikuyu Headquarters, Pendik Campus, and Çiftçi Tower buildings on January 11. A total of 2,558 employees participated in this awareness initiative.
- On September 24, approximately 120 employees walked for a sustainable and healthy future at the Pendik Campus, promoting both healthy living and sustainability awareness.
- During the 46th Istanbul Marathon, Garanti BBVA, as the founding and permanent supporter of the Teachers Academy Foundation (ÖRAV), participated with 100 employees running for charity.
- As part of Values Day, celebrated annually by all Bank employees, a Sustainability Quiz was organized. The 110 fastest and most accurate participants won various sustainable gifts.
- During World Environment Day, celebrated as part of Volunteering Month, a Bank-wide recycling awareness campaign was launched. Employees who collected the most waste batteries received gift kits.