In the belief that cohesion and consistency are the pillars of successful strategic approach to environmental responsibility. HNB has initiated a two-pronged environmental responsibility ethics programme in 2009 knows as the HNB ‘Green Pledge’. This year, HNB renewed its Green Pledge, updating its sustainability policy to align with industry best practices. All staff, from the Head office to branch networks, committed to reducing paper usage, conserving energy, promoting sustainable commuting, and fostering a workplace culture of environmental stewardship.
And also, to ensure future readiness, we are adapting on the implementation of IFRS S1 (Sustainability-related risks and opportunities) and IFRS S2(Climate-related risks and opportunities).
In 2023, our total energy consumption from the National Grid was 11,994.2 MWh, and we achieved Carbon neutrality, with greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) totaling 9,025 tCO2e. HNB continues to enhance energy efficiency by increasing reliance on renewable energy. HNB became the first Bank in Sri Lanka to achieve fully Carbon neutrality for entirety of its operations, the Bank augmented its efforts by purchasing Carbon Credits from a wind energy project registered under the Clean Development Mechanism of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). A major milestone in this journey was earning the ISO 14064-1:2018 certification from the Sri Lanka Climate Fund, recognizing the Bank’s commitment to measuring, reporting, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Bank’s progress toward Carbon neutrality is fueled by a series of groundbreaking initiatives, exemplifying the power of innovative thinking and sustainable practices.
Over a five-year period starting in 2018, the Bank restored 2.5 acres of degraded forest land in the Kanneliya Forest. This project was carried out with technical assistance from IUCN and the Forest Department, while continuing the reforestation initiative in partnership with Bio diversity Sri Lanka. A key aim is to establish a biodiversity credit accrual system for Sri Lanka through reforestation.
In line with our dedication to social and environmental goals, and in support of the national strategic plan to plant three million Jackfruit trees, HNB celebrated World Environment Day on June 5th by gifting Jackfruit and Mango saplings to our customers and employees. This initiativ e promotes environmental stewardship and encourages community involvement by inspiring them to plant and nurture these trees
Renewable energy has become a significant part of HNB’s strategy to reduce its environmental footprint. In 2023, the bank’s branch network generated 2,124 MWh of solar energy, meeting 15% of its energy requirements. This achievement is a result of the solarization project launched in 2016, which has led to the solarization of 95 branches across the country. HNB’s energy-saving initiatives are further supported by the bank’s broader business transformation journey, which began in 2020 and has contributed to reducing overall energy consumption.
