ICICI's Go Green initiatives saved 30,000 trees in 2009-10

April 19, 2010

New Delhi, Apr 15 (PTI) Paperless initiatives like e-statements and e-greetings helped ICICI Bank save 30,000 trees from being felled in 2009-10, besides cutting down spending on stationery by Rs 7.36 crore.

"At ICICI Bank, we recognise and contribute to the need to conserve national resources and explore clean technology. We collaborate with employees and customers alike to reduce the carbon footprint from banking," ICICI Bank managingdirector and CEO Chanda Kochhar said.

ICICI Group companies have saved around 30,000 trees and 16 crore litres of water through green initiatives, the bank said in a statement.

Through these internal and external initiatives, 1,754 tonnes of paper were saved, which translated into a saving of Rs 7.36 crore for the company as of February, 2010, it added.

Kochhar further said that ICICI Bank attempts to support other organisations in their endeavours to 'Go Green' by funding and managing green technology projects.

'Go Green’ is an organisation-wide initiative that aims to migrate to environment-friendly platforms for daily operations within the organisation, as well as beyond automated channels. The initiative aims to build awareness and fund alternate energy and environment projects, thereby preserving the environment.
 

ICICI Bank tried to reduce its footprint by providing customers alternate and non paper-based channels such as e-branches, e-statements, online banking and mobile banking, it said.

"An internal movement towards environment-friendly operations becomes necessary. Ideas are generated by employees through contests. Ideas included dateless diaries, visiting cards on recycled paper, sapling plantations and green walkathons," it said.

ICICI has partnered with the Indian government, World Bank and UNAID to support SME projects in the area of green research and clean technology. It is also working with the Indian Army on water management, energy conservation and alternative energy projects.

The bank has also partnered with TATA Power to raise awareness on energy conservation at schools through the TATA Power Club.

"For waste management, we have partnered with Jindal Urban Infrastructure Limited (to) sponsor an integrated MSW processing plant in Delhi, (besides) GMR Group and SELCO international’s WTE project in Ghaziabad," it said.

With a base of around 35,000 employees, ICICI Bank will increase its focus on clean technology in the current fiscal.

"We will achieve this through internal activities and processes and also exploring tie-ups with other green organisations," the bank said