The results have been published in the company’s latest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report. According to the company, the reason behind the increase is a decrease in the number of full time employees (FTE).

FTEs decreased by 9% during 2012 and “since the energy target is expressed as energy consumption per FTE the kwh/FTE is less than 1%”.

However, compared to 2008 levels the company reported a 9.1% reduction in total energy consumption (MWh). But the company stated that it was “behind schedule” on three out of four of its environmental indicators.

Travel per FTE was 11.4% above 2008 level but recorded positive progress in 2012, with 24,562 fewer flights (16.7%) compared to 2011.

Total paper consumption decreased by only 6.3% since 2008 and due to fewer FTEs, consumption per FTE has increased by 2.6% in that period. There is a 10.2% increase in kg/FTE in 2012 from 2011.

The only area Nordea reported that it is ahead of schedule in meeting 2016 targets is customer paper, with 1,367 tonnes of paper (42%) less than in 2008 and a 45.8% decrease in grams of paper per customer. It also recorded a 14.9% reduction per customer from 2011 to 2012.

Speaking to edie, programme manager for Nordea’s EcoFootprint programme, Tone Lauritzen, said: “The reason we are behind schedule for our energy target is that although we have reduced our energy consumption we have also reduced the number of full time employees (FTEs) and we measure in energy consumption per FTE”.

In regards to our air travel target, the travel activity in Nordea increased slightly in 2009 and significantly in 2010.

“In 2011 we saw a slight decrease in travel and in 2012 a dramatic drop. We know that the decrease in the last two years is due to the company-wide focus on virtual meetings. All employees are able to hold virtual internal meetings on their pcs and in head office buildings we have facilities for video meetings, frequently used by our executive management,” added Lauritzen.

Regarding internal paper usage, all Nordic offices and branches installed new printers in late 2012 and early 2013.

A new print management system is about to be implemented, which will provide statistics on print volumes per cost centre number.

“We can then see who produces the large print volumes and start working to reduce those. We will also get follow-me print, which will reduce print volumes,” said Lauritzen.

Leigh Stringer

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe