SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION CRR 2008
Corporate Responsibility Report 2008
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GREEN IT IN BBVA
BBVA is conscious of the large amount of energy used in different areas of technology. The Technology &
Operations area has implemented best practice guidelines to maximise eco-efficiency. Key initiatives under
the Global Eco-efficiency Plan (2008-2012) include:
1. Separation and recycling of IT equipment and donation to local or global NGOs
2. Reduction in paper consumption per employee
3. Greater use of videoconferences, telepresence, VoIP, telephony, etc. with subsequent reduction in travel.
4. Virtualization of the infrastructure through:
a. Consolidation of servers by an average ratio of 5:1
b. New infrastructures in host computers, leading to a saving of 34.84 MWh in 2008, with 12.1 t of CO 2
emissions avoided.
CLIMATE CHANGE: RISK AND OPPORTUNITY
OFFSETTING OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLICATION OF
THE BBVA 2008 ANNUAL REPORTS
As part of its commitment to combat climate change and its drive for accountability in this area, BBVA
has launched a series of measures to minimise the CO 2 emissions associated with publication of its
annual reports. The Group has also gone further, offsetting any emissions associated with unavoidable
publication of the BBVA Group's Annual Corporate Responsibility Report and Financial Report for
2008.
The measures taken include using only FSC paper. FSC certification accredits that the paper used
comes from sustainably managed forests, employing practices that combat deforestation with trees
that absorb optimum quantities of CO 2 . Where possible, the reports are distributed in electronic
format, with the smallest possible number of print copies. This has helped reduce CO 2
emissions.
In addition, BBVA has decided to offset the 26.345 tonnes of CO 2 associated with the print run of the
annual reports through the "Organic Composting for Fair Trade
in Mexico" project, which forms part of the Cero CO 2 climate
custody initiative. The project helps reduce emissions of
methane, a gas with a greenhouse potential 21 times greater
than CO 2 , by creating organic compost from arable and
livestock waste, municipal organic waste, seaweed and aquatic
plants from the eutrophication of a local lake. The compost is
used to enrich soils in the area, thus preventing the need for
chemical fertilisers and reducing costs for farmers. The project
forms part of a fair trade programme, and contributes to the
development of the local economy by creating 14 direct jobs,
and 60 indirect ones in Chapalla, Patzcuaro and Uruapan (Mexico).
This initiative not only demonstrates BBVA’s desire to combat climate change by
offsetting the emissions resulting from publication of its reports, but also reflects its
commitment to fighting poverty, since the project will help improve the living
conditions of people from developing countries, who stand to suffer most from the
consequences of global warming.
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