We contribute to the preservation of natural resources through energy efficiency, materials reduction and reuse projects. We also participate in volunteer and environmental education programs, which seek to add a greater number of people to the effort for the conservation of our environment.
Some of our institutions have environment committees formed by the senior management and operational staff. Their objective is to promote a culture of environmental care among the employees, encourage participation in volunteer programs, coordinate actions for the reduction of environmental impact in operations and services and publicize the results among the different audiences.
We have implemented several initiatives to reduce energy consumption in our corporate, regional and branch offices, including:
• Rational energy use programs
• Clean energy sources
• Replacement of canopies and unipolar generator
• LEED Certificate Offices
• Electrical infrastructure renovation project
• Solar park
• Photovoltaic park
• Internal savings awareness campaigns
• The "Green Hour Mexico' initiative to achieve greater energy savings by turning off the lights in main buildings throughout the country for two hours once a month.
• The replacement of halogen by LED luminaires
• Automated energy systems
• The use of solar panels in some branches
• Air-conditioning equipment replacement project
• Photovoltaic systems
• Reprogramming of lighting circuits
• The installation of timers and the adjustment of operating times of air conditioning equipment.
• Magnetic induction lighting systems in parking lots in order to reduce energy consumption
• Automatic air conditioning switch off
• LEED Buildings
• Replacement with efficient and low-consumption lighting technology
• Switching off of exterior advertisements and signs
• Relocation of lights and the installment of presence sensors and energy saving lighting
Similarly we have initiatives and campaigns to save paper, supplies and other materials:
• The "What is your role? program
• Decrease in size of the tickets in some ATMS.
• Change of the report printing format in branches
• Creation of a control panel to monitor the consumption and reduction of sheets of paper
• Reduction in the printing of reports in branches
• Reduction in the number of printers
• Two-sided printing of internal material
• Paper recycling campaigns
• Single bank slips to save paper
• Digitization of customers' original documents
• Introduction of debit cards made from recycled material • The destruction of paper generated in offices to send it for recycling in order to avoid its disposal in landfill sites • The collection of alkaline batteries • Optimization of statements of account packages • Forms printed on recycled and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) paper. • Cups made from recycled material • 100% recyclable office materials
• The installation of flow limiters and plates in WCs at national level
• The removal of water intakes in parking lots of buildings in Mexico City and the Metropolitan Area
• The installation of water-saving faucets
• The installation of water treatment plants to reuse 100% in WCs, the irrigation of green areas and cooling towers
• The installation of dual-flush toilets and dry urinals
• The use of flow meters in the main intakes to allow the early identification of leaks
• Electronic flow meters
• Equipment with sensors and/or fixed flows
• The review of metered consumption with local water operators
• Air-conditioning systems that use treated water
• Regulation of the in water pressure
• Water-saving devices on hand washing basins
• The publication of monthly circulars with water care tips
In support of organizations that implement environmental projects, we carry out reforestation, green area, beach cleaning activities and participate in environmental education workshops and courses. Some of the activities completed in 2013 are:
Water Factories
In 2003, work began on the reforestation in the Izta-Popo and the Nevado de Toluca national parks to restore the forest "coverage", contain the erosion and restore fertility, the deposit of water and the recharging of aquifers. In 2013, we continued to support the Water Factory in this park.
'Forest' Program
This is an initiative through which a reforestation model was adopted that includes the restoration of ten hectares per year to reach a total of 50 by the end of 2018.
In 2013, 850 staff members and their families took part in the reforestation campaign day. 10,000 pine trees were planted in an area of 50 hectares of the Santo Tomás Ajusco Park.
Caring For Your Environment
The overall objective of this program is to train leaders who are capable of linking our operations with sustainable issues, motivating volunteer work in the communities where we operate, and set an example of commitment to the company, our environment and our people, as well as promoting strategic, sustainable and on-going development. More than 1,870 volunteers, among them employees, friends and families have participated in the comprehensive cleaning of the Dolores Sump in the Chapultepec Forest, from where more than 30% of Mexico City's water supply is distributed.
30 employees and family members were certified as environmental leaders and 17 more were upgraded, thereby achieving an increase in the number of 126 certified environmental leaders from 2010 to 2013.
This internal program seeks to raise awareness among employees of topics such as the separation of waste, the correct disposal of electronic equipment, the recycling of toner and batteries, and participation in reforestation programs, all of which are actions that contribute to a better coexistence with the environment.
