World Bank halves water use, cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 7% in six years

The World Bank has reduced its global corporate environmental footprint over the past six years, the Bank said May 3, 2012 citing its Full Year 2011 Sustainability Review.

Since 2006, the World Bank’s Corporate Responsibility website revealed that it has cut greenhouse gas emissions from its US-based facilities by 7%, water usage by 54 %, and paper by 47%.

The Bank’s Corporate Responsibility website provides in-depth information about the organization’s sustainability practices. The website includes responses to sustainability indicators set by the Global Reporting Initiative.

Looking ahead, the Bank indicated it is working to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills through a communication campaign for staff, and further integrate sustainability into its corporate procurement.

“We are committed as an institution to taking every step possible to reduce our corporate environmental footprint. We have a great programme working to internalize this mission into our day-to-day operations. It’s making a difference but we recognize we have more work to do,” said Mary Barton-Dock, World Bank Environment Director.

The review also documented progress in the World Bank’s commitment to giving back to the communities in which it works.

World Bank staff and retirees donated more than $1.8 million to local community projects through the Community Connections Campaign with over 60% of staff participated in the Bank’s online pledging system, EGive.

By Ekow Quandzie