When constructing new premises or renovating existing buildings, we focus on installing energy saving heating, air-conditioning and ventilation systems and on complying with strict energy standards such as the Swiss Minergie standard, or with international standards such as LEED. We also invest in energy-saving technology and IT infrastructures and make use of highly insulating materials. 2012  marked the completion of the largest building in Switzerland constructed according to the Minergie-P-ECO standard: our Uetlihof 2 administrative center in Zurich, providing over 2,000 workspaces. The P-ECO specification stipulates that buildings must have a compact design with a highly insulated facade, an efficient ventilation system and a very high proportion of natural daylight at workspaces. It also makes strict demands regarding the use of non-hazardous building materials to ensure a healthy working environment.

In 2011, we once again reinvested the entire tax refund we received from the Swiss CO2 incentive tax system in projects that support the goals of the Credit Suisse Cares for Climate initiative. Examples include investments in the transition to renewable energies when upgrading heating systems, the installation of efficient lighting systems and the use of optimized cooling systems in data centers. Many of these investments generate business for specialized Swiss companies, thus directly benefiting the local economy and some of our clients. We also contributed to national research projects with the aim of lowering CO2 emissions in the construction sector.

Following its successful rollout in 400 business premises across Switzerland, our specially designed energy and resource management software program E-Maximo  underwent further development to allow it to be deployed globally.  E-Maximo enables us to enumerate efficiency targets for individual buildings and to analyze the impact of operational enhancements and energy-related investments. The program records and stores information on all relevant energy and resource consumption. This greatly simplifies and accelerates the quality control process. 

Credit Suisse (UK) ranked third among financial services institutions and 91st in the 2011 performance league table of the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC). In 2007, the UK government announced the mandatory CRC Scheme and in 2010 the scheme became operational. CRC was created in an effort to drive large public and private sector organizations to reduce Carbon emissions and to improve their energy efficiency. Credit Suisse achieved their ranking in the 2011 league table based upon Early Action Metrics inclusive of accreditation for energy management via the Carbon Trust (UK Government sponsored organization to audit energy performance. In 2011 Credit Suisse were re-accredited for energy management and energy reduction measures in all of its UK based property. Reaccreditation was achieved via an external organization called Carbon Saver. Although now not sponsored by the UK Government accreditation can be applied for and awarded to organizations that have reduced their carbon footprint in absolute or growth metric terms and can demonstrate on-going good carbon management to approved auditors.

In the UK, Credit Suisse achieved the 2011 Carbon Trust Standard, which is awarded to organizations that have reduced their carbon footprint in absolute terms and can demonstrate good carbon management.

By separating refuse materials into plastics, paper, metals and food waste, we increased the recycling rate for office waste at our premises in London from 91% to 96% in 2011. In addition, a Credit Suisse third-party refuse company separates and dries organic food waste from the kitchens, enabling methane to be generated, which is then sold on to.

Following the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, the government issued energy reduction targets for summer 2011. Credit Suisse took prompt action to comply with the 15% peak-load energy demand reduction target at its Tokyo offices without disrupting its business activities. We achieved this through measures such as the use of higher temperature set points, reduced lighting and air- conditioning usage, shifting select IT operations to off-peak hours and a swifter transition to the use of more energy efficient office equipment.

In March 2011, our offices in Singapore were awarded the BCA (Building and Construction Authority) Green Mark “Platinum” award for the new office design implemented in levels 2 and 3 of the Serangoon building. This follows the successful completion of improvements to the regional data center, which received the “Platinum” award in 2009. In addition to energy and water efficiency, the award reflects aspects such as the choice of location, environmental protection, innovation and the working environment (e.g. use of 100% LED lighting). An audit will be conducted every three years to ensure the building still meets the relevant criteria.

In 2011, we refurbished our offices in Sydney according to Australia’s Environmental Sustainable Design (ESD) standards and received an award from the Master Builders Association of New South Wales for best interior fit. The redesign included the installation of energy-efficient lighting and lighting control systems, the targeted monitoring of electricity consumption (sub-metering), 100% reuse or recycling of excess materials and construction waste, and a wider range of videoconferencing facilities. The refurbishment is projected to achieve a 10% decrease in annual energy

The relocation of our Houston office in 2011 provided an opportunity to strive for increased operational efficiency. A lease was negotiated that includes the sub-metering of chilled water, enabling the office to realize cost savings. In addition, the use of air-conditioning outside regular business hours was reduced by grouping together in the same office zone employees in business areas that conduct a large proportion of their work outside these hours. This project has a two-year return on investment (ROI) and is projected to deliver USD 700,000 in operational savings over the 10-year lease.

At our data center in Princeton, four cooling systems were replaced with more energy-efficient models in 2011. We also implemented further optimization measures such as the use of ambient air and water for cooling purposes, the automatic fine-tuning of installations in line with frequency of use, and operational adjustments to reduce energy consumption outside of normal working hours. These measures are being supported with USD 1,86 million of energy efficiency incentives from local utilities and public programs and are projected to achieve 2,380,000 kilowatt-hours in energy savings annually and USD 4,9 million in operational cost savings over the 20-year equipment lifespan. direct impact that Credit Suisse has on the environment. The continuous optimization of our operations to increase energy efficiency is therefore a key element of our environmental strategy.