Ecology in Banking Operations

NRW.BANK has long been dedicated to the responsible use of natural resources, as well as to protecting the climate and environment, while strictly avoiding negative environmental impacts. In its efforts to embed sustainability throughout all business processes and structures, the Bank places particular emphasis on the efficient use of all resources.

A key priority is the strict avoidance of emissions in banking operations. Increasing the use of environmentally friendly and renewable resources helps to minimise unavoidable emissions.

For a more systematic consideration of environmental issues, NRW.BANK has introduced an environmental management system (EMS) in accordance with the Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). NRW.BANK’s environmental management system is the instrument that supports the Bank in identifying, assessing and managing environmental impacts.

Emissions from banking operations in kg CO2e1)

 

2023

2024

2025

Electricity

 46,453 51,865

55,137

Heating energy incl. emergency power diesel

 749,678 870,307

915,838

Business travel

 371,921 366,573

508,341

Paper

 13,529 14,994

11,428

Drinking water

 7,398 8,910

10,364

Waste

 96,901 83,056

89,749

Refrigerant

 130,746 13,950

42,359

Company catering

 - 313,852

339,895

Total emissions

 1,997,555 1,983,992

2,240,872

of which direct emissions (Scope 1) 2)

 453,269 474,530

534,016

of which indirect emissions (Scope 2) 2)

 407,224 475,283

499,968

of which indirect emissions (Scope 3) 2)

 1,137,061 1,034,179

1,207,611

1) The calculation of the emission values was carried out on the basis of the VfU 2025 version, whereas in previous years the VfU 2022 version had been applied. The current version draws on the EcoInvent database versions 3.10/3.11, while the earlier calculations were based on EcoInvent 3.7.1. The change in the underlying data sources resulted in adjustments to the emission factors, which limits comparability with the results of previous reporting years. To enhance comparability, the greenhouse gas emissions for 2023 and 2024 were recalculated retroactively using the VfU 2025 version and have been updated accordingly.

2) Distinction between direct and indirect emissions: 

Direct greenhouse gas emissions originate from sources that are owned or controlled by NRW.BANK itself. 

Indirect greenhouse gas emissions result from NRW.BANK's business activities – however, their emission sources are owned or controlled by third parties. In accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, emissions are divided into three categories according to the degree to which they can be influenced by NRW.BANK: 

  • Emissions category (Scope 1): all direct emissions.
  • Emissions category (Scope 2): all indirect emissions arising, for example, from the generation of electricity, steam or heat energy that NRW.BANK purchases from external sources.
  • Emissions category (Scope 3): all other indirect emissions in areas such as logistics/transport, material consumption, supply and disposal. This also includes emissions generated by service and production companies, as well as in their upstream chains.

Emissions from banking operations (in tsd. kg)

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Emissions from banking operations (in t kg)
Jahr Heating energy Business travel Refrigerant Waste Electricity Paper Drinking Water Company catering
2023 749,678 371,921 130,746 96,601 46,453 13,529 7,398
2024 870,307 366,573 13,950 83,056 51,865 14,994 8,910 313,852
2025 915,838 508,341 42,359 89,749 55,137 11,428 10,364 339,895

NRW.BANK buys climate protection certificates to offset the unavoidable emissions from its banking operations.

The new Environmental statement 2026 will be published soon.

  1. Environmental Statement of NRW.BANK 2025 [PDF, 6.6 MB]

    The Environmental Statement describes NRW.BANK’s commitment to environmental protection, the Bank’s environmental performance and how it is to be further improved going forward.

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