History of BCF actions

Aware of this challenge, BCF has been continually reducing its environmental impact for several years, despite sustained economic growth.

It set up a Sustainable Development working group from the outset that operates across all its activities. This collective and structured approach enables the Bank to effectively manage its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions while ensuring the consistency of its long-term commitments.

Main activities

Here is a brief summary of the main actions that have led to a reduction in CO2:

2003
Establishment of the Sustainable working group at BCF

2004
Contracting with Groupe E for thermal insulation (headquarters)

2005
20% increase in the use of Jade electricity

2006
Air cooling of the cooling installation

2007
Replacement of lift motors

2008
First CO2 balance sheet, e-invoice system to limit printing

2009
First LED sign and timed control of signage on public lighting

2010
Double-sided printing as standard, Climate Services Silver label, automatic end-of-day shutdown of computers

2011
Certification of e-banking in accordance with the ISO 14064 standard with investment of residual CO2 emitted by customer transactions in certificates for a reforestation project in Africa, awareness-raising
campaign: Eco-gesture; renovation of lighting in customer areas; Gold Label from Climate Services

2012
Application of the Eco-Design when redesigning the Bank’s website. To this end, BCF consulted GreenIT. fr, Breek and GreenIT Consulting to draw up an appropriate specification, which then led to the creation of the “Eco-conception web / les 100 bonnes pratiques” book by M. Frédéric Bordage, published by Eyrolles, ISBN 978-2-212-13575-6, introduction of the ISO 26000 standard; remote monitoring of tanks

2013
Cleaning of the heating circuits at head office; energy analysis of the head office; Installation of a new gas boiler at the Vuisternens-devant-Romont branch

2014
Replacement of 232 thermostatic valves at head office; replacement of windows at the Charmey branch; systematic double-sided printing

2015
New LED lighting in the head office basement, partial replacement of the windows at the head office; connection of the Murten branch to the district heating system

2016
Replacement of the remaining windows at the head office, additional ceiling insulation in the airlock and installation of LED lighting at the head-office; renovation of the exterior of the Estavayer-le-Lac branch building; replacement of windows and partial insulation of the head office courtyard

2017
Ecogesture, creation of an e-learning programme on sustainability for all BCF employees

2018
After a series of considerations since 2014, the ISO 14024-certified Carbon Fri Foundation was founded in February 2018 by Banque Cantonale de Fribourg, the Fribourg Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Climate Services

2019
First  BCF sustainability charter

2020
Creating a BCF ESG mandate

2021
New ESG Charter incorporating SDG targets

2021
First Sustainability Report

2022
Sustainability Report 2022 with new visual identity and the creation of two micro-sites, https://rg.bcf.ch and https://esg.bcf.ch for more targeted search for ESG information on BCF

2023
Compliance with the two SBA Guidelines:
– Guidelines for Financial Service Providers on the Integration of ESG Preferences and ESG Risks and the Prevention of Greenwashing in Investment Advice and Portfolio Management with the creation of an investment policy
– Guidelines for Mortgage Providers on the Promotion of Energy Efficiency by integrating ESG criteria into lending
Preparation and approval of a mobility plan, establishment of an investment and lending policy voluntarily comply with the requirements of the SBA Guidelines
Implementation of a gold traceability control process for purchases and sales

2024
Participation in the 2024 PACTA Climate Test
Renovation of the Domdidier branch
Installation of solar panels on the head office roof
Replacement of monoblock ventilation units at head office (significant reduction in electricity consumption)

Annual recurring activities

From and until today:

2008
Preparation of a certified CO2 balance sheet and action plan

2011
Certification of e-Banking in accordance with the ISO 14064 standard, with the residual CO2 emitted by customer transactions being invested through certificates for a reforestation project in Africa and then in the Carbon Fri Foundation.

2014
Creation of a CO2 balance sheet for online banking in accordance with the ISO 14064 standard (including the bcf.ch, mybcf, e-banking and mobile banking applications)

2020
Fair-ON-Pay, renewal of SQS Fair-ON-Pay+ certificate, renewed every two years

2021
Preparation of the Sustainability Report

2024
Assessment of the CO2 emissions from the Bank’s mortgage portfolio