Environmental management
We are convinced that every company can and should make its own individual contribution towards protecting the environment through the economic use of raw materials and by reducing CO2 emissions. When it comes to direct environmental and climate impact, it could be said that the carbon footprint left by banks is relatively small compared with manufacturing companies. However, for BayernLB, sustainably designing its own operations forms the basis for its overall sustainable commitment.

Sustainable facility management
Today, more than two thirds of all Group employees work at locations that have a certified environmental management system. At BayernLB Bank, the proportion is even higher, at over 90 percent. The main areas for action in environmental management are waste, energy consumption, business travel, paper consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption.
The environmental management system at BayernLB
BayernLB established an operational environment management system more than 20 years ago, which, since 1999, has been validated in accordance with the stringent European EMAS regulation. Since 2011, the environmental management system has also been certified in accordance with the international standard ISO 14001.
We get involved in local and regional structures and make a contribution to environmental protection there as well. We will therefore incorporate our foreign branches into our commitment to environmental protection by 2023, and will also offset their CO2 emissions.
BayernLB provides an annual report of the progress made on environmental management in our environmental statement.

Sustainable workplace and climate-friendly mobility
We know: The commitment and motivation of BayernLB’s employees is crucial to how environmentally friendly BayernLB ultimately. We therefore promote environmental awareness among our employees and involve them actively in the environmental measures.
Rail travel is prioritised
Since business travel makes the largest contribution to BayernLB's environmental footprint, reducing travel-related emissions is particularly important. Before they travel, employees are obliged to check the carbon emissions generated by their journey and to consider possible alternatives. This especially applies to travel that is not client-related. In principle, they should take the train for any destination that can be reached by train in less than 3.5 hours.
Sustainable driving with car sharing and electric cars
Employees can register free of charge with car sharing providers whose fleets include electric cars. This allows them to reach destinations that are not easily accessible by train in a climate-friendly way. Guests and visitors to BayernLB can use the “Umwelttaxi München” service to book a hybrid or electric taxi.
Video and telephone conferences instead of travel
The positive experience with flexible working models is having a decisive influence on the sustainable workplace. By implementing a desk-sharing quota, we are boosting the rate of working from home and reducing the time and energy required for the commute. BayernLB is also gradually investing in modern infrastructure for video and telephone conferences.
Sustainable travel to the office
To enable employees to make an eco-friendly journey to work, BayernLB offers its staff discounted job tickets for travel on public transport. A bike station has also been established at the Munich site, with parking spaces for 220 bicycles. The underground car park at BayernLB has charging stations for electric cars, which are available free of charge.
Furthermore, BayernLB will review and implement other measures to improve the carbon footprint of its employees’ transport and/or commute by 2023.
1995
BayernLB as signatory of the UNEP Finance Initiative (environmental protection and banks)
1997
Membership in the Association for Environmental Management in Banks, Savings Banks, and Insurance Companies (“VfU”)
1998
Participation in Environmental Pact of Bavaria
1999
EMAS validation and first environmental declaration
2000
First sustainability rating: BayernLB becomes a sector leader
2004
Commitment to comply with World Bank standards
2007
BayernLB publishes first sustainability report
2008
As one of the first banks to do so, BayernLB works climate-neutrally at its head office in Munich
2011
BayernInvest as signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
2012
“Financing tomorrow’s energy” Group initiative
2015
BayernLB works climate-neutrally at all its sites in Germany
2016
DKB green bond – first German private commercial bank to issue a green bond
2017
LABO social bond – first social bond by a development bank
2018
Partnership with Climate Bonds Initiative: promoting the development of the green bond market
DKB's #geldverbesserer initiative (“Your money can do more”)
2020
BayernLB has a clear strategic focus on sustainability
2021
Joining the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials
Signature of UN Global Compact and Principles for Responsible Banking
Publication of new Sustainability Strategy and Guiding Principles for Transformation
2022
BayernLB one of the first banks in Germany to publish Sustainable Lending Framework