Zurich, 15 September 2015 – UBS supports the transition to a low-carbon economy by joining RE100, a global initiative to get the world's most influential companies to use only renewable power. The firm has committed to sourcing 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. This will reduce its greenhouse gas footprint by 75% by 2020 compared with 2004 levels.
UBS is well positioned to achieve this goal. In the last 10 years, it has substantially reduced its global greenhouse gas footprint by more than 50%. In Switzerland, Germany and the UK the firm already buys 100% of electricity from renewable sources. In addition, UBS has increased energy efficiency by more than 30% since 2000 in its home market of Switzerland.
"With our commitment to renewable energy our goal is to take a leadership role and help create demand for renewable energy across the globe," says Caroline Anstey, Global Head UBS and Society, a cross-divisional program launched in 2014 which combines activities in sustainable investing and philanthropy, UBS's environmental and social policies, and the firm's community engagement. "Reducing our own footprint is a key commitment within our climate change strategy, which also focuses on investments, financing, research and risk management."
Partnership with RE100
RE100 was launched by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP. These international non-profit organizations collaborate with companies and investors in the transition to a low-carbon economy. The initiative aims to encourage multinational companies to make a global 100% renewable commitment with a clear timeframe for reaching their goal.
"UBS has been an early mover in its industry applying environmental standards and ambitious targets to mitigate climate change. Joining RE100 and setting a goal to be 100 per cent powered by renewable energy by 2020 is a win-win – as well as showing clear leadership, it makes sound business sense," says Mark Kenber, CEO of The Climate Group.
How UBS supports its clients
UBS also supports its clients as they mitigate and adapt to climate change and provides research, investment ideas and investment opportunities to the field of climate change, renewable energy and sustainable real estate. UBS also seeks to protect its clients and its own assets from climate change risks and provides financing to companies who support climate change mitigation and adaption.
Links
www.ubs.com/climate
www.ubs.com/responsibility
Our climate change commitment
For more information on UBS's climate change commitment and achievements in 2014, please refer to the Annual Report 2014, pages 324-325.
UBS energy efficiency examples
Region | Message |
|---|---|
Switzerland | UBS has increased energy efficiency by more than 30% since 2000. Various building projects have been or will be contributing to further increase energy efficiency or reduce greenhouse gas emissions:
Since 2007 in Switzerland, we have been sourcing 100% of our electricity needs from renewable sources, mainly hydropower. |
Europe (UK, Germany) | The new building 5 Broadgate in London will become our new principal office and trading building when fully occupied in 2016. The sustainable design is aiming to achieve highest internationally recognised certifications: BREEAM Excellent for base building, LEED Platinum for internal fit-out. The local carbon footprint will be reduced by 65% compared to existing buildings at Broadgate. |
Americas (USA, Brazil, Mexico) | UBS has obtained 9 distinct LEED certifications in 5 buildings across the region and occupies space in additional 32 buildings that have achieved LEED certification. |
APAC (Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Taiwan) | In 2015, UBS has three ongoing projects in the region that target LEED or similar local certification. |
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About UBS and Society
UBS and Society is a cross-divisional, umbrella platform designed to harness the powerful combination of our firm’s global capabilities, our activities in sustainable investing and philanthropy, our environmental and social policies, and our community interaction. We want to maximize our performance to generate long-term, sustainable and measurable benefits for our clients and our communities.
About RE100
RE100 is a global initiative to engage, support and showcase influential companies committed to using 100% renewable power. RE100 shares the compelling business case for renewables, while working with others to address barriers to wide-scale adoption and to develop transparent reporting mechanisms for companies. By massively increasing private sector demand for renewable power, RE100 will accelerate the transformation of the global energy market, enabling the transition to a prosperous low-carbon future. RE100 is led by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP, and is supported by the We Mean Business coalition.
UBS Group AG
