NASDAQ OMX Helsinki has achieved carbon neutrality status for the second straight year, further decreasing its carbon footprint by 7.9 percent in 2012. This was accomplished through the purchase of EUA CO2 emission certificates on the NASDAQ OMX Commodities market and by leveraging innovative carbon mitigation processes. It is a milestone achievement in the ongoing NASDAQ OMX corporate sustainability project.
Lauri Rosendahl, President of NASDAQ OMX Helsinki commented, “The lowering and compensation of our carbon footprint underscores our commitment to ongoing efforts to improve sustainability at NASDAQ OMX. In addition to our own effforts to reduce our carbon footprint, we are focused on supporting listed companies and members who want to improve their sustainability programs.”
“NASDAQ OMX Helsinki employees are engaged in this program and are key contributors to our sustainability efforts. This is a continuation of the environmental program launched in 2010 when NASDAQ OMX Helsinki was granted the right to use the WWF Green Office diploma. Our target is to lower the emissions every year,” Mr. Rosendahl said.
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki’s carbon footprint was calculated by Pöyry Finland Ltd. which totaled 156 tons in 2012 versus 169 tons in 2011. Carbon consumption is comprised of office energy usage (10%), as well as emissions from employee business travel (71%) and commuting (19%). Tiina Kähkö, Director of Pöyry Finland Ltd, says: “NASDAQ OMX Helsinki has lowered its carbon footprint by nearly 8 percent from the previous year. It achieved this mark through a number of initatives, including district heating and reducing business travel.”
In the past 12 months, NASDAQ OMX has brokered exchange consensus on disclosures via the World Federation of Exchanges, partnered with the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative, achieved LEED certification on a number of its office facilities, published its first sustainability report following the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting guidelines, and been admitted to the United Nations Global Compact.
The most recent Sustainability Report (2012) is available on:
http://www.nasdaqomx.com/aboutus/sustainability
