BM&FBOVESPA Presents Its First Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory And Aims For Zero Carbon Level - The Exchange Released 1,577 Tons Of CO2e In 2009 And Has Adopted A Series Of Measures To Cut Emissions

BM&FBOVESPA has concluded its first Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, based on the methodology of the Brazil GHG Protocol Program. The results show that in 2009 the Exchange released 1,577 tons of CO2 equivalent – a measure used as a standard for various types of Greenhouse emission, considering different global warming potentials.

The amount of gases released directly or indirectly by the Exchange is low compared to the total emissions declared by the 35 signatories of the Brazil GHG Protocol Program. In 2009, these companies declared the joint emission of 89 million tons of CO2e. According to BM&FBOVESPA’s Sustainability Officer, Sonia Favaretto, the Exchange aims at maximum reduction of emissions in the coming period and at neutralizing remaining emissions in order to become zero carbon by 2012.

Reduction measures

The main source of GHG (Greenhouse Gas) at BM&FBOVESPA is electricity consumption, which accounts for 28.73% of emissions – or 453.31 tons of CO2e. For this reason a series of economy measures is underway, among which modernizing elevators and the lighting system; automating the air-conditioning system; carrying out a study for the installation of multimeters to monitor energy quality; and turning off computers at 19:30. This last measure was implemented in October 2008 and is estimated to have reduced energy consumption by 44,000 kW/month. Soon all CRT monitors will be replaced with LCD equipment, which is more modern and uses less energy.

Other important indirect emission sources are air trips, employee travel, outsourced logistics services, and taxis. These account for 735.12 tons of CO2e, or 46.59% of total emissions. This amount should be reduced following a series of initiatives to be adopted by BM&FBOVESPA, among which the use of a state-of-the-art Telepresence room currently being installed at the Exchange. The use of Telepresence, which is an advanced stage in videoconference technology, enhances the quality of remote communication and enables a reduction in work trips.

Majority of employees use the subway

An internal survey conducted for the inventory asked BM&FBOVESPA employees, interns and outsourced workers: “How do you get to work?”. The question was answered by 961 people - or 58% of those working for BM&FBOVESPA at the time. It showed the subway as the preferred mode of transport, used by 69% of those interviewed - half of whom as their main form of transport and half of whom secondarily, combined with bus or car. Only 13.53% use a car as their main form of transport.

In order to encourage more employees to leave cars at home, the Exchange will install a bicycle parking lot nearby its headquarters and adopt a car pool program through an online intranet tool. “All these actions seek to reduce the impact of our activities on the environment. Additionally, we want to educate our internal public towards rethinking and changing their habits and in the process offer them the necessary conditions and infrastructure to do so”, concluded Sonia Favaretto.