environmental policy statement
mecuis one of Australia’s largest and most successful customer owned banks, recognised nationally and internationally for maintaining a socially responsible approach to banking. mecu Limited is a mutually owned public, unlisted company and is registered with ASIC and APRA. bankmecu holds an Australian Financial Service License and is an approved deposit-taking institution.
The role of bankmecu is to deliver an efficient and effective banking service to customers, primarily through lending, savings and insurance. bankmecu recognises that the natural environment provides the resources required to carry out day-to-day business operations. By continuing to identify and manage environmental impacts, bankmecu will maintain industry leadership, deliver value to customers, help ensure longevity and reduce costs.
bankmecu is committed to the continual improvement of its environmental performance through the implementation and review of an Environmental Management System (EMS). Through the implementation of an EMS, bankmecu will commit to an ongoing management program of objectives, targets and actions, headed by the General Manager - Operations, to improve performance. The EMS will also provide the mechanisms through which environmental commitments made under the United Nations Environment Program Statement by Financial Institutions on the Environment and bankmecu’s Sustainability Covenant with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria will be met.
bankmecu is committed to complying with all relevant environmental legislation and to the prevention of pollution and has mechanisms in place to ensure conformity.
bankmecu defines environmental impacts as both the direct impacts it has on the environment through emissions, natural resource use and waste generation, and the indirect impacts that occur through the financial products and services it offers, suppliers and partnerships it forms.
Key environmental objectives include:
- To use energy more efficiently;
- To use water more efficiently;
- To reduce the amount of waste produced and increase the quantity of waste re-used and recycled;
- To reduce the environmental impacts of travel;
- To consider environmental issues through procurement activities;
- To consider environmental issues associated with products and services offered to customers;
- To consider environmental issues when new partnerships are formed;
- To increase environmental awareness amongst customers and employees; and
- To become carbon neutral by June 30, 2010.
Through a process of auditing and senior management decision making, mecu will ensure environmental management systems and controls are active and are consistent across the various mecu office locations.