Carbon Neutrality 2010
The BTS Monterosa Group has compensated all the carbon emissions caused by the operations of the group in 2010
Zurich, 14 February 2011
The BTS Monterosa Group, an independent provider of financial services to global players in India and the Asian markets, has started neutralizing its carbon emissions in 2008. While in 2008 only the carbon emissions from the Zurich offices were compensated, the group extended its commitment to the environment in 2009 by neutralizing 100% of the group’s operations in Zurich, Mumbai and Port Louis. In 2010, the group continued this practice and compensated, for a second time, all the carbon emissions caused by the operations of the whole group.
In 2010, the group’s operations caused a total of 626 tons of carbon emissions, compared with 602 tons in 2009. Like in the previous year the largest share of the group’s carbon emissions came from the business flights that were responsible for 62% of the total emissions. They were followed by traffic emissions caused by commuting, which caused 22%, and 15% from energy consumption emissions.
The increase in the total amount of emissions was due to an increase of the group’s personnel and the subsequent growth in commuter traffic and energy consumption, although the group managed to reduce the emissions of business flights from 379 tons to 356 tons. “To contribute to our responsibility and care to the environment and sustainability, the BTS Monterosa Group will not just passively compensate its carbon emission, but also actively and continuously work on measures to reduce our carbon emissions on all fronts, “ said Martin de Quervain, COO of the Group. “One measure has been the risen awareness of our management and staff when making business flights and the increasing use of video conferences instead,” he said.
For the realization of carbon neutralization, the group chose to cooperate with First Climate AG for a third consecutive time, a reputable carbon neutralization company based in Germany and Switzerland. This year, the group decided to provide financial support for two wind energy generation projects. One located in India and the other in Turkey.
The Indian project, located in Tamil Nadu, meets the requirements of Voluntary Carbon Standard (VER project). The project in Turkey, located near Izmir, meets the Gold Stand, one of the highest standards in the voluntary sector. Both projects have a strong social focus and plan in close coordination with the local population. There are employment benefits both during construction and operation. Furthermore, they support the development of local infrastructures such as access roads and grid-connection infrastructure.
For enquiries on carbon neutrality, please contact:
Dejian Cui
Phone: +41 44 289 21 06
E-mail: dejian@btsbelvoir.com
