CCIFS Grand Prix 2022: OTP banka Srbija- Generator Zero
The Grand Prix award shall be held on this year's Gala evening. OTP Bank Serbia is nominated for "CSR" category.
ON THE ROAD OF "GREEN TRANSITION"
Generator Zero project
Generator is one of the largest, most visible and most important projects of OTP Bank, which has been implemented for five years and every year provides an answer to current local and global topics and challenges.
This year's Generator Zero (November 2021-March 2022) was dedicated to supporting and rewarding innovative projects that represent sustainable solutions with a real and measurable impact on reducing carbon footprint, as one of the biggest challenges of today. The topic of this year's competition is in line with the strategic commitment of the bank, which recognizes the "green transition" of its overall business as one of its most important business priorities.
The Generator Zero competition was open to micro, small, medium enterprises, startup companies, startup informal teams and entrepreneurs who submitted projects based on support for the development and improvement of solutions that contribute to reducing carbon footprint *, so that they can cover everything from small changes to readable business transformations.
Out of 72 unique applications, 10 finalists were selected, out of which, based on the votes of the expert jury, OTP banka awarded the winning solution of B-fresh Technologies startup with a cash prize of 2,000,000 dinars and support in further development and promotion, as well as project presentation. OTP Lab is the innovation hub of the parent OTP Group, which is present in 11 countries in Europe, as well as in the investment fund Portfolion. The Bank provided promotion to all other finalists on the Bank's communication channels.
Driven by the fact that a third of the food produced globally ends up as waste, which affects CO2 emissions, domestic startup B-fresh Technologies has developed a product that extends the life of fruits and vegetables, which make up as much as 40 percent of that waste. It is a B-fresh spray, an innovative, environmentally friendly solution that emulsifies the interior of existing packaging, such as plastic, cardboard, paper boxes or wooden crates.
The importance of the Generator Zero project was recognized and supported by numerous partners: Mastercard, Schneider Electric, Bosch, ICT HUB, Serbia Innovates, Digital Serbia Initiative, Netokracija and BOS - Belgrade Open School, as well as OTP Lab innovation hub OTP Group and investment fund Portfolio.
The company Mastercard awarded the solution "From tradition to a greener future" of the Bifrost Bioplastic team with a cash prize of 5,000 EUR, while the project SERBIA INNOVATES this startup provided access to funding and its consulting support.
Schneider Electric donated computer equipment to the Buttsy NFT team for the solution of the same name, while Robert Bosch presented a prize of 200,000 dinars for the project "Self-sustainable greenhouse with composter" to Bit Engineering.
ICT Hub dedicated three months of coworking space, the opportunity to present itself to the ICT HUB Venture fund, consultations and networking with partners from the FMCG industry for the startup Eat Me App for the solution of the same name, while Netokracija provided valuable media support to this project.
The DIGITAL SERBIA initiative awarded the "Cloud city" project of the Smart City Technologies startup with mentoring and access to business angels, and the Belgrade Open School (BOS) donated a handmade paper and packaging project to the "Our House" Association for Supporting Persons with Developmental Disabilities. valuable mentoring and support.
The Generator Zero project was also implemented with the aim of increasing the knowledge of employees about how they can contribute to reducing the carbon footprint in their business and private environment. The bank's administrative buildings are branded with educational messages on the topic of environmentally responsible behavior, while employees also received content on the same topic through internal communication channels.
We support external "green initiatives"
Priceless planet Coalition
Recognizing the importance of combating climate change, OTP Bank is the first bank in Serbia and Hungary to join Mastercard's global Priceless Planet Coalition initiative with the goal of planting as many as 100 million trees in the next five years in areas around the world. studies, afforestation most needed. Every client of the Bank who opens a new account and takes over his Mastercard card immediately becomes a part of the Priceless Planet program, which will plant one tree on his behalf.
OTP banka joined the international project of afforestation of endangered areas of the planet, primarily with the aim of contributing to stopping the effects of climate change, but also in order to raise citizens' awareness of the importance of environmental protection. Through the Priceless Planet coalition, together with our clients, we are moving towards the same goal, which is a local contribution to achieving a positive impact on reducing carbon dioxide emissions and investing in environmental reconstruction.
Rational use of natural resources
When it comes to the rational use of natural resources, OTP Bank is focused on those topics in which it has the most significant impact, namely energy use and waste management.
All branches of the bank and central buildings are connected to the Building Management System (BMS), which allows lighting to be turned off at the same time in all branches, ie prevents lighting from staying out of working hours, which contributes to energy efficiency. With the same goal, through this system, the temperature in the room is regulated.
The central building in Belgrade, at 50a / b Zoran Đinđića Boulevard, has a solar power plant on the roof, and the produced electricity goes directly to the EPS supply system, which additionally contributes to energy efficiency. The Bank has concluded an agreement on the complete supply of electricity from renewable sources (100% ZelEPS).
The bank is committed to procuring recycled toners and FSC-certified paper (wood-based paper from certified forests that are responsibly managed).
Bearing in mind that the Bank also has plastic packaging within the municipal waste, but the possibility of handing over for recycling has been reduced due to the dislocation of facilities and small quantities per facility, it is planned to stimulate the reduction of plastic packaging. As an initial step, it is planned that the Bank will stop purchasing plastic cups for water dispensers in the coming period.
The bank has 2 electric chargers for electric vehicles in the parking lot of the central building in Belgrade that can be used by clients and employees.
Environmental impacts
OTP Bank carefully assesses its direct and indirect impacts on the environment, takes initiatives to prevent negative impacts, and implements and supports initiatives that have a positive impact on the state of the environment.
One of our key strategic directions is the "green transition" in business, ie commitment to sustainable business and environmental sustainability. The Bank also received support for the Green Strategy from the parent OTP Group, which signed the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking for all member banks, which is a unique framework for sustainable business in this sector, developed through partnerships between banks around the world and the Financial Initiative for Life. the middle of the United Nations. We have thus joined the world's largest banking community focused on sustainable financing.
By signing the Principles for Responsible Banking, we confirm and demonstrate our commitment to sustainable banking, contributing to the sustainability of the community and the economy. The Principles are the guiding framework for ensuring that banks' strategies and practices are in line with the vision set by society for its future in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Banks that have signed the Principles are committed to being ambitious in their sustainability strategies, working to integrate and embed sustainability at the heart of their business, while enabling them to stay on top of sustainable financing.
Based on the Principles, signatory banks measure the impact of their operations on the environment and society, set and implement targets in areas where they have the most significant impact, and report regularly and publicly on their progress. The principles provide a framework for banks to systematically understand the risks and seize the opportunities arising from the transition to more sustainable economies.
