Environmental data collection

We are currently creating a global database that will include all environmental data from all locations. The database uses a new bespoke data management methodology introduced in 2009 that allows for the systematic reporting and evaluation of consumption data. Invoice information can also be retroactively implemented to include historic data.

Since the beginning of 2009, we have been processing approximately 55,000 invoices per year and are providing monthly analyses of energy usage and carbon emissions in our buildings. In the future, we will have a standardized audit and performance reporting platform for approximately 90 percent of our total energy and carbon footprint.

At the end of 2009, we are on track to achieve this goal, with 1,608 building sites configured for continuous reporting for energy.

Focus on ISO-certified locations

Due to the variety of regionally specific conditions, types of contracts, and legal guidelines, the detailed recording and publishing of our environmental data in the areas of energy, water, waste, paper, and transportation concentrates on our locations in Germany, the U.K., and New York. The consumption of facilities representing over 50 percent of our staff is included within this scope.

The consumption data are gathered monthly or annually. Any data not available at the moment of publication will be considered in the following year. This means that upward or downward consumption data changes may occur retroactively.

Regular collection

At all our locations in Germany with more than 4,000 sqm of floorspace and at our locations in the U.K. and 60 Wall Street in New York, where we have direct control, we review our consumption data on a monthly or yearly basis.

For the sake of uniformity, we extrapolate electricity and water consumption based not on the number of employees but on floorspace in Germany as well (since 2009). This is why a number of consumption figures changed in 2009 in comparison to the preceding year.

We continue to extrapolate waste based on the number of employees in Germany. In order to ensure the comparability of the new data we recalculated the data for 2007 and 2008 according to the new calculation method.

We continually allow daily usage to flow into the extrapolations. This may result in retroactive changes of the consumption figures, too.

External activities

The corporate data collection and aggregation processes of the environmental data are reviewed by ERM Certification and Verification Services. Thereby Deutsche Bank ensures the appropriate and accurate reporting of its environmental data.

Data collection for Germany

In Germany, we collect energy and water consumption as well as waste volume data for 35 locations, all of which have a floor space of more than 4,000 sqm. This covers at least 42 percent of our floor space and 52 percent of our employees in Germany directly. Data for all other locations are extrapolated on the basis of the data for the locations with a floor space of 4,000 – 10,000 sqm. In the past this extrapolation was based on the number of employees. In order to harmonize the data calculation procedure world-wide, energy and water consumption was extrapolated from the floor space in Germany in 2009, similar to the procedure used in the UK or for the carbon footprint. This explains why the consumption data have sometimes changed considerably in a year-on-year comparison. Waste volumes in Germany are still extrapolated from the number of employees, as they depend largely on the number of employees. Waste data are captured as volume figures. The weight of Deutsche Bank’s waste is calculated with the help of the density factors provided by the Bavarian Statistical Office.
A change in the density factors led to considerable changes in waste volumes. In order to ensure the comparability of the new data we recalculated the data for 2007 and 2008 according to the new calculation method and the new density factors.

Data collection for the UK

Energy and water consumption data are available for most UK locations (85 percent). The remaining data were calculated on the basis of the floor space. So far, waste data are only available for the London offices. As waste separation is very efficient in London, these data cannot be extrapolated to the UK as a whole. For this reason no extrapolation was made.

Data collection for New York, 60 Wall Street

At the time of the data collection, not all monthly consumption data for New York, 60 Wall Street, were available. The missing data were estimated on the basis of the last available monthly figures from 2008 and the development of consumption in 2009.