Using Resources Responsibly
Environmental sustainability has become an important issue for individuals, communities, governments and businesses around the world — including U.S. Bank. Our environmental initiatives have the full support and backing of our Managing Committee and Board of Directors.
U.S. Bancorp focuses on environmental sustainability
As part of its environmental commitment, in the summer of 2007, U.S. Bancorp created a new position, the Environmental Policy Director. The director’s role is to coordinate efforts across all business lines and across our national footprint to ensure that U.S. Bank is an environmentally responsible corporate citizen and leader. This is a meaningful undertaking and will not occur overnight.
The Director formed the Environmental Task Force with the goal to develop a company wide environmental policy by year end 2007. The policy was finalized in January. The task force includes members from business lines throughout the company and recommends environmental initiatives to address the company’s business practices, products and services, internal operations and employee involvement.
U.S. Bancorp recognizes the importance of environmental sustainability. Our customers, communities, shareholders, investors, and employees expect U.S. Bancorp to act in an environmentally responsible manner and it is our responsibility as good corporate citizens to respect those expectations.
Although we have made progress in recent years, it is our intent to address environmental sustainability issues in a more systematic manner moving forward. We will be leveraging our internal expertise, as well as the power of our employees, to positively impact the environment through new opportunities and our programs outlined below. U.S. Bancorp has several energy reduction initiatives currently underway including the use of Energy Star rated appliances and equipment, lighting retro fit upgrades and adding programmable thermostats for increased HVAC control. In addition to the focus on areas of direct control, we are providing energy saving tips to our employees so they can assist in our efforts.
U.S. Bancorp will strive to invest in new financial products and services that will help sustain our resources and the environment and promote energy conservation, the reduction of waste and other environmental initiatives. We will pursue opportunities to develop products and services that will have a positive impact on the environment while assisting our clients in meeting their personal waste reduction, recycling, and energy conservation goals.
U.S. Bancorp’s focus on key issues
The task force addresses the following major issues: climate change, forest protection, internal operations, employee involvement, environmental investments, products and services.