DBS aims to certify 100% of its manned branches in Singapore Green Mark Platinum by end-2024
Singapore.24 Jan 2024
Singapore, 24 Jan 2024 - DBS announced today that 100% of its manned branches will be certified Green Mark Platinum by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) before the end of 2024, making it the first bank in Singapore to set such a target. Green Mark Platinum is the pinnacle rating under BCA’s Green Mark, an internationally recognised green building certification scheme.
The walkway flooring was assembled using a unique interlocking method which removed the need for glue typically used in floor-laying,
while the carpets are certified with the Singapore Green Label by the Singapore Green Building Council, and are backed with a material made from recycled PET bottles.
Biophilic design elements featuring preserved moss are mounted using recycled materials, providing long-lasting greenery with minimal maintenance and removing the need for watering, weeding or fertilisation. The walls are lined with wood panels crafted from Singapore Green Label-certified cork, which means that the material was extracted without causing harm to the trees.
Currently, 33 out of the bank’s 41 manned branches, or over 80% are already certified Green Mark Platinum, with the remaining branches on track to attaining the certification later this year. DBS first began greening its manned branches in 2017.
“Managing the environmental footprint of our operations is a core facet of the bank’s broader sustainability strategy and is key to maintaining our operational carbon neutrality. Since 2017, we have pursued opportunities to redesign our branches to be more resource-efficient and carbon-light, and today, we’re well on track to having every single manned branch in Singapore certified Green Mark Platinum before the end of the year. Many of the insights we’ve gained along the way are helpful for any organisation looking to green their operations, and we look forward to sharing our experience with like-minded partners to amplify our collective contributions to Singapore’s sustainability journey,” said Erwin Chong, Group Head, Corporate Real Estate Strategy and Administration, DBS.
Beyond its manned branches, DBS has also made significant strides in greening the rest of its physical infrastructure:
As a result of these efforts and more, DBS achieved carbon neutrality across its operations by the end of 2022 and maintained its carbon neutrality in 2023.
About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 15 consecutive years from 2009 to 2023.
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.
DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting businesses for impact: enterprises with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping underserved communities with future-ready skills and helping them to build food resilience.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.
The walkway flooring was assembled using a unique interlocking method which removed the need for glue typically used in floor-laying,
while the carpets are certified with the Singapore Green Label by the Singapore Green Building Council, and are backed with a material made from recycled PET bottles.
Biophilic design elements featuring preserved moss are mounted using recycled materials, providing long-lasting greenery with minimal maintenance and removing the need for watering, weeding or fertilisation. The walls are lined with wood panels crafted from Singapore Green Label-certified cork, which means that the material was extracted without causing harm to the trees.
Currently, 33 out of the bank’s 41 manned branches, or over 80% are already certified Green Mark Platinum, with the remaining branches on track to attaining the certification later this year. DBS first began greening its manned branches in 2017.
“Managing the environmental footprint of our operations is a core facet of the bank’s broader sustainability strategy and is key to maintaining our operational carbon neutrality. Since 2017, we have pursued opportunities to redesign our branches to be more resource-efficient and carbon-light, and today, we’re well on track to having every single manned branch in Singapore certified Green Mark Platinum before the end of the year. Many of the insights we’ve gained along the way are helpful for any organisation looking to green their operations, and we look forward to sharing our experience with like-minded partners to amplify our collective contributions to Singapore’s sustainability journey,” said Erwin Chong, Group Head, Corporate Real Estate Strategy and Administration, DBS.
Beyond its manned branches, DBS has also made significant strides in greening the rest of its physical infrastructure:
- In March 2022, DBS launched Singapore’s first solar-powered ATM kiosk at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, with about 30% of the kiosk’s energy derived from solar panels installed on its roof.
- In July 2022, DBS opened DBS Newton Green, a 30-year-old building retrofitted to become Singapore’s first net zero building by a bank. DBS reduced the energy consumption of the building by close to 70%, with the remaining energy needs met through solar power produced on-site. DBS Newton Green was certified by BCA as a Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy development in further affirmation of the building’s net zero credentials.
- In September 2022, DBS opened its first sustainable self-service branch at Fernvale Community Centre, which was fitted with upcycled materials such as reclaimed pallet wood and compressed strawboards to give “waste” a new lease of life, as well as energy-efficient appliances such as a thermal air-conditioning system with 35% less energy consumption.
As a result of these efforts and more, DBS achieved carbon neutrality across its operations by the end of 2022 and maintained its carbon neutrality in 2023.
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About DBS
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 15 consecutive years from 2009 to 2023.
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.
DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting businesses for impact: enterprises with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping underserved communities with future-ready skills and helping them to build food resilience.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.