We have developed and implemented a new web-based monitoring tool as part of our Corporate Environmental Management System (CEMS). This has enabled us to improve the reliability and consistency of our internal environmental data.

A web based monitoring system was developed to monitor energy consumption, business travel, paper consumption, waste and drinking water consumption. The monitoring tool is a centralized system with predefined, uniform calculations and an output based on international standards. It is designed for external reporting purposes and for internal management of the key performance indicators. The data gathering procedures increased the transparency of data flows. In 2007 the monitoring of energy consumption in the Benelux and Turkey was extended to Poland, UK and France.

The global pattern of energy use in our buildings is attributable to three factors: electricity consumption rose with the expansion of capacity at our data centres; 2007 was an especially warm year; and there was an increase in the number of FTEs per square meter.

The increase in kilometres travelled in 2007 reflects improved data collection. The NS Business Card had a positive impact as part of the sustainability mobility policy in the Netherlands, especially in terms of visiting Brussels by train. Sustainable mobility policies will be implemented in other countries in 2008. The Fortis air taxi service between Luxembourg and Brussels will be discontinued in 2008 and travel policy will be adapted, with offsite meetings and events restricted, and greater encouragement given to tele- and videoconferencing rather than physical meetings.

Our marketing and other paper increased the last year due to a higher coverage within the countries. The actions taken to reduce paper consumption in 2007 focussed on technical optimisations such as increasing standardisation of double sided printing and a number of awareness campaigns. Since we recognize our high environmental impact as an office-based organisation, we will step up our efforts to reduce paper consumption.

With the purchase of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified white copying and letter paper in Luxemburg, we are gradually improving our paper quality group-wide. Currently the Benelux is using 100 % FSC copy-print paper in the Benelux and 100% FSC envelopes in Luxemburg. In 2008 the purchase of FSC certified envelopes in at least Belgium and the Netherlands will be the next step.

Waste

Monitoring of waste was improved in the Benelux and Turkey in 2007 and will be optimized in 2008 to allow defining appropriate actions for improving waste segregation and disposal methods. Fortis Benelux extended its selective waste segregation in 2007. This year Fortis Turkey also made big efforts to introduce separate collection of paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, batteries, ink toners and metals in their new Operations Center building. The Local municipality of Umraniye and Environmental Department of Istanbul City congratulated them with this initiative.