Barclays Wealth helps employees see 'Green'

The Environmental Awareness Program, initiated by the Corporate Real Estate team (CRES) at Barclays Wealth, was designed to implement conservation methods to transform the financial institution into an Earth-friendly community. These initiatives supplement Barclays' global call for Responsible Citizenship. The Green Day event held in Dubai illustrated the steps undertaken locally to promote recycling as well as reduce water and electricity consumption, while educating employees on how to apply these measures in their daily lives at work and at home.

"Barclays Wealth is keen on looking after communities around the world and fulfilling its inherent responsibility as a member of these communities to support causes that deal with the global environmental issue. Barclays Wealth is doing this in markets where it can engage the local stakeholders - be they customers, community representatives or colleagues - by aligning community investment to its core business to achieve maximum positive impact"

said Soha Nashaat, CEO of Barclays Wealth, Middle East and North Africa.

Abdulla Al Awar, Managing Director of the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority said: "As an organisation that strongly believes in the responsibility of corporations to encourage environmentally friendly practices, DIFC supports the Environmental Awareness Programme launched by Barclays Wealth. Corporations have an important role to play in promoting environmental awareness and such initiatives are critically important to building the momentum for a complete transformation of the environmental state of the world. We look forward to working closely with institutions like Barclays to promote environmental values in the region's financial industry."

In the UAE, Barclays Wealth started a programme aimed at implementing methods of conservation to further reduce pollution and other wastes by adopting simple changes, such as the usage of crockery mugs instead of paper cups, decrease of the monthly paper usage, and the installation of motion sensor lighting throughout the offices. Barclays Wealth also went a step further by investing in Thin Client personal computers for all their employees, which saves 75% electricity consumption.

Further environmental initiatives will be adopted by Barclays Wealth during the course of 2009 and will include the introduction of segregated waste for recycling, a car pool challenge and the introduction of organic meal options for meetings and client hospitality.

"Our environment is essential to our existence. As an organization, we must set an example and raise the standards in conservation methods to demonstrate that operating effectively does not mean we have to destroy our planet. Our concern for our investors grows beyond the banking realm, as this is an issue that affects our children, our existence and the continuation of life on Earth. Barclays Wealth will take all necessary actions to exercise eco-friendly practices", explained Zaid Al Rawi, Sales Director, Middle East & North Africa at Barclays Wealth.

Other global initiatives that demonstrate Barclays Wealth's commitment to reduce toxic wastes, include the installation of carbon neutral carpet in the New York, Qatar, and Mumbai offices. Assessments are also being made for all new building projects against international sustainable building design standards.