Heritage achieves Climate Active certification
28 November 2022
Heritage Bank now delivers member-focused banking in an environmentally sustainable way, after earning Climate Active certification for reducing and offsetting emissions from its business operations.
Climate Active operates as a partnership between the Australian Government and businesses to drive climate action. To achieve Climate Active certification, organisations must prove they are carbon neutral and committed to environmental sustainability.
Being awarded Climate Active certification is a clear demonstration that Toowoomba-based mutual Heritage lives up to its commitments to put the interests of people, and the planet, first.
Certification is an honour that Heritage prizes highly, as it strives to have a positive impact on the communities in which it operates.
“As a customer-owned bank, we’re devoted to operating in the best interests of our members and the communities where we live. We have done that in a banking sense for a very long time and we’re now working hard to demonstrate that same commitment to our environment,” Heritage Bank CEO Peter Lock said.
“Our operations are now carbon neutral, which is fantastic. We have implemented numerous initiatives to reduce our emissions across our locations and are supporting some incredible projects like native bush regeneration through the purchase of carbon offsets.
“Achieving carbon neutrality is a major step in demonstrating to our members that we’re serious about contributing to a sustainable future, and a step that has helped Heritage secure Climate Active certification.
“I’m extremely proud that Heritage has achieved these milestones as it’s important we leave our communities in a better place for future generations.”
Heritage is working with Tasman Environmental Markets to support native bush regeneration projects in Queensland and New South Wales that help landholders combat the loss of native plant species, promote vegetation growth and a vibrant habitat for native wildlife.
This builds on Heritage’s commitment to promoting sustainability, which includes appointing its first ESG and Sustainability Manager Andrew Masci earlier in 2022 and co-signing the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals’ Declaration of Climate Action earlier in November.
More information on sustainability at Heritage Bank can be found on our Sustainability page.
