FNBO's Commitment to Environmental Sustainability and Emissions Reduction

FNBO's Commitment to Environmental Sustainability and Emissions Reduction

At FNBO, we understand that our role as a strong community bank places us in a unique position to positively impact individuals and communities. Banks can help communities succeed by providing financial advice and guidance, giving loans to individuals and businesses, investing in community partners, and by supporting its employees, but a bank can also help communities succeed by taking measures to be more environmentally sustainable. That’s why positively impacting the environment has been one of our community goals for nearly a decade now.  

With over 100 buildings across our eight-state footprint, FNBO’s Property Management Team plays a major role in reducing the bank’s emissions. The team’s responsibilities range from the construction, renovation, and maintenance of all FNBO buildings to the management of landscape upkeep, utilities consumption, and recycling/waste diversion programs. Each responsibility presents multiple opportunities for the Property Management Team to continue to implement sustainable practices that can improve our impact on the environment today and for years to come.

FNBO’s Environmental Impact Today and in the Future

FNBO is committed to making substantial progress in its sustainability efforts by 2035. Our goals include reaching net zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, reducing water use by 20%, and achieving a 90% waste diversion rate in our corporate buildings. We’ve already achieved a 34% reduction in emissions to date, a testament to the effectiveness of our ongoing initiatives.

Our efforts to reduce emissions are bolstered by significant upgrades across our facilities. These include switching to LED lighting both inside and outside, installing occupancy sensors, and implementing light harvesting systems. Additionally, we’ve made substantial mechanical system upgrades, such as integrating building control systems, fan walls, variable drives, and electronic controls, alongside redesigning above-ceiling equipment. A major strategy has also been to our real estate rationalization, which includes the adoption of modern, flexible workspaces.

Water management is another critical focus area for us. FNBO uses approximately 76 million gallons of water each year, with irrigation accounting for about 67% of the total. To address this, we’re installing smart irrigation systems and low-flow fixtures during remodels and lifecycle replacements. We're also evaluating water harvesting technologies and exploring a shift in landscape design, such as moving to native plants, expanding hardscapes to reduce turf, and reducing the number of spray irrigation heads.

Waste management has seen significant improvements as well. FNBO has introduced two new streams to our waste diversion program in corporate locations: compost and soft plastic recycling.  A recent audit revealed that the waste diversion rate on an average office floor within our tower has reached 67%, a sharp increase from the 35% baseline in the first quarter of 2020. These improvements reflect our dedicated approach to sustainability across all aspects of our operations.

You Can Make a Difference

Making a positive impact on the environment is something everyone can contribute to, with opportunities both at home and in the workplace.

Consider these simple yet effective steps to reduce your environmental footprint:

• Turn off lights and electronics when not in use to save energy.
• Opt for digital documents over printed ones to reduce paper use.
• Recycle materials like paper, cardboard, aluminum, and plastics whenever possible.
• Swap out single-use items such as Styrofoam cups and plastic utensils for reusable or recycled alternatives.
• Adjust your home thermostat by a degree or two to conserve energy—dress accordingly to stay comfortable.
• Utilize natural light to cut down on electricity use.
• Grow a garden to absorb carbon dioxide and provide fresh produce.
• Make energy-saving home repairs, such as sealing drafts around doors and windows, enhancing insulation, and fixing leaky faucets.
• Choose eco-friendly cleaning products that are gentler on the planet.

Every action counts, and collectively, they can lead to substantial environmental change.