Report released during Earth Week 2009
Published 07-21-09
Submitted by Citi
From offsetting carbon emissions for passengers of a European airline through hydro-power in South America to financing the largest wind farm in the United States, Citi is making strong progress towards reaching its 10-year $50 billion climate change initiative targets set in 2007. In Citi's 2008 Citizenship Report released today, the bank announced that the value of its wide-ranging portfolio of climate-related activities had reached $17.78* billion.
Citi's eighth annual Citizenship Report also focuses on the bank's global performance through its business activities, the Citi Foundation, its employee volunteers and diversity. The report is available online only at http://www.citigroup.com/citi/citizen/annualreport08.htm.
The projects counted as part of the 2008 commitment total $3.98* billion and include:
Andrew Ditton, Co-head of Citi Community Capital, said, 'The creation of the Green Energy Community Investment Fund along with Helio Micro Utility provides us with an opportunity to bring affordable green energy solutions to low and moderate income areas. Energy is a major concern across all communities, especially in light of the current economic climate; renewable energy solutions, such as solar-power adoption, are crucial to stabilizing energy costs.'
Other highlights of the report include:
Note to editors:
*Two types of transactions are counted in the methodology by which Citi identifies and counts projects: activities that contribute to or result in GHG reductions relative to exiting technology or existing facilities (for example, the financing of wind power or the retrofitting of a facility with more efficient equipment) and transitional technologies that will be critical building blocks to achieving GHG reductions in the future (for example, through coal gasification). An internal advisory group has been formed to help our business and operations units apply this methodology and identify new projects, products and services that confirm to our 'climate positive' criteria.
In May 2007, Citi announced it would direct $50 billion over 10 years to address global climate change through investments, financings and related activities to support the commercialization and growth of alternative energy and clean technology among the clients and markets it serves, as well as within its own businesses and operations. Citi said then that the $50 billion target was a realistic estimate based on market-based activities and transactions with clients as well as energy saving, "green" projects within Citi's own operations. The target included nearly $10 billion in activities Citi had already undertaken to address climate change, and was the latest example of Citi's ongoing efforts in the broader environmental arena, including investments to control its own environmental footprint, advice to clients on risks and opportunities, and policy engagement.
Citi, the leading global financial services company, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 140 countries. Through its two operating units, Citicorp and Citi Holdings, Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com .
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