Polaris Bank Takes CSR to the Beach

As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability in the country, Polaris Bank, one of the leading digital retail banks in the country recently held its maiden ‘Beach Clean-up Initiative’, Sunday Ehigiator reports

Polaris Bank, one of Nigeria’s leading digital retail banks penultimate week held its maiden ‘beach clean-up initiative’ as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability in the country. 

The clean-up initiative which was held at the Elegushi Beach in Lekki, Lagos was in collaboration with an environment-focused non-government organisation, Africa Clean-Up Initiative (ACI).

Before the beach clean-up, the bank had earlier on June 5 during the 2023 edition of World Environment Day, restated its commitment to playing its quota in the actualisation of a clean, safe, and hygienic environment. 

The theme of the 2023 World Environment Day was ‘Solutions to plastic pollution.’ Plastic pollution is a major environmental problem. Every year, millions of tonnes of plastic waste end up in oceans, landfills, and waterways. These plastics can harm wildlife, pollute air and water, and contribute to climate change.

Specifically, and in line with the theme of the 2023 World Environment Day, Polaris Bank took proactive measures to address challenges of waste management and plastic pollution while supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles (NSBPs) and United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI’s) Principles of Responsible Banking.

 “In managing the environmental impact of its activities, Polaris Bank has made significant efforts to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Through the use of solar energy to power security lights, some ATMs, and business locations, as well as implementing automated systems and digital alternatives to paper output, the bank actively mitigates waste generation and reduces its carbon footprint.

“To further minimise its carbon footprint, Polaris Bank has streamlined its vehicle fleet, while most meetings and engagements are held virtually. By prioritising sustainable energy sources and expanding its network of ATMs, including prestigious off-site locations, the Bank ensures convenient and eco-friendly access to banking services,” the bank said in a statement marking World Environmental Day in June. 

Speaking during the clean-up exercise at Elegushi Beach penultimate week, The bank’s Group Head, Talent, and Culture, Oyiza Salu, said the bank was demonstrating its thoroughness on the safety of the environment and also helping staff bond and connect freely.

“Polaris Bank has a sustainability agenda and we are following closely on delivery of same. Ensuring that we save the ocean is an initiative that the bank is partnering with relevant NGOs and other stakeholders to ensure that we live up to our value of sustainability because we are here today and we would be here tomorrow, as an enterprise. We want to leave a better life and world behind. Most importantly for us, it is team building, bonding, and connecting as individuals in the organization. As we work on driving the culture of inclusivity, and delivery on promise to customers, it is also important that we come together as a team to add value to our communities.”

Salu while calling for improved awareness of environmental responsibilities charged Nigerians to be deliberate in their disposition to maintaining a healthy environment. 

“There has to be a lot of awareness, individual responsibilities, behaviourial change not just as a nation but as individuals. We owe it to generation to come that they meet a world they can live and live comfortably in,” she said. 

Also speaking, the Head, Sustainability and Customer Protection of the bank, Yemi Akinrelere said the bank’s Beach Clean-up initiative was its way of giving back to the environment.

“The Polaris Beach Clean-Up initiative is what we do in the form of giving back to our environment where we operate and also make our environment clean. The record shows that over 400 million tonnes of plastic is being generated as waste worldwide. Out of which 2.5 million is being generated in Nigeria annually. 15 per cent of waste generated in Lagos State is plastic.

“The theme for World Environmental Day 2023 is the solution to plastic pollution. How do we provide this solution? Speaking to people, talking about it in our air-conditioned offices is not just enough. So we decided to go out there and showcase what we need to do. Our ocean needs to be saved, hence our ‘save our ocean’ slogan for this clean-up exercise.

“That is why we came out today as employees of Polaris Bank to go to the communities where we operate to clean the beach and save our ocean from pollutants. And members of the communities were happy seeing us do this and I’m sure they must have learnt the importance of proper disposal of their wastes. And this won’t just be a one-off thing. We’ll hold similar exercises in other communities to ensure that we drive home our message of saving our environment to a wider audience.”

According to her, the Polaris Bank is also exploring other environmental interventions apart from cleaning up beaches. 

“Apart from beaches, there are other environmental issues that we’ll deal with. The Polaris Brand tries as much as possible to ensure that we reduce our diesel use. We make use of alternate energy sources such as solar to power our offices and ATMs to reduce burning fossil fuel and its impact on the environment which in the long run causes climate change issues. In the nearest future, we’ll partner organisations like Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) for more positive and impactful environmental interventions.”

Sharing his thoughts after the clean up exercise at the beach, the Founder and CEO of Africa Clean-up Initiative, the NGO Partner of Polaris Bank, Dr. Alexander Akhigbe, applauded the collaboration and partnership with the bank.

According to Dr. Akhigbe, “We are working together with Polaris Bank to make a positive impact on marine life and ecosystems thereby fostering a cleaner and more sustainable environment for all.”