TD Bank Financial Group operations in Canada, the United States and international locations are now carbon neutral, the bank said Thursday.

“This is a significant milestone but we know there is still a lot to do,” says Karen Clarke-Whistler, chief environment officer, TD.

“Thanks to the terrific effort of our employees as well as the helpful input we’ve received from environmental and community groups, TD is the first North American-based bank — and one of only a few banks in the world — to reach a carbon neutral goal. We look forward to engaging with key stakeholders as we continue to work on environmental issues,” she adds.

In April 2008, TD became the first bank in Canada to announce a goal of becoming carbon neutral in its domestic operations in 2010. Since then, TD has expanded its plans to include its international locations and its U.S. personal and commercial banking business — TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank — which is made up of more than 1,000 stores and 2,600 ATMs from Maine to Florida.

TD reached its carbon neutral goal with three approaches: energy efficiency; renewable energy and

The bank has taken significant steps to improve the energy efficiency of its operations. Energy efficiency actions account for approximately 10% of the bank’s carbon emissions reductions, and TD’s goal is to increase this percentage in the future.

TD is using its corporate purchasing power to facilitate development of new renewable energy sources such as wind and low impact water power. Since 2009, TD has been purchasing renewable energy certificates equivalent to the electricity consumed by TD’s operations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, plus its network of bank machines. In the U.S., TD is purchasing renewable energy certificates equivalent to 10% of its electricity consumption this year.

TD is neutralizing its remaining emissions by generating local carbon offset credits through investments with social partners like Habitat for Humanity Canada, Greening Canada Fund, and Tree Canada. TD is also purchasing offsets from Zerofootprint and Carbon Zero in Canada, and Blue Source and NextEra Energy Resources in the U.S. The U.S. credits will also be used to reduce TD’s international footprint.

IE