Our aim is sustainable office building management

As Germany's largest environmental and climate bank, KfW Bankengruppe has set itself the target of keeping its emission values even lower than the permissible limits and surpassing current standards in its own office buildings. KfW intends to lead the way in the use of new energy-saving technologies.

All facility management decisions are based on strict criteria. One of our fundamental objectives is sustainable construction, which as well as protecting the ecosystem and future resources also offers low-cost structures.

KfW's operations have already been carbon-neutral for several years. We procure only certified green electricity for our 4,300-strong workforce, which makes a major contribution to CO2 abatement (9,400 tonnes per year). Sustainable facility management calls for the use of energy-saving systems and equipment. Whenever we invest in new buildings we always ensure that the facilities in place incorporate the latest innovations, in order to reduce consumption, costs and emissions.

One example is the 'East Arcade' office building at our Frankfurt site, where heat is generated mainly through solar power and renewables. Modern, highly-efficient evacuated tube collectors are used to produce hot water, and support heating of the residential facilities. A large proportion of the heat required is provided by a wood pellet system that does not burden the atmosphere with the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.

The stringent criteria that KfW implements in its technically and ecologically sophisticated concepts are also reflected in the use of photovoltaic systems and block-type thermal power stations run on natural gas. The best possible use is made of daylight by controlling the lighting using light redirection, and by only adding artificial light as necessary if there are people present.

Or let's examine the topic of "water" as an example, where KfW is making a key contribution to conserving resources. Using a combination of vacuum drainage, water treatment and rainwater harvesting, we make use of every opportunity to conserve drinking water as an increasingly valuable resource. Only what is known as "black water" is fed into the sewer system. "Grey water" (slightly soiled water from hand basins, kitchens, etc.) and rainwater are completely reused, for example as a coolant for technical purposes, for room maintenance or for toilet flushing. The use of vacuum technology is modelled on aircraft. The toilets have been equipped with the latest in vacuum technology in order to combine the rational and therefore ecologically economical use of water with the best possible comfort. Vacuum toilets only use one sixth of the water used in standard toilets. They also use grey water.

Another goal in connection with the sustainable management of our own buildings is to minimise energy consumption in terms of primary energy requirements. In its Ostarkade building, for example, KfW has reduced its primary energy requirement by 70% to 125 kWh per square metre. One key element is the upflow ventilation, where cold air flows into the building at night via the opened façades while the warm air rises out via an atrium.The stringent criteria that KfW implements in its technically and ecologically sophisticated concepts are also reflected in the use of photovoltaic systems and block-type thermal power stations run on natural gas. The best possible use is made of daylight by controlling the lighting using light redirection, and by only adding artificial light as necessary if there are people present.