Access Bank Cuts Paper Usage by 72%, Installs 974 Solar-Powered ATMs

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Access Bank has continued to embed climate risk considerations across its governance structure, operations, and financial decision-making processes.

The lender has implemented a range of climate-focused initiatives including the measurement and reporting of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, adoption of the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) model for financed emissions, and application of global reporting frameworks such as Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the recently launched International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) S1 and S2 standards.

To date, the bank has installed over 974 solar-powered ATMs, reduced paper usage by more than 72 per cent through process automation, and achieved a 50 per cent reduction in landfill waste at its headquarters through comprehensive recycling initiatives.

Its Sustainable Finance Accelerator programme has supported numerous businesses in the climate space, providing funding, capacity building, and technical assistance. The bank has also reached over 63 million lives through social investments.

Recently, in demonstration of its leadership in sustainable finance, the bank’s Executive Director for Risk Management at Access Bank, Dr Greg Jobome, in his presentation at the unveiling of the Climate Governance Initiative Nigeria (CGIN) Chapter at the Lagos Business School, noted that climate change is a standing agenda item at both board and executive management levels, with dedicated policies and systems in place to monitor and manage its impact.

He disclosed that climate considerations are integrated into credit approvals, capital expenditure planning, and the development of green financial products like Switch to Solar, Solar for Health, and mini-grid solutions targeted at supporting energy transition and low-carbon growth.

“Access Bank’s climate risk journey reflects a long-standing commitment to building a sustainable institution. We recognised early that climate risk is financial risk. We did not wait for regulation; instead, we acted proactively. That decision has made our institution more resilient and positioned us to unlock new growth opportunities,” Mr Jobome said.

CGIN was formally launched as part of the World Economic Forum’s global network to promote climate-conscious decision-making in corporate boardrooms.

The event brought together board members, C-suite executives, regulators, and sustainability experts to strengthen climate governance and drive corporate responsibility in addressing climate change.

Access Bank operates in 24 countries and serves over 60 million customers, with more than 18.5 million digital banking users and over 800 branches. The bank has a capital adequacy ratio of 20.46 per cent for its banking group and maintains a broad international footprint, including branches in Paris and subsidiaries in Angola.

Access Bank has also issued Green and Sustainability Bonds and is the first commercial bank in Africa to be certified by the Sustainability Standards and Certification Initiative.