Environmental Management

Water Management

The protection and efficient use of water resources are among the fundamental elements of the environmental sustainability approach. Ziraat Katilim addresses water use on a necessity basis and adopts the principle of limiting preventable consumption and managing it within operational discipline. Water efficiency practices are based on reducing direct consumption, utilizing alternative water sources, and maintaining controlled use processes.

Water consumption is monitored regularly, data are evaluated, and necessary improvement actions are planned. Duties and responsibilities related to water management are carried out within the defined organizational structure. Construction Management is responsible for the implementation of practices, Service Management is responsible for monitoring consumption data, and the Sustainability Department Management is responsible for reporting. Water used in operations is supplied from the municipal water network.

Water Efficiency Practices

Building infrastructure and facility design are among the main elements that limit operational water consumption and support efficiency. Water efficiency-oriented designs and applications implemented in previous periods continued to be maintained in operational continuity as of 2025 and contributed to keeping water consumption arising from building use at controlled levels. The existing infrastructure continues to be operated in a way that supports efficiency in indoor water use.

Technical applications for water efficiency are available at the Ziraat Towers complex, where the Head Office building is located. Efficient water fixtures compliant with the criteria of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were used in the building, and systems were installed to reuse greywater in reservoirs. Landscaping areas were designed with plants requiring low water consumption, and efficient irrigation systems were used. In addition, drainage water obtained from air conditioning systems is collected and reused for irrigation. In this way, landscape irrigation needs are met through alternative water sources, and additional water withdrawal is limited.

Operational water management is not limited only to buildings and landscaping areas. In the cooling systems of the Esenyurt Data Center operating within the scope of the information technology infrastructure, no water is used, and an air-to-air indirect economiser air conditioning system is preferred. Thanks to this structure, additional environmental impact related to water consumption in data center operations is prevented.

Preserving water efficiency gains and identifying potential risk areas at an early stage are also part of the water management approach. Within the existing operational structure, the Bank continues to monitor water consumption and to evaluate improvement areas while maintaining practices that support water efficiency.

Waste Management

Waste management practices are carried out in line with the objectives of regulatory compliance, efficient use of resources, and reduction of environmental impacts arising from the Bank's operational activities. Preventing waste generation, limiting waste at the source, directing waste to recycling processes through separation, and integrating zero waste practices into operational processes are among the main priorities in this area. At the same time, increasing recycling rates and reducing waste generation are taken as the basis in waste management practices.

Across the Bank, waste management and zero waste practices are carried out within the scope of the Zero Waste Management System at the Head Office and at branches with appropriate infrastructure. Service Management is responsible for the implementation of waste management practices, monitoring and reporting waste-related data, and tracking the targets set. The Zero Waste Certificate has been obtained for the Head Office and certain branches, and the scope of the certificate is reviewed regularly, with efforts continuing to expand its coverage. As of 2025, expansion of the certificate scope is planned in line with the targeted performance.

Practices carried out within the scope of the Zero Waste Management System are based on the separation of waste generated from operational activities at the source in accordance with the Zero Waste Regulation. The main types of waste generated across the Bank consist of paper, plastic, glass, metal, domestic waste, and electronic waste. Recyclable waste is directed to licensed recycling companies, while non-recyclable waste is disposed of using methods compliant with the relevant legislation. These processes are carried out in compliance with regulations through local authorities and relevant stakeholders.

Waste management processes are monitored by the relevant units and reported regularly. As of 2025, waste management practices remain up to date in order to reduce waste generation and increase resource efficiency, and digitalization practices, paperless banking processes, and electronic document management activities continue within this scope. Data related to waste generation are monitored and reported regularly through digital systems, and recycling performance is evaluated to identify improvement areas.