WSE considers environmental protection to be a pillar of a modern and competitive institution present on the European capital market.

In 2013, WSE performed an internal analysis and defined its key areas of direct environmental impact. Given that the Company is active in the financial industry, these are limited to the following: waste management and recycling; paper consumption; water consumption; energy consumption; fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. Based on the analysis, Warsaw Stock Exchange developed its environmental policy which defines the Company’s key directions and actions necessary to limit its environmental impact.

Furthermore, in view of its activity and role on the Polish capital market, WSE may indirectly impact the environment by promoting good behaviour of issuers and investors, as well as through promotion of and education on responsible investments.

Waste Management and Recycling

According to WSE’s Waste Management Procedure WSE consigns solid waste for treatment by recycling or disposal. WSE produced 13.4 tons of waste in 2013. Decommissioned computer hardware is sold to the Company’s employees at auctions. Three auctions were held in 2013 and 167 pieces of hardware were sold.

Paper Consumption

WSE has in place an Electronic Document System, operational since 2011, which has largely reduced the consumption of paper within the Exchange. Employees receive electronic pay slips (SAP). Furthermore, in 2013, work was initiated in order to implement a procedure which limits the quantity of hard copies within WSE among others by requiring Exchange employees to ensure double-side printing and implementing solutions to re-use single-side printed paper.

Water Consumption

As the administrator of the office building which houses WSE’s head office and as an affiliate of WSE Group, Centrum Giełdowe has in place advanced environmental solutions which reduce water consumption. The solutions were implemented as early as the architectural design work on the building, in which WSE was actively involved. All water taps are equipped with aerators which reduce water consumption. In addition, the water cascade along the eastern façade of the building uses a closed circuit as well as water treatment. In 2013, the Exchange introduced communication targeting employees and visitors to promote environmental behaviour with regard to water consumption.

Energy Consumption

Centrum Giełdowe has in place advanced environmental solutions which reduce energy consumption. Offices are equipped only with lamps whose energy consumption is lower than that of traditional light bulbs and halogen lamps. The operation of lifts is optimised and the underground car park is heated with air pumped out of offices. WSE’s head office is equipped with a Building Management System (BMS) which controls installations within the building and consequently optimises the consumption of heat, power, water, air (ventilators) and ice water for air-conditioning. BMS supports programming of lighting in offices and corridors, which is automatically switched off at 8 p.m. throughout the building. In addition, in May 2013, WSE installed motion detectors in the toilets.

Given the profile of its business, WSE’s high power consumption is driven by the trading system and its infrastructure. In April 2013, WSE replaced its trading system Warset with a platform which conforms to the world’s highest technological parameters – UTP. According to WSE’s estimates, the power consumption of the entire UTP infrastructure is 20% lower compared to Warset.

Fuel Consumption and CO₂ Emissions

WSE’s car fleet only includes vehicles which conform to applicable emission standards (EURO-4 or EURO-5). According to legal requirements, WSE pays environmental fees (for business cars).