Bank of Valletta joined millions of people and organisations worldwide to mark the 20th edition of Earth Hour, a global initiative organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to raise awareness about climate change and environmental issues impacting people across the world.

On Saturday, 28th March, the Bank contributed by symbolically switching off non-essential lights for 60 minutes, from 20:30 to 21:30, at some of its main premises.

This supports the Bank’s current programme to implement sustainable initiatives across the organisation. In recent years, the Bank has introduced several such initiatives, including installing solar panels at branches, introducing electric vehicle charging stations at the Bank’s Head Office, using second-class water at the BOV Centre thanks to two large reservoirs with a total capacity of approximately 600,000 litres, and installing intelligent lighting across various premises. Other initiatives include focused campaigns such as the Bring Your Own Container campaign and dedicated BCRS waste bins at the Bank’s Head Office, Volunteering Day activities supporting clean ups across the island, and other CSR activities held throughout the year.

Bank of Valletta continues to invest significantly in incorporating sustainable features into its projects to ensure the highest levels of efficiency. This includes wall and roof insulation, double-glazing windows, intelligent lighting, renewable energy sources such as PV systems, and efficient Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, which are now integrated with a Building Management System (BMS) at the BOV Centre and newly refurbished branches and offices. This will optimise energy consumption by 15–30%, whilst ensuring employees' comfort through smart automation. The BMS uses sensors, controllers, and real-time monitoring to control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, enabling proactive, data-driven management.

For the ongoing Żejtun and Qormi Branch projects, the Bank has commissioned studies modelling the carbon footprint before and after refurbishment, with the initial findings indicating that both projects are expected to reduce up to 100 tonnes of carbon annually, compared to the present situation.

Ernest Agius, BOV Chief Operations Officer, stated that the Bank’s participation in Earth Hour aligns with its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles and reinforces its role as a responsible corporate organisation and supports its role as a founding member of the Malta ESG Alliance. “At Bank of Valletta, our commitment goes beyond this yearly symbolic important gesture. Environmental sustainability is among our top strategic priorities, and we remain committed to leading by example from an ESG perspective by integrating sustainable practices into every aspect of our operations.”