BNI Syariah recognizes that environmentally sustainable development is crucial for human as well as business progression. Both companies and individuals have a responsibility to preserve the environment for the next generation which is why BNI Syariah has made its corporate social responsibility programs focused on the environment as well as public health. The bank’s CSR program therefore has the long term objective of ensuring business continuity for BNI Syariah’s clients.
As an Islamic bank, BNI Syariah focuses on not only shariah compliant banking but also on best practices which involves caring for the surrounding environment and community. This is manifested in the ‘Commitment to Humanity’ theme for its CSR activities with the core pillars of education, economic empowerment, health and environment. Since January 2013, BNI Syariah has undertaken urban forestry development in Pekalongan, Central Java as well as planting mangroves in Tanjung Pasir, Tangerang and in Penjaringan, Jakarta. For Earth Day, BNI Syariah distributed seeds for planting trees to the surrounding communities of its national branches as well as sponsoring a car free day in central Jakarta.
The bank’s environmental conservation work serves to complement the goal of economic empowerment. For example, mangrove tree planting provides the means for economic development and a sustainable income for surrounding communities as well as other benefits for the protection of coastal areas. Such CSR programs are implemented in conjunction with the bank’s Zakat Unit for the channeling of zakat funds. These funds are allocated selectively in alignment with the eight zakat principles.
BNI Syariah employees are also encouraged to take advantage of public transport facilities in order to contribute to reducing pollution on every 22nd day of the month. A competition was also introduced to encourage this practice whereby the employee with the most photographs of themselves on public transport wins a prize. Also on the 22nd of each month, all BNI Syariah offices are required to turn off their lights for one hour a day across the bank’s 216 outlets.
Within the field of economic empowerment, BNI Syariah launched a cooperative for informal garbage collectors or ‘scavengers’ in Bekasi, West Java. Through the cooperative the scavengers are able to recycle what they collect and earn a steady income. Through the Zakat Unit, BNI Syariah also offers a program to train students on how to be entrepreneurs within the poultry and culinary sectors.
The bank also works together with the Indonesian Red Cross for blood collection drives across the country. Donation events were held at 64 of the bank’s branches involving all staff members as well as customers. Within education, BNI Syariah has channeled funds for the renovation of schools in a number of areas including in North Semarang and will continue to do this further in the future.
