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Hellenic Bank Awarded Dual Environmental Certifications for Sustainability Efforts

Hellenic Bank has received dual environmental certifications this year, affirming its ongoing commitment to environmental protection and energy management.

The bank successfully completed the certification process for its Environmental Management System in line with the international ISO 14001 standard, as well as its Energy Management System under the ISO 50001 standard.

“With these two distinctions, Hellenic Bank has become the largest bank in Cyprus to achieve ISO 14001 certification, and remains the only bank in the country certified under ISO 50001 for all of its operations and activities across its buildings nationwide,” the bank said.

“These international standards, issued by the International Organisation for Standardisation, are recognised tools for effectively managing environmental impacts and for the continuous improvement of an organisation’s environmental performance.”

The announcement also mentioned that Hellenic Bank has held ISO 50001 certification since 2015, becoming the first organisation in Cyprus to receive it from the Cyprus Certification Company.

The Energy Management System provides a structured approach for the continuous improvement of energy performance, usage, and consumption.

The goal of this management approach is to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent by the year 2030.

MOREOVER, the bank mentioned that the ISO 14001 certification “reinforces Hellenic Bank’s longstanding commitment to environmental protection, reducing its environmental footprint, and complying with relevant laws, regulations, and high environmental standards”.

“Hellenic Bank’s environmental strategy forms a central pillar of its corporate responsibility and is an integral part of its broader business strategy,” it added.

The dual certification now serves as a guide for adopting a holistic approach to managing environmental issues,” the announcement concluded.

Cyprus Ranks Among EU Leaders In Tertiary-Educated ICT Workforce

High Educational Attainment Sets Cyprus Apart

Recent data from Eurostat showed that Cyprus is expected to rank among the leading European countries for tertiary-educated ICT professionals in 2025. According to the figures, 96.4% of ICT professionals in Cyprus are projected to hold tertiary education qualifications, placing the country among the highest-ranked members of the European Union.

Gender Disparity Remains A Critical Challenge

Despite the high level of educational attainment, the ICT workforce in Cyprus continues to show a significant gender imbalance. Men are projected to account for 85.1% of ICT employees in 2025, while women are expected to represent 14.9% of the sector. In 2024, the split stood at 70.9% for men and 29.1% for women. The figures highlighted a widening gender gap within the country’s ICT workforce.

European Union Trends And Comparative Analysis

Across the European Union, the number of ICT professionals is projected to increase to 3.4 million in 2025 from 3.2 million in 2024, representing annual growth of 5.1%. Men are expected to account for 83.4% of ICT employment across the bloc, equivalent to approximately 2.8 million workers, while women are projected to represent 16.6%.

National Performance Variability In Gender Representation

Countries within the EU show a varied landscape: the highest percentages of male ICT professionals are reported in the Czech Republic (92.9%), Slovenia (89.1%), Latvia (89.0%), Lithuania (88.9%), and Slovakia (88.4%). On the contrary, nations such as Denmark (30.0%), Sweden (29.8%), Romania (28.6%), Bulgaria (25.6%), and Croatia (25.2%) lead in female participation in the ICT arena.

Educational Background Across The European ICT Sector

Eurostat data also showed that most ICT professionals across the EU hold tertiary education qualifications. By 2025, 74.8% of ICT workers in the bloc are projected to have university-level education, while 25.2% are expected to hold secondary or post-secondary qualifications. Denmark recorded the highest share of tertiary-educated ICT professionals at 97.7%, followed by France at 96.6% and Cyprus at 96.4%. Other countries with high levels of tertiary-educated ICT workers included Ireland at 92.3%, Bulgaria at 91.1%, and Croatia at 90.9%. At the lower end of the ranking, Italy recorded 69.2%, while Portugal stood at 58.8%.

Conclusion

The data perfectly encapsulates the dual narrative in the ICT sector: while countries like Cyprus and Denmark achieve remarkable educational standards among ICT workers, persistent gender disparities remind us that diversity remains an ongoing challenge. As the ICT landscape continues to evolve, strategic policy formation and corporate governance will be pivotal in balancing excellence with inclusivity.

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