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Environmental management

Our commitment

At CaixaBank, we protect the environment when we are performing our activities. We implement the best environmental and energy practices in accordance with our Sustainability Principles .

Our 2022-2024 Sustainable Banking Plan  includes the 2022-2024 Environmental Management Plan, with eight action plans aimed at reducing the direct impact of our activity as a Group:

  1. Governance in Environmental Management
  2. Climate Change: operational carbon footprint, renewable energy consumption and offset of emissions
  3. Environmentally-friendly purchasing and contracting
  4. Environmentally-friendly catalogue of non-financial products
  5. Commitment to circular economy
  6. Sustainable Mobility Plan
  7. Promotion of efficiency
  8. Renewal of voluntary certifications and extension of the perimeter


With this aim in mind, we have defined the following objectives with indicators for each year of the Plan with the perimeter of Scope 1 and 2 for the CaixaBank Group and the Scope 3 concepts detailed in the section on calculating the Carbon Footprint for CaixaBank, S.A: 

OBJECTIVE

INDICATORS

2022
Objective

2022
Real

2023
Objective

2023
Real

2024
Objective

Carbon footprint minimization and offsetting

 

Scope 1 (vs 20211)

-7%

-10%

-10%

-21%

-15%

Scope 2 (vs 2021)

-100%

-100%

-100%

-100%

-100%

Scope 3 operational (vs 20212)

-12%

-38%

-15%

-35%

-18%

Reduction in CO2 emissions (vs 2021)

-12.9%

-31.74%

-16%

-33%

-19%

Carbon Neutral 3. Scope 1, 2 and 3 operational CO2 emissions reduced (vs  2021)

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100% renewable energy consumption

Consumption of renewable energy

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Reduction of paper consumption/waste

Reduction of A4 paper consumption (vs 2021)

 -8%

-34.6%

-12%

-27,7%

-15% 

Implementation of energy efficiency measures

Saving in energy consumed (vs 2021)

-6%

-14.1%

 -8%

-22,8%

-10% 

Renewal of certifications and extension of the perimeter

Environmental certifications in main buildings (vs 11 certifications 20214)

2

2

3

3

4


1. The targets related to reducing emissions in scopes 1 and 2, the Carbon Neutral target, 100% renewable energy consumption and its reduction and the number of certifications take into account the entire Group (including 16 subsidiaries) and scope 3 and the reduction in paper consumption are limited to CaixaBank, S.A.

2. For the calculation of the scope 1 target, CaixaBank’s cooling gas emissions data take the average for the period 2019-2021 as the baseline year.

3. The scope 3 (operational) target was calculated by taking into consideration the calculation perimeter prior to the rescaled operational carbon footprint, including various scope 3 categories irrespective of which are material. The corporate travel issuance data, included in this target pertain to CaixaBank, S.A. and take as the baseline year 2019 (prior to COVID-19 restrictions).

4. The carbon neutral perimeter includes the CaixaBank Group's scopes 1, 2 and 3.6 (corporate travel). Emissions that could not be avoided, and offset them by purchasing credits on the voluntary emissions offset market, as explained in the section Carbon footprint mitigation strategy.

5. In 2022 CaixaBank sold the certified building located at Paseo de la Castellana 51, transferring most of its employees to the building at Castellana 189, which is also ISO 14001 certified. The baseline data on which we assess the targets has changed to 10 certifications on which two new buildings belonging to BPI were added in 2022 and a third belonging thereto in 2023.

More information in our Climate Report

Management of climate change

Financial entities have a key role to play in achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). In February 2019, CaixaBank approved its Climate Change Declaration, which aims to contribute to the transition to a low carbon and socially fair economy, while promoting sustainable economic growth and development.

One of the areas of action in the Climate Change Declaration is to reduce the CO2 emissions from our activities and offset those that cannot be avoided, in accordance with our Carbon Neutral Plan.

Carbon Neutral Strategy

The strategy of the entity to achieve the neutrality of emissions is based on the measurement and reduction of emissions and on the compensation of those that we cannot avoid.

01. Calculation of our operational carbon footprint

icono flecha

02. Reduction of CO2 emissions

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03. Offsetting of unavoidable emissions

01. Calculation of our operational carbon footprint

CaixaBank S.A. prepares an annual inventory of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from its activities. This is used to calculate its carbon footprint and establish actions to gradually reduce it.

In 2022, the Group performed a materiality analysis with the goal of determining the relevance of indirect GHG emissions categories (scope 3), in order to determine the operational limits to be included in the Group's carbon footprint in the forthcoming years. The scope of the materiality analysis comprised 16 Group companies representing 99.4% of CaixaBank Group employees. The analysis shows that the sole relevant category in this scope, with a weight of 99% of total Scope 3 emissions, is category 3.15, which corresponds to financed emissions. 

However, the following categories were also defined as materials: considering both its volume of associated emissions and the possibilities to influence their control and reduction.

  • 3.1 Purchase of goods and services
  • 3.2 Purchase of capital goods
  • 3.3 Fuel and energy-related activities
  • 3.6 Corporate trips


With the conclusions of the materiality analysis, a new perimeter of calculation of the operational carbon footprintthat includes the globality of emissions from the categories defined as materials for all the Group.

> OPERATIONAL CARBON FOOTPRINT (TCO₂EQ)

CaixaBank

GrupCaixaBank

2021

23.912

28.186

2022

20.885

24.835

2023

20.665

24.400

The following table shows both the emissions associated with the Old Perimeter for calculating the Entity's Operational Carbon Footprint (basis to verify the achievement of the objectives of the Environmental Management Plan) and the New Material Perimeter.

The main difference of this New Perimeter is reflected in categories 3.1 Purchases of goods and services and 3.2 Purchases of capital goods, where 80% of the statement amount has been taken as a basis global of all operating expenses and Investments of the Entity, considerably expanding the concepts included in these categories with respect to the old calculation perimeter.

CaixaBank Group operational carbon footprint (TCO2EQ)

Item Source CaixaBank S.A.

CaixaBank Group
Scope 1  Combustion in fixed sources Boilers or emergency equipment Gas oil C 290.82 467.92
Natural gas 621.62 654.55
Propane gas 3.56 3.56
Combustion in mobile sources Rental vehicles 395.90 3,858.33
Cooling gas leaks Cooling gases 3,376.72 3,438.98
Scope 2 Market-based method — —
Location-based method 21,082.12 29,383.94
Electricity self-consumption — —
Scope 3 3.1 Purchase of goods and services OPEX 63,566.73 158,000.89
3.2 Capital goods CAPEX 43,338.53 46,755.71
3.3 Fuel and activities Electricity and fuel value chain and
transmission		 3,996.56 6,142.58
3.6 Travel  Aeroplane, train, cars and hotels 9,006.43 10,964.72
Total (Current Perimeter) Scope 1 4,688.62 8,423.34
Scope 2
(Market-based)		 — —
Scope 2 (Location-based) 21,082.12 29,383.94
Scope 3 119,908.25 221,863.91
Total (Market-based) 124,596.86 230,287.25
Total (Location-based) 145,678.98 259,671.20
Total per employee (Market-based) 3.45 5.18
Scope 3 (Former
Perimeter)1		 3.1 Purchase of goods and services Mains water 162.38 162.38
A4 paper  1,649.59 1,649.59
Other paper  2,346.78 2,346.78
Other goods (toner, vinyl and cards) 575.03 575.03
3.2 Capital goods Towers, laptops, monitors and keyboards 979.45 979.45
3.3 Fuel and activities Value chain and transmission of nonrenewable electricity 0.00  0.00
3.4 Waste generation Toner and IT support 1,436.76 1,436.76
3.5 Corporate travel  Aeroplane, train, cars 8,826.88 8,826.88
Total (Former Perimeter)  Scope 1 4,688.62 8,423.34
Scope 2 (Market-based) — —
Scope 2 (Location-based) 21,082.12 29,383.94 
Scope 3 15,976.88  15,976.88
Total (Market-based) 20,665.49 24,400.22 
Total (Location-based) 41,747.61  53,784.16
Total per employee (Market-based) 0.57 0.55 

* The Operational Carbon Footprint data presented in the 2021 Consolidated Management Report included the sum of the historical calculation perimeters of CaixaBank and Bankia, which were not the same. This data has been recalculated with respect to the publication of the 2021Consolidated Management Report in order to unify this perimeter and to be able to compare emissions in 2021, 2022 and 2023, as well as the achievement of the targets set.

1 The calculation of Scope 3 for the old perimeter is only calculated for CaixaBank, S.A.

CaixaBank Group operational carbon footprint (TCO2EQ)

Item Source CaixaBank S.A. CaixaBank Group
Scope 1 Combustion in fixed sources Boilers or emergency equipment Gas oil C 326.46 415.48
Natural gas 791.13 892.75
Propane gas
Combustion in mobile sources Rental vehicles 960.40 4,161.52
Cooling gas leaks Cooling gases 3,548.13 4,106.54
Scope 2 Market-based method — —
Location-based method 31,994.66  42,670.71 
Electricity self-consumption — —
Scope 3 3.1 Purchase of goods and services OPEX 51,980.66 128,005.67 
3.2 Capital goods CAPEX 50,164.90  60,810.78 
3.3 Fuel and activities Electricity and fuel value chain and transmission 4,584.67  6,715.65
3.6 Travel  Aeroplane, train, cars and hotels 5,809.91  6,794.80 
Total (Current Perimeter) Scope 1 5,626.12 9,576.29
Scope 2
(Market-based)		 — —
Scope 2 (Location-based) 31,994.66  42,670.71 
Scope 3 112,540.14  202,326.90 
Total (Market-based) 118,166.26 211,903.19
Total (Location-based) 150,160.92 254,573.90 
Total per employee (Market-based) 3.22  4.80
Scope 3 (Former
Perimeter)1		 3.1 Purchase of goods and services Mains water 153.31 153.31 
A4 paper  2,054.94  2,054.94 
Other paper  3,489.20 3,489.20
Other goods (toner, vinyl and cards) 647.63  647.63
3.2 Capital goods Towers, laptops, monitors and keyboards 1,440.47  1,440.47 
3.3 Fuel and activities Value chain and transmission of nonrenewable electricity — —
3.4 Waste generation Toner and IT support 1,783.20  1,783.20 
3.5 Corporate travel  Aeroplane, train, cars 5,689.98  5,689.98
Total (Former Perimeter) Scope 1  5,626.12 9,576.29
Scope 2 (Market-based) — —
Scope 2 (Location-based)  31,994.66  42,670.71
Scope 3  15,258.72  15,258.72
Total (Market-based) 20,884.84 24,835.02
Total (Location-based) 52,879.50 67,505.72 
Total per employee (Market-based)  0.57 0.56 

* * The Operational Carbon Footprint data presented in the 2021 Consolidated Management Report included the sum of the historical calculation perimeters of CaixaBank and Bankia, which were not the same. This data has been recalculated with respect to the publication of the 2021Consolidated Management Report in order to unify this perimeter and to be able to compare emissions in 2021, 2022 and 2023, as well as the achievement of the targets set.

1 The calculation of Scope 3 for the old perimeter is only calculated for CaixaBank, S.A.

CaixaBank Group operational carbon footprint (TCO2EQ)

Item Source CaixaBank S.A. CaixaBank Group
Scope 1 Combustion in fixed sources Boilers or emergency equipment Gas oil C 682.61 817.43
Natural gas 970.07 1,017.72
Propane gas
Combustion in mobile sources Rental vehicles 1,291.95 4,096.07
Cooling gas leaks Cooling gases 2,818.00 3,326.17
Scope 2 Market-based method 374.17 1,153.55
Location-based method 32,784.12 43,978.80
Electricity self-consumption —  — 
Scope 3 3.1 Purchase of goods and services OPEX 59,185.22  146,723.85 
3.2 Capital goods CAPEX 36,448.54  45,841.97
3.3 Fuel and activities Electricity and fuel value chain and transmission 6,358.27 8,829.47
3.6 Travel Aeroplane, train, cars and hotels 4,473.40 5,038.83 
Total (Current Perimeter) Scope 1 5,762.63 9,257.38
Scope 2 (Market-based) 374.17 1,153.55
Scope 2 (Location-based) 32,784.12 43,978.80
Scope 3 106,465.44 206,434.11
Total (Market-based) 112,602.24 216,845.05
Total (Location-based) 145,012.20 259,670.30
Total per employee (Market-based) 2.64 4.37
Scope 3 (Former
Perimeter)1		 3.1 Purchase of goods and services Mains water 195.14 195.14
A4 paper  3,105.14 3,105.14
Other paper  4,126.67 4,126.67
Other goods (toner, vinyl and cards) 824.34 824.34
3.2 Capital goods Towers, laptops, monitors and keyboards 3,946.41 3,946.41
3.3 Fuel and activities Value chain and transmission of nonrenewable electricity 122.64 122.64
3.4 Waste generation Toner and IT support 1,359.62 1,359.62
3.5 Corporate travel  Aeroplane, train, cars 4,094.93 4,094.93
Total (Former Perimeter) Scope 1 5,762.63 9,257.38
Scope 2 (Market-based)  374.17 1,153.55
Scope 2 (Location-based)  32,784.12 43,978.80
Scope 3 17,774.90 17,774.90
Total (Market-based)  23,911.70 28,185.83
Total (Location-based) 56,321.65 71,011.08
Total per employee (Market-based) 0.56 0.57

* The Operational Carbon Footprint data presented in the 2021 Consolidated Management Report included the sum of the historical calculation perimeters of CaixaBank and Bankia, which were not the same. This data has been recalculated with respect to the publication of the 2021Consolidated Management Report in order to unify this perimeter and to be able to compare emissions in 2021, 2022 and 2023, as well as the achievement of the targets set.

1 The calculation of Scope 3 for the old perimeter is only calculated for CaixaBank, S.A.

One of the milestones reached in 2022 is the certification through Guarantees of Renewable Origin of all the energy consumed by the Group, so that the ZERO EMISSIONS target in Scope 2 has been reached.

CaixaBank has reduced its carbon footprint by 33% since 2021.

We calculate our carbon footprint according to the "The Greenhouse Gas Protocol" and "Corporate Value Chain (scope 3) accounting and reporting standard". The data are verified annually by an independent certifying body in the context of the Statement of Non-financial Information.

Executive Report CaixaBank Carbon Footprint 2022 

02. Reductions

Through the introduction of technological improvements and good environmental practices, we reduce our emissions.

Energy

In recent years, several initiatives at Group level have been implemented to reduce energy consumption, thus contributing to the reduction of Scope 2 emissions in the Carbon Footprint:

  • In recent years, several initiatives have been implemented to reduce consumption in the branch network, based on the savings potential: Replacing fluorescent lights with LED lighting, replacing HVAC equipment with more efficient equipment, presence sensors and automatic light shutoff, single shut-off switches associated with the alarm connection, replacement of computer equipment, etc.
  • The two Data Processing Centres (DPCs) have LEED certification, with the silver and gold category, respectively.
  • In 2023, 21 diesel tanks were removed from the branch network, replacing the existing air conditioning equipment with heat pumps.

 

1,071

Monitored offices

1,130

Remotely managed offices

29

Buildings monitored and/or remotely managed

100

% Of the electrical energy consumed is from certified renewable origin 100% in 2022

22.7

% Reduction in electrical energy consumption compared to 2021

  • In 2023, CaixaBank Group energy consumption fell by 22.77% compared to 2021 (-26.73% if we look exclusively at CaixaBank, S.A.). This reduction was the result of the energy management and saving measures implemented and the synergies derived from the merger, as well as the changes in climate and lighting due to Royal Decree-Law 14/2022 on energy saving and efficiency measures.

> ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION (MWh)

Group electricity consumption per employee

GrupoCaixaBank

CaixaBankS.A.

2021

6.09MWh

302,319

235,857

2022

5.88MWh

259,727

196,182

2023

5.25MWh

233,472

172,804

Paper

In recent years, several initiatives at Group level have been implemented to reduce paper consumption:

  • The digitization project allows digital signatures for 100% of processes.
  • ATMs allow for deposits without an envelope and offer the option to view information on-screen and not print a receipt.
  • Invoicing is done electronically.
  • CaixaBank S.A. has reduced paper consumption associated with sending communications to customers by 31.3% compared to 2021.
  • Reduction of 27.65% in A4 paper consumption in corporate buildings and branches of CaixaBank, S.A. compared to 2021.
  • Reduction and centralisation of printers in multifunctional teams with a user identification system.
  • Commitment to the preferential use of recycled paper, which at CaixaBank S.A. accounts for 98% of consumption.
  • Publications are produced on paper with FSC and PEFC certificates.

PAPER CONSUMPTION (A4)
Tonnes

2023

2022

2021
Paper consumption (T)

902

814.95

1,246.22
Paper consumption per employee

0.02

0.02

00.03

Waste and the circular economy

Waste generation is becoming a serious global problem. This is why CaixaBank considers good waste management to be essential, as well as the transition from linear consumption practices to circular consumption, with the aim of minimizing its Scope 3 emissions in the Carbon Footprint.

The main activities carried out by CaixaBank are as follows:

  • Selective collection allows for waste to be recovered and recycled.
  • In corporate buildings, waste is accounted for and managed by authorized managers. These buildings' cafeterias are free of single-use plastic.
  • Throughout the branch network, municipal selective collection containers are employed for non-hazardous waste (paper, plastic, organic and other), and the hazardous waste is managed by authorised managers through maintenance companies (bulbs, cooling gases, electronic waste, toner, etc.).
  • CaixaBank launches regular awareness campaigns for staff to reduce waste generation.
  • Collection of obsolete cards in the branch network for subsequent recycling.
  • 100% of the cards sold are made from recycled PVC and biodegradable material.
  • CaixaBank has ReUtilízame (ReUseme), a programme that encourages companies to donate surplus materials in good condition to NGOs. The programme is open to customers and, in 2023, 44,457 items were donated, 28 companies participated and 152 NGOs benefited.

The waste data taken into consideration for the calculation of the CaixaBank S.A.'s carbon footprint are shown in the table below:

EXAMPLES OVERALL VOLUME OF WASTE GENERATED

2023

2022

2021

Toner cartridges (units)

34,693

38,040

42,337

IT support (t)

855

984

1,262

    Water

    As an integral part of our environmental strategy, we develop initiatives aimed at reducing our water consumption and we adopt good practices to optimise its use. 

    • The consumed water comes from the supply network, and it is mostly used for sanitary purposes, which does not allow it to be reused and, therefore, its relevance as an environmental vector is relative. However, measures to reduce water consumption have been implemented, e.g. traditional taps have been replaced by taps with interrupted flow and toilet cisterns have been replaced by others with smaller capacity and a double flush button.
    • In unique buildings, the best technologies have been introduced to optimise water consumption associated with the refrigeration processes: Data Processing Centres use free cooling technology, which uses no water, and in the Barcelona corporate centre, the evaporative cooling towers have been replaced with adiabatic towers, with much lower water consumption.
    • In 2023, 421,769m3 of water were consumed, a 16.8% drop in consumption when compared to 2021.


    WATER CONSUMPTION (m3)

    2023 2022 2021
    Water consumption (m3) 421,769 398,205 506,847
    Water consumption per employee 11.69 9.34 13.80

    Sustainable mobility

    In 2023, a new internal multidisciplinary working group was formed in order to tackle the need to cut our emissions associated with corporate travel (Sustainable Mobility Group), but CaixaBank's Sustainable Mobility Plan includes both internal (corporate travel) and external (personal travel by employees, customers and suppliers) dimensions, incorporating a 360-degree vision on the inclusion of measures to curb the impact of travel needs. Here are some of the measures implemented in the Company:  

    • Deployment of remote work tools and online communication options with customers, which reduce the number of physical journeys. 
    • Electric vehicle charging points and private bicycle parking in several corporate centres have been installed.
    • Reduction of the fleet of own vehicles and transition to hybrid cars.
    • Delivery of packages in the last mile using an electric scooter.
    • Inclusion of environmental criteria for reducing the impact associated with mobility in events and trips.
    • In 2023, CaixaBank submitted to Barcelona's Metropolitan Transport Authority the renewal of the company's Travel Plan corresponding to the Building on Avenida Diagonal 621.


    Scope of the sustainable mobility plan:

    • Company: Internalise the sustainable mobility policy and implement associated governance measures (own fleet, corporate travel, events, etc.)
    • Providers: Advance the reduction of pollution related emissions and promote their decarbonisation.
    • Staff: Provide our staff with more sustainable home-work mobility options while minimising travel needs.
    • Customers: Offer sustainable mobility products to our customers (individuals, entrepreneurs and companies), especially those related to electromobility.

    03. Offsetting

    Since 2018 CaixaBank offsets all of the CO2 emissions from our activities. This means our offsetting objective includes the emissions associated with both our corporate centres and our entire branch network, which is the largest in the financial sector in Spain. We currently offsetvour emissions from Scope 1, 2 and 3.6 (corporate travels) at the CaixaBank Group scale.

    mapa Info Medioambiental

    2018

    Biogas power generation project (Sonora AWMS GHG Mitigation Project MX05-B-03)

    2023

    Electricity generation project with gas use (Land FillGas Pichacay - Ecuador)

    2015

    Biomass energy plant (Viñales Project, 40 GW/year)

    2022

    Remotion project (Afforestation Forestry in Colombia)

    2023

    Forest replantation project (Galicia and Castilla y León)

    2021

    Hydroelectric project (installed capacity of 19.192MW in Rondônia)

    2019

    Project against the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest in Pará (Cikel Brazilian Amazon REDD APD Project)

    2016

    Project putting a stop to deforestation of the Amazon (REDD Project in Brazil nut concessions in Madre de Dios)

    2017-2023

    Own Forest replantation project (16ha in Barcelona and Teruel)

    2020

    Wind Energy project (40,4MW in Madhya Pradesh and Rajastàn)

    2017

    Wind power project (30 windturbines in TamilNadu)

    2021

    Wind power project (250 wind turbine generators in Tirunelveli)

    2022

    Wind power project (ShangyiWanshigou)

    more than 195,000

    tCO2 offset Projects with VCS/CDM standard Period from 2015 to 2023

    We offset our emissions by purchasing carbon credits (recognised by the Verified Carbon Standard) for projects with positive social and environmental impact, as well as reforestation in Spain, where we also have 2 own reforestation projects of two forests located in Montserrat (Barcelona) and Ejulve (Teruel), whose direct benefits on the territory will be accounted for in te coming years. 

    CaixaBank makes the 50% of the offset for its emissions in projects located in Spain. 

    • Membership and registrations.

    We register our carbon footprint with the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge's Register of carbon footprints, offsetting and carbon dioxide absorption projects   and we have signed up to the Voluntary Agreements Programme  for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions run by the Catalan Office for Climate Change (OCCC).

    Sello 2021 registro huella de carbono




    Register of carbon footprints (MTE)


    Voluntary Agreements Programme of Generalitat de Catalunya

    Environmental and energy management system

    At CaixaBank, we have implemented an environmental and energy management system that allows us to reduce the environmental impact of our activities, ensuring a process of continuous improvement.

    Our corporate centre in Barcelona has an environmental and energy management system, under the European EMAS regulations and the ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 standards. The scope of our ISO 14001 certification also includes our 5 most important corporate centres in Valencia and Madrid.

    logo caixa blanco

    ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

    CONTEXT

    • Internal and external context
    • Expectations of stakeholders

    Plan

    Establish processes and objectives

    Act

    Take steps for
    on-going
    improvement

    Do

    Implement processes

    Verify

    Assess performance

    ENVISAGED RESULTS

    CONTEXT

    • Internal and external context
    • Expectations of stakeholders

    ENVISAGED RESULTS

    Plan

    Establish processes and objectives

    Act

    Take steps for
    on-going
    improvement

    Amazonas
    logo caixa blanco

    ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

    Do

    Implement processes

    Verify

    Assess performance

    Principles

    Sustainability Principles

    Declaration on climate change

    External certifications

    EMAS regulation

    ISO 14001

    ISO 50001

    Supervision

    Enviromental Risk Management Committee

    Corporate Responsibility and Reputation Committee

    Activity reports and certifications

    Environmental statement

    Click here to view CaixaBank Environmental Statement for 2022 

    Certifications

    EMAS Regulation 

    ISO 14001 

    ISO_50001