Scotiabank has 10 Tips for a Greener New Year

    TORONTO, Jan. 14 /CNW/ - This New Year, Scotiabank is forecasting greener
trends throughout the Bank and the communities we support, building on our
commitment to being a socially responsible company.
    "One of our new year's resolutions for 2009 is reducing Scotiabank's
environmental footprint," said Kaz Flinn, Scotiabank Vice-President, Corporate
Social Responsibility. "The momentum we've built over the past three years has
inspired us to enhance our efforts. Environmental sustainability remains an
important issue, and only by being diligent can corporations join communities,
government and individuals in making a real difference."Scotiabank offers the following ten ways to have a greener new year:

    1.  Consider a switch to paperless banking: Did you know that you can
        receive your account statements and pay your bills electronically?
        Join one million Scotiabank customers who have made the move to
        paperless. Find out more by calling 1-800-4-SCOTIA or visiting
        www.scotiabank.com

    2.  Print and copy double sided at home and at work, and consider
        choosing papers that are recycled and/or environmentally certified,
        such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

    3.  Get a home energy audit. An auditor will come to your home and
        identify areas for improvement that will lead to a reduction in your
        energy bills and improve the energy efficiency of your home. To
        locate a home energy audit supplier visit the Federal government
        website at www.ecoaction.gc.ca - you may even be eligible for a
        government rebate.

    4.  If you are in the market for new appliances, be sure to check out
        appliances and products that are certified as energy efficient. The
        Energy Star label will help you pick products, such as refrigerators,
        air conditioners, washer and dryers and smaller appliances that are
        the most energy efficient. To learn more, visit www.energystar.gc.ca

    5.  Unplug appliances when not in use - a majority of the electricity
        used by appliances is consumed when they are off! Most people think
        to unplug their toaster and TV, but unplugging your cell phone after
        it has charged will also make a difference!

    6.  Try out energy efficient light bulbs such as Compact Fluorescent
        Lights (CFLs) or Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). LEDs, for example,
        reduce energy use by up to 90%.

    7.  Choose locally produced food wherever possible - food that travels
        long distances means extra greenhouse gas emissions in the
        atmosphere.

    8.  Turn on the tap! Drinking tap water rather than bottled water will
        save you money and reduce your environmental footprint. Plastic water
        bottles are energy and water intensive to produce.

    9.  Purchase a fun, reusable mug and use it for your morning coffee - you
        will reduce your environmental footprint by avoiding hundreds of
        plastic, paper and styrofoam cups.

    10. Learn more about environmental issues and how you can reduce your
        environmental footprint. Newspapers and magazines are running stories
        about the environment on a regular basis, and start asking about
        environmentally friendly options when making purchases, whether at
        your bank, grocery store or car dealership.

    "Our plans for the future build on the sustainable projects that
Scotiabank has participated over the past few years," said Kaz Flinn,
Scotiabank Vice-President of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    "Scotiabank's most recent initiatives have included:
    -   In 2008 Scotiabank introduced the Scotiabank Global Climate Change
        Fund. This is the first of its kind in Canada and allows Canadians to
        invest in companies adopting technological and environmental
        practices that mitigate and address the implications of climate
        change.

    -   Scotiabank has made an increasing amount of capital available for
        financing renewable energy and clean technology companies.

    -   Scotiabank's equities research team produces client reports that
        encourages investment in and promote a stronger understanding of the
        renewables sector.

    -   Scotiabank continues to review our processes to determine ways that
        we can improve energy efficiency. A recent lighting retrofit saved
        4,500 tonnes of CO(2) - the equivalent of 900 fewer cars on our
        streets annually.

    For our efforts, Scotiabank was recently named to the Carbon Disclosure
Project Climate Leaders Index."Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and
Canada's most international bank. With 69,000 employees, Scotiabank Group and
its affiliates serve approximately 12.5 million customers in some 50 countries
around the world. Scotiabank offers a diverse range of products and services
including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. With $508
billion in assets (as at October 31, 2008), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto
(BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit
www.scotiabank.com.