THEME - SUSTAINABLE MARKETS
Natural development
Rabobank: ten years of sustainability
Long-term benefits
lt seems only natural that a bank with its roots in the agri-
eultural sector should take a keen interest in sustainable
entrepreneurship, sometirnes referred to as Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR). Both focus on the need to find
a balance between people, planet and profit, between the
social, economie and ecological consequences of all our ac-
tivities. Sipko Schat, the Managing Board member responsible
for products in sustainable markets, outlines Rabobank
Group's involvement in this sector. 'Many of our clients are
affected by sustainability issues. Water-supply problems
have major implications for our customers in countries like
Australia and India. The mechanisms for reducing carbon
dioxide (CO.) emissions through trading emission rights
are opening up new market opportunities for Rabobank
International (RI). The Kyoto Protocol will make a sub-
stantial impact on our cliënt base, affecting Utilities, Food
Agribusiness (F&A) companies as well as national and
local governments.'
Sipko Schat:'Many of our
clients are affected by sus
tainability issues.'
1992 First declaration on the environment
1993 First internal Annual Environmental Report
1994 Signed the International Chamher of
Commerce Charter for Sustainable Development
1996 Signed multi-year agreements on cnergy
efficiency improvements
1997 First Dutch bank to sign United Nations Environment
Program (UNEP) declaration
for Banks in Environment and Sustainable
Developments
1998 Fstahlished sustainable developments
staff group
1999 Sustainability included in Rabobank Group
Mission Statement
Fstahlished the Dwision for Sustainability
and Social Innovation
2000 Joined World Business Council for
Sustainable Development
Formed Rabo Green Bank
Launcbed Rabo Innovation Capital Fund
Rabobank is unique in having a sustainability staff group
which concentrates on sustainability and entbeds the concept
within the business. Says Schat: 'At 64%, our sustainability
rating is already high when compared to our peers. We intend
to improve on this by financing local projects that make an
environmental contribution. An added benefit is the combi-
nation of long-term positive benefits to the community as a
whole combined with customer value. But these projects
must represent long-term stable partners in financial and
economie ternts as well. While we want to play a leading
role in ensuring sustainable development, we are, of course,
running a business.'
Launcbed Rabo Sustainability Fund
Participated in World Bank Prototype
Carbon Fund
2001 Awarded 64% sustainability rating by the Sustainable
Asset Management group (SAM)
2002 Established the Sustainability and Social
Innovation team in India
Bart Jan Krouwel voted Environmental
Professional of the Year
Signed Carbon Disclosure Project
2003 To launch Environmental Financial Products
To participate in CEO panel at World Water
Forum in Kyoto
To develop and improve more financial
products and services relating to Sustainability and
Social Innovation, following CRS and 'Triple-P'
principles
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