By raising awareness and creating a sense of urgency, we
are setting up a path to real leadership and innovation.
Less
talk,
more
action
That's why Beerman, Chairman of the Board of Rabobank Rotterdam,
was invited to attend the second annual C40 Climate Summit in New
York City in May. Leadership from 40 of the world's biggest cities at-
tended the three-day conference that focused on the reduction of
greenhouse gases and carbon emissions.
When it comes to environmental issues, Coert Beerman's message is
clear:'The time for talking is over. Now it's time for action,' he says.
The mayor of Rotterdam, Ivo Opstelten, invited Beerman to attend the
conference based, in part, on Rabobank's commitment to funding en
vironmental projects and green energy sources.The newly completed
green energy Rabobank office in Rotterdam is seen as an example of
the right approach to reducing carbon emissions.
Large cities are responsible for around 75% of the world's energy con-
sumption,and therefore a key element in the reduction of carbon emis
sions and the conservation of energy.These reductions are essential to
reversing the dangerous climate change.
'At the conference, leaders from cities all over the world gathered to-
gether in discussion groups to compare notes and learn from each
other,' Beerman says. 'As a result, we've developed concrete action
plans and are already hard at work with real solutions to the growing
environmental crisis.'
Initiatives regarding port cities and harbour control were also top on
the agenda/Rotterdam is a major port city, so we feel a responsibility
to get involved in efforts to reduce emissions in the shipping indus-
try,' Beerman says.Among the other initial cities being addressed are
several locations of Rabobank branches, such as Shanghai, Singapore,
Sao PauloandTokyo.
Local objectives include reducing emissions in the shipping industry
by 50% by 2025. Initiatives are underway that will reduce emissions,
develop methods of capturing, reusing and storing C02 gases, limita-
tions on shipping missions and other activities that will bring about
these reductions.
Through investment of both funding and time, Beerman ensures their
forward momentum continues.'By raising awareness and creating a
sense of urgency, we are setting up a path to real leadership and inno
vation. By providing funding, we ensure a doublé profit for Rabobank:
first, the return on our investment, and second, the savings we will
experience from better use of our resources.'
Coert Beerman (second from the
right) and the C40 team.
The Word 11
