Paper reduction lags behind target
Targets for 2005
61 Rabobank Group Annual Report 2004
Corporate social responsibility
countries. It started off with EUR 25 million in investment capital.
Ten out of the fifteen developing countries are now known. They are
Brazil, Bolivia, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mozambique, Peru, Tanzania
and Vietnam. The RIAS consultancy service is part of this new entity.
The Rabobank Foundation, which celebrated its 30th anniversary on
12 May 2004, helps in setting up savings and loan co-operatives by
providing advice and financial resources. It also provides trade financing
to agricultural co-operatives.
According to World Wildlife Fund calculations, the average office worker
uses one tree a year in paper. For the entire Rabobank Group, this would
be 55,000 trees a year. The target 10% reduction in paper use was not
met in 2004. In the year under review, the reduction was 7%.
Procurement of green energy
In 2004 a framework contract was concluded for Dutch offices of
Rabobank Group, under which more than 1,300 locations within
Rabobank Group will receive 100% green power as from 2005.
The power is generated by windmills in the Netherlands, which are
financed by Rabobank. This contract means a reduced environmental
impact. In addition, joint procurement yields sizeable cost savings.
Targets for 2005 include:
- Strengthening Rabobank's positioning as a bank with CSR high on its
agenda, by leveraging its range of sustainable products and services.
- Further embedding CSR criteria in the loan process throughout the
organisation.
- Enhancing corporate social responsibility in the form of voluntary
work, corporate citizenship and, where relevant, an active dialogue
with stakeholders.
- Introducing programmes aimed at sustainable operations, such as
100% green power, another 10% paper reduction, environmentally-
friendly mobility and sustainable procurement policies.
- Reviewing the car leasing policy, so that cars may be leased only if
they meet certain fuel economy criteria.
More information on Rabobank Group's CSR policy and
activities can be found in the Annual Responsibility and
Sustainability Report 2004. This report is available on the
Internet. The Internet version complies with the Global
Reporting Initiative guidelines. In addition, examples of
interesting projects initiated by local banks and Group
entities can be found on the Internet.
See www.rabobank.com