Corporate social responsibility
www.rabobank.com/content/aboutus/ NGOs, public authorities and consumers increasingly demand that commercial
corporate social responsibility enterprises conduct their business while having regard for the quality of life of
our planet. Poverty alleviation and climate change are the international themes
of corporate social responsibility that were the focus of attention in 2007.
These days, not a single enterprise can afford to act without reflection on issues
such as human rights or the use of scarce sources of (fossil) energy. In 2007,
Rabobank Group itself - and in conjunction with its clients - worked hard to
achieve its targets as a financial service provider, while focusing on Rabobank
Group's contribution to a more sustainable society.
Intensified dialogue with society
CSR in lending
CSR contributes to innovations
Rabobank Group values dialogue with its stakeholders. These discussions are part of
Rabobank Group's issue management. Early identification and analysis of relevant trends and
problems enable Rabobank Group to assess relevant risks sooner and to manage them
better, to respond to commercial opportunities and to conduct its business in a more
sustainable manner. Rabobank Group refined its issue management process further in 2007,
while making it clearer what it is willing and able to influence and what is outside its span of
control. In 2008, based on the experience gained, the complaints procedure concerning
Rabobank Group's commercial financing will be extended to social issues. The stakeholder
dialogue was important for the case studies presented by Rabobank Group in its Annual
Sustainability Report 2007: of the six case studies, five were derived from this dialogue.
Rabobank Group finalised the introduction of corporate social responsibility assessments in
its national and international lending businesses in early 2007. Partly on the basis of such
guidelines as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Global Compact, ten social themes
have been embedded in these lending procedures. All new credit applications from clients
will be tested against them, regardless of a client's industry or country of operation.
Thus, Rabobank Group limits the social and financial risks that are directly associated with its
economic activities.
Corporate social responsibility is beneficial to innovations in Rabobank Group's policy,
products and services. In both the short and the long term, this is in the interest of society,
the bank, its staff and its customers. The innovative power of CSR for Rabobank Group was
again evident in 2007. It has resulted in new financial products and services including the
Rabo KlimaatHypotheek, the Rabocard with climate contribution, a financing tool for soil
decontamination, various sustainable investment funds and a charity desk. This charities
department helps clients achieve their social responsibility targets. In addition, Rabobank
Group has demonstrated in several publications, including 'Biomass, food and sustainability:
is there a dilemma?' how CSR results in innovative thinking and acting within the bank.
Rabobank Group wishes to see sustainability become an integral and self-evident part of its
value proposal to the mass market.
In 2007, Rabobank Group detailed a specific policy for CSR issues in a number of sectors.
Visions of intensive cattle farming and CSR in horticulture were written. The policies for the
fishing industry and for basic agricultural products such as soy were formalised further.
83
Report of the Executive Board
