-
TIS
(potentially significant adverse effect). A number of projects have a B classification (potentially
limited adverse effect).The other projects have a C classification (potentially minimal to no
adverse effect).
Project classification under Equator Principles
A
2010
2009
2008
2007
B
13
11
9
11
C
11
2
7
Total
24
13
16
11
In Europe, REIF was involved, for instance, in two large-scale offshore wind projects, C-Power II
and III in Belgium and the Borkum Project in Germany. The project finance for C-Power is the
largest ever issued; it shows that Rabobank is willing to support financially and technically
sound projects. REIF experienced firm growth in the US and Canada, where both onshore
wind energy projects and solar energy projects were funded. In Asia, REIF funded a project in
China in collaboration with IFC.
A Profundo survey of banks' involvement in investments in renewable energy, which was
commissioned by De Eerlijke Bankwijzer (Fair Bank Guide), showed that Rabobank has made
considerably more investments in renewable energy than any other surveyed bank over the
past two years.
Better Cotton Programme
In 2009, Rabobank launched the innovative Fast Track Better Cotton Programme in
collaboration with IDH, ICCO, IKEA, Levi's, M&S, H&M, ECOM, Solidaridad and the Worldwide
Fund for Nature (WWF).The purpose of this programme is to transform the cotton market and
to make organic cotton a commercial, sustainable product, the goal being one million tons of
sustainably produced cotton by 2015. This will bring about a major reduction in the climate
footprint of cotton production and will greatly improve the standard of living of hundreds of
thousands of poor cotton farmers.
Both public and private partners are investing heavily in the programme, having committed
themselves for the next five years. As part of the programme, Rabobank Foundation, IDH and
ICCO have set up an innovative Fast Track Fund to match investments by the corporate sector
in the production of BCI cotton. The first projects were initiated in India and Pakistan in 2010.
More than 20,000 farmers were trained to grow their cotton in accordance with the Better
Cotton principles. This has resulted in the first Better Cotton crop and sales of 40,000 tons.
Growth in Rabobank International's food and agri portfolio
Lending at Rabobank International is aimed at the top end of the corporate market in the
Netherlands and at the food and agri sector internationally.Total private sector lending at
Rabobank International increased by 6% in 2010, rising to EUR 99.1 (93.4) billion. In the
Americas, lending was up 12% to EUR 39.7 (35.3) billion. Most of this increase was attributable
to currency effects. Non-core activities in countries other than the Netherlands were further
scaled down on account of the international focus on the food and agri sector. The volume of
the food and agri sector showed further growth in 2010, increasing to EUR 44.1 (36.1) billion.
This brought the food and agri share of the total portfolio to 44.5% (38.6%). Loans to trade,
industry and services (TIS) fell by 7% to EUR 49.7 (53.2) billion. Loans to private individuals
stood at EUR 5.4 (4.1) billion.
Loan portfolio by sector
in billions of euros
Food and agri
Private individuals
120
100
60
20
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Loan portfolio by region
year-end 2010
America
Europe excluding the
Netherlands
Australia and
New Zealand
Netherlands
Asia
38
Annual Report 2010 Rabobank Group