Working with clients on sustainability
risks and opportunities
Our output and impact
Sustainability is essential for the long-term success of businesses. For that reason, one of Rabobank's
central sustainability ambitions (see Sustainably Successful Together) is to encourage and support
clients in developing and achieving their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals. ESG issues
also come with risks that need to be managed. As a result, sustainability forms an integral part of the
bank's business model.
Rabobank is dedicated to an active approach to promoting sustainability. Sustainability is included
in our sector visions. We regularly share our knowledge with our business customers. We conduct
periodic reviews of our larger clients' performance so that we can, together, explore further
opportunities for improvement and help the client systematically improve their performance. We also
connect our customers with each other to exchange sustainability know-how and to create shared
commercial opportunities. We provide customised financial solutions to make the most of these
opportunities. We reward leaders in sustainability by giving them priority in financing and by doing so
we aim to double the volume of services we offer them. These activities enable us to combine business
success for our customers with sustainable innovation for society.
Contents Foreword Management report Corporate governance Consolidated Financial Statements Company Financial Statements Pillar 3
ESG risks and opportunities for corporate clients
2016 saw an increased customer focus with regard of
sustainability. Drawing on the success of our client photo
assessment for our Dutch clients, we have introduced the
client photo for our Wholesale Clients as well. Also, in 2016
Rabobank introduced the expert opinion as part of its ambition
to continuously improve and strengthen our understanding
of the significance of sustainability in our clients' business
activities part of the risk assessment on sustainability are
the client engagement trajectories, which are called into
action upon receiving information that may indicate that
a client's sustainability performance is not in line with our
sustainability policy.
Client photo - Corporate clients
Rabobank believes in helping our clients to develop
a sustainable business model, because a sustainable business
model is mutually beneficial for our clients and the bank.
The client photo was developed to provide insight into our
clients' active approach and performance on ESG issues.
Account managers create a profile of clients by assigning
them to one of four main categories, ranging from 'sustainable
leader' to 'non-compliant with Rabobank sustainability policies'.
The client photo has been integrated into the lending process,
one of the bank's primary processes.
KPI: By 2020, all our corporate clients will have maximum
access to the sustainability expertise they require, and the
sustainability performance of all our larger corporate clients
will be recorded in a client photo.
Client photo
Number of clients assessed
Number
2020 target
Local Rabobanks
14,502
99%
100%
Wholesale offices
1,533
85%
100%
Other Group divisions
n/a
n/a
100%
78 Rabobank Annual Report 2016
