Sustainability in banking
We don’t sacrifice ethics for returns
For companies seeking financing for proposed activities, financial institutions such as Rabobank are very often vital. This gives us influence on investment decisions and on the consequences of those investments for the environment in which we live.
We are convinced that a healthy balance should exist between the economic, social and ecological effects of our financial and operational activities
By striving for a high level of Corporate Social Responsibility, our organisation helps create growth in prosperity and a better social environment. It's a matter of doing honest, careful business in a transparent manner.
Take a look at our 2008 Sustainability Review which details how we help build wealth in sustainable and socially responsible manner.
We take responsible investing seriously
Rabobank is a global leader when it comes to sustainable practices and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. CSR also plays a role in RaboDirect's attitude to investing and in selecting investment opportunities for our customers.
As part of the RaboDirect commitment to responsible investing, we aim to include a selection of managed funds on our list of investment choices that cover ethical, socially responsible and sustainable strategies. We also prefer to develop relationships with fund managers that have signed the United Nations backed Principles of Responsible Investing (UNPRI):
The UNPRI provide broad guidelines to address environmental, social and governance issues as it relates to investment selection and management.
Over 650 investment institutions globally have signed up to the UNPRI, including the following fund managers on the RaboDirect investment platform:
RaboDirect is proud to be associated with these fund managers and to offer customers the following range of ethical, socially responsible and sustainable investment funds for consideration:
What is the difference between the different investment approaches?
- Ethical: An investment strategy focused on balancing the morality of a company's business activities, the potential return on an investment and the ability for the company to make a positive contribution to the quality of the environment.
- Socially Responsible / Responsive: Strategy seeks to maximise returns through investing in companies who favour sound environmental, social and corporate governance practices. These companies generally promote environmental consciousness, consumer protection and are focused on human rights whilst avoiding businesses such as alcohol, tobacco, weaponry and gambling development and manufacturing.
- Sustainable: Investment strategy focused on companies with environmentally sustainable business practices which attempt to meet the need for development, but without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It involves the materiality of a company's social consciousness, the impact on the environment and sound social governance.
