Rabobank

Pursuing a sound CSR policy is a strategic choice for Rabobank Group. Four central CSR themes were defined in 2009:

• working towards delivering a secure and sustainable food supply, based in part on the Food & Agribusiness Principles;
• innovating production methods, and encouraging efficient use of renewable energy;
• championing equal opportunity and economic participation;
• promoting local coherence and partnerships in and outside the Netherlands.

Secure and sustainable food supply

Rabobank Group has formulated Food & Agribusiness Principles to further integrate sustainability into our lending practices and into our sustainable value chain policy. The principles were shared and discussed with clients, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders on a global level in 2009. Rabobank also talked about the draft value chain policy with clients following which it was fleshed out.

In 2009, Rabobank Group subscribed to the Dutch government programme for more sustainable livestock farming by 2023. Rabobank Group was involved in a range of initiatives and projects that contribute to a higher level of sustainability in agriculture, glasshouse horticulture and livestock farming.

Renewable energy and innovation

Rabobank Group is committed to promoting innovations and the use of renewable energy and introducing innovations in a gamut of products and services in the areas of savings, finance, investment, leasing and real estate. Rabobank has undertaken to achieve climate neutrality in its operations and reduce its carbon footprint by 20% per FTE in the period from 2009 to 2013. The CSR requirements for procurement will see further broadening so that they will become available for all CSR-relevant procurement categories of Rabobank Group Purchasing by the end of 2010.

Championing economic participation and access to financial services

In 2009, Rabobank once again developed products and services that help the elderly, young people and persons with a disability gain access to financial services.

Rabobank Foundation and Rabo Development offer rural communities in developing countries better access to financial services as well as a reliable financial infrastructure.

Supporting local communities in and outside the Netherlands

In 2009, local Rabobanks used their cooperative funds to donate EUR 25.8 (20.4) million in support of local communities. Donations by other divisions of Rabobank Group amounted to EUR 3.3 (3.8) million.