Working together towards a sustainable future
Source: Report 2009, chapter Working together towards a sustainable future, page 82
Rabobank Group wants to make an economic, social and ecological contribution to building a sustainable society. We have embedded this ambition in our Code of Conduct and in our general internal and external service provision principles. Corporate social responsibility is the pillar of our core activities, of which lending comes first and foremost. Rabobank Group is committed to creating more sustainability in value chains. We also set great store by sustainability in our own operations. As part of our commitment to society, Rabobank Group wants to encourage social cohesion within communities and to make financial services accessible to all.
The Code of Conduct describes our core values of respect, integrity, professionalism and sustainability, and the approach that Rabobank Group wants to take to society, clients and employees. It serves as a basis for all other internal rules of ethics. The worth is not in the document itself, but in offering a platform for discussing dilemmas we encounter in our conscious conduct.
Rabobank Group subscribes to a range of internal and external codes on business principles, including guidelines issued by the United Nations, the OECD, the International Chamber of Commerce and the International Labour Organisation. For a list of codes and guidelines used, see: www.rabobank.com/csr-guidelines.
Rabobank Group has defined five Food & Agribusiness Principles to contribute its share towards creating more sustainable value chains in the food and agribusiness: adequate and secure food production, sustainable use of natural resources, a responsible society where public welfare is key, ethical treatment of animals, and sustainability awareness among consumers and citizens. These principles form the basis for building on our service offering of socially responsible loans and achieving a sustainable value chain.