Dnote Xpress, Issue #4, July - 2014

Issue: #4 | July 2014

Time is Running Out

In this issue: Fiinova on ‐ IOD at 16 World Congress on Environment Management YES Bank ‐ Responsible Banking Young Soldiers for Environment Sustainability Fiinobserva on of Interna onal Days

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01 Fiinova on collaborates with IOD for 16th World Congress on Environment Management New Delhi: Fiinovation collaborated with IOD for the 16th World Congress on Environment Management and presentation of Golden Peacock awards held on 11th and 12th July, 2014 at The Ashok, New Delhi. The Chief Guest of the event was Dr. Karan Singh, member of Rajya Sabha. The event was attended by 300 dignitaries from corporate houses, government and other institutions.

The Hotel Ashok, witnessed senior dignitaries addressing the gathering with Dr. M. F. Farooqui, IAS delivering the keynote address stating the necessity of corporate board members to understand the relevance of environment friendly technology and solutions. He focussed on the need to bring regulation and emission norms with stringent restrictions for both government and corporate houses. He also highlighted how environment management should be looked as a business opportunity as it is in line with the idea of environment conservation.

A K Pavadia, Joint secretary, Dept. of Public Enterprises, Govt. of India, spoke of a need to introduce cost effective environment friendly products. He reiterated on a change in attitude with regard to environment management. Mr Pavadia spoke of the irony that exists, on air conditioning temperatures that are kept so low in India that people need a blanket to sleep. He focused on creating the urgency on climate change.

The Chief Guest Dr. Karan Singh highlighted the relevance of directors in helping build a new India.

He reiterated the role of the corporate sector in ensuring environment sustainability. Corporate Social Responsibility can play a crucial role in providing environment management solutions, he added. He also urged the people for a lifestyle change for conservation of the environment.

Soumitro Chakraborty, CEO, Fiinovation chaired the session “CSR strategy for Environment Protection” in which he reiterated on corporations which still do not have sustainability in their top 5 agenda. He highlighted being ecological is the main paradigm for being economical. Talking of scarcity, he stated that resources are becoming half every 10 years. The statistics shared were grave and explained how it is 'not about compliance, rather survival'.

The plenary sessions focused on various topics related to environment management and the role of corporate houses in environment conservation. The convergence of eminent personalities reemphasized on the importance of environment management and sustainability of the business. The two day event helped in establishing linkages between leadership, environment management and sustainability. The event also provided opportunities for networking and exchange of ideas.

What the Influencers Said…  "Corporate social responsibility is a hard‐edged business decision. Not because it is a nice thing to do or because people are forcing us to do it... because it is

good for our business." ‐ Niall Fitzerald, Unilever  "The business of business should not be about money. It should be about responsibility. It should be about public good, not private greed."

‐Anita Roddick, Body Shop  "People are going to want, and be able, to find out about the ci zenship of a brand, whether it is doing the right things socially, economically and

environmentally." ‐Mike Clasper, Proctor and Gamble

02 Responsible Banking – Solu ons to Developmental Challenges YES Bank was founded by Mr. Rana Kapoor and Late Mr. Ashok Kapur in 2004 to offer comprehensive banking and financial solutions to customers.

Currently the bank is India's fourth largest private sector bank with more than 430 branches in 275 locations.

YES Bank adopts the triple bottom-line discourse of 'People, Planet and Profit' to create enduring value, competitive advantage and sustainable leadership. The aim is to ensure the bank follows global standards of operation and function. They have innovative initiatives that are designed to cover emerging sectors, untapped markets and underserved sections of society.

Financial institutions such as banks are known to be well aware of the pressing social and environmental issues. The Indian banking scenario is highly competitive which is why the banks need to focus on customer satisfaction and behavior. In order to create a niche for themselves, many banks have started to play a significant role in social development.

Communication is an important aspect and banks utilize it to create an enhanced public image and good will through comprehensive reporting standards.

YES Bank understands the importance of mainstreaming sustainability and employs a multi-stakeholder approach. They provide innovative financial solutions to address challenges that exist in livelihood, climate change, public health, education, information technology and biotechnology among others.

YES Bank incorporates Responsible Banking through: Responsible Banking in Thought

CSR Ini a ves of YES Bank are:  VitaGoat a low cost, soy‐processing system developed by Malnutri on Ma ers (Canadian NGO) works to combat malnutri on and provides livelihood opportuni es. It has been deployed at Buldana Urban Co‐opera ve Credit Society which runs a residen al school since 2007. So far, 700 school children have been fed with soy milk/paneer and it is expected to serve 300‐400 people daily in Rajasthan.

 Nurture

effec ve partnerships with N G O s and entrepreneurs to enhance outreach by developing low cost soymilk systems.

 Raised

USD 47 mn for Greenko, a renewable energy player, through private placement of equity shares with Global Environment Fund, one of the world's largest environment focused funds, for expansion of their hydro power genera on assets.

 Planted 7,724 trees in the repor

ng period through Grow Trees and gi ed over 2,000 e‐cer ficates to their customers.

Responsible Banking in Ac on

Sustainability Research & Thought Leadership

Microfinance Ins tu ons and Affordable Housing Group

Sustainability Advisory

Inclusive & Social Banking

Triple Bo om Line Accoun ng and Repor ng

Agribusiness & Rural Banking

YES COMMUNITY

Sustainable Investment Banking Socially Responsible Inves ng

YES BANK's Responsible CSR practices have got them national as well as international recognition. They have been conferred with the Outstanding Business Sustainability Achievement award at Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Award, Germany and the Bank received commendation certificate for significant achievement at CII ITC Sustainability Award 2013. YES Bank was earlier awarded the Golden Peacock Global Award for Sustainability 2012 at the London Global Convention.

- Media & Communication

War on Waste YES Leap

Billion Trees

YES I CARE

YES Money

YES Sahaj

Social Innova ons of YES Bank

Incredible India Travel Card

03 Young Soldiers for Environment Sustainability 30% of the world population consists of youth and “Investing on Young People” was the theme of the world population day 2014.

Studies have reiterated the relevance of investing in youth and capacitating them to take the world to newer heights. The involvement of youth in environmental and development initiatives is important for the successful completion of a programme.

This brings us to the question, if the youth is serious or actually aware about the environment; it could be environment safety, management or sustainability. It would be difficult to say that youth is not conscious, but yes the awareness level is low. There is a lack of serious concern for environment management, simply because according to them there is lot of other issues that need to be addressed. It could also be related to a lack of urgency that exists for the issues of environment degradation. The shortsighted and casual view is obviously a matter of concern. Therefore, there is a need to focus on environment management undoubtedly and we must adopt measures that preserve the environment.

Innovative Financial Advisors Pvt. Ltd. recommends working towards providing the youth with a secure and healthy future that includes quality environment, improved standard of living and access to education and employment. There should be consultations with the youth and a dialogue process should be established between the government and the people to understand their perspective on environment sustainability. There is a need to develop a sustainability education and community service programme, run online platforms for feedback and encourage environment protection in school curriculums.

People can contribute in a big way by taking up the challenge of environment protection and making it a mission. Youth can volunteer after work or school to participate in activities which are related to environment protection. This can be done along with the day to day activities. Spreading awareness and advocating for environment management as the trend will be useful. Sensitization of the rural youth is important to create an overall impact. Environment management needs to become a mandated component of every developmental programme. All programmes need to address the issues of allocation and entitlement of natural resources, housing, recreation, and reduction of pollution and toxicity in both rural and urban areas.

The demand for environment friendly products and services should be increased and the youth can be the prime drivers. Innovative Financial Advisors Pvt. Ltd. believes it is up to the youth to take cognizance of what to use and what not to. Some of the initiatives that youth can participate are:

Cleanliness

Pollu on Preven on

Resource conserva on

Greening

Transporta on

Green Economy

Controlling li er, effec ve maintenance of public land and vacant spaces

Usage of low carbon emission products and measures to improve air and water quality, reducing usage of hazardous material, promo ng healthy indoor environment

Rain water harves ng, ground water recharge, reduc on in energy, water usage, minimizing wastage, encourage reuse and recycle

Tree planta on and preserva on of ecology and diversity

Use of public transport and bicycles, promo ng walking and vehicle sharing

Green jobs and encouraging local green businesses

- Rahul Choudhury

Food For Thought...  The Tata Group spent Rs 1,000 crore, the highest spend by an Indian conglomerate on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in 2013‐14.  Aditya Birla Group spent Rs 200 crore on CSR in fiscal 2014, which is a li le over 2% of the net profit from India.  Infosys, India's second largest IT firm will contribute Rs. 240 crore this fiscal year to its philanthropic arm ‐ Infosys Founda on ‐ for funding CSR ac vi es.  According to census data released this month, a whopping 160 million women in India, 88 percent of who are of working age (15 to 59 years), are confined to their homes performing 'household du es' rather than being gainfully employed in the formal job sector.

 India gets its first online course on Sexual Harassment Act launched by Centre for Social Research and Rainmaker.

04

Fiinobservation of International Days World Popula on Day

Mandela Day

11 July The 7 billion world population is both, a challenge and an

18 July It was a unanimous decision of the United Nations General

opportunity, which has implications on sustainability,

Assembly to observe 18th July as Nelson Mandela

urbanization, health and youth empowerment. The opportunity

International Day. The day is observed to honour the great man

is to cash on the demographic dividend, especially when 1.8

on his birthday and carry on his legacy of volunteer work and

billion out of the 7 billion is young. However, the challenge

community service. The day was inspired by the call Nelson

remains a matter of concern, since the newer generations have

Mandela made by placing the responsibility of social service in

more demands which are not eco-friendly. Enormous burden is

the hands of the people. This day is a celebration of the work

being put on the existing resources which are becoming half

done by Mandela and is a global call for action that reiterates

every 10 years.

his belief of every individual

possessing the power to

transform the world.

In 1989, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme recommended that, 11th July

Mandela lived with three basic principles in life that

should be observed by the international community as World

encapsulated themselves through freedom of self, freedom of

Population Day.

others and service for all. People are urged on this day to find inspiration for their contribution in the legacy of Nelson

The theme of 2014 World population is “investing in young

Mandela and to serve their fellow humans every day. Actions

people”. A youth centric approach implies keeping the youth at

can be big or small and should focus on the realization or

the centre of all development planning. Fiinovation

restoration of dignity and empowerment of people through their

encourages companies and donors to initiate youth

contributions. Some of the areas that the youth can contribute

programmes that further creates opportunities for overall

are food security, shelter and infrastructure, education and

human development. Involvement of youth is the key for

literacy, service and volunteerism etc. Nelson Mandela has

enhanced programme output and they must be kept at the core

fought for social justice for 67 years and the fraternity is asking

of all programme design and strategy.

people to start with 67 minutes.

- Joyita Bhattacharya

- Rahul Choudhury

About Fiinova on Fiinova on, a research based organiza on, is an integrated solu on enabler in the CSR and sustainability domain. It is focused towards enhancing quality across organiza onal value chain through meaningful innova on thereby ensuring sustainability. It is Asia's first proposal research laboratory wherein research is focused primarily on four sectors, which include health, educa on, livelihood and environment. The prac ces: CSR‐CSO Partnership, CSR Policy Design & Development, Programme Management, Impact Assessment and Sustainability Repor ng help provide simple solu ons to their partners.

Fiinova on 24/30, Ground Floor, Okhla Industrial Estate, Phase III New Delhi ‐ 110020 Phone: 011‐42332200 | Fax : 011‐42332205 To know more please visit our website: www.fiinova on.co.in | Email: media@fiinova on.co.in