Towards A Greener Economy: What role can a bank play?
Sandra Odendahl, Director Corporate Environmental Affairs, Royal Bank of Canada Curacao, March 2012 0
Outline 1. 2. 3. 4.
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About RBC Why environmental sustainability? What can a bank do Summary and closing
I. About RBC
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I. About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada Globally Merchants' Bank of Halifax in 1864; in Caribbean since 1882 Major operations in Canada, US, UK and the Caribbean 2011 revenue of $27.4 billion, Profit of $6.7 billion; Over 1800 branches and more than 4,800 ABMs Approximately 74,000 employees and 18 million clients in 50 countries
In the Caribbean: RBTT joined RBC in June 2008 In Curacao, rebranded as RBC Caribbean in March 2012 2011 revenue of $826 million, profit of $142 million 123 branches in 19 counties across the Caribbean, 7000 employees serving more than 1.6 million clients
Largest Canadian bank, 11th largest bank Globally 3
II. Why Environmental Sustainability Matters
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Impacts on health and the economy
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Stakeholders are demanding more
Employees
Shareholders and Investors
Indigenous Groups
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Clients
Government & Non Government Organizations
General Public
Revenue Opportunities Abound Improve operational efficiencies Improve access to capital Market differentiation (or cost of entry) Lower insurance costs Employee attraction, engagement, and retention Drive innovation
Good Environmental Sustainability Strategies are Good for the Bottom Line 7
What can a Bank Do?
III. What can a Bank Do?
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The RBC Environmental Blueprint Three Priority Issues
Climate changeForests / biodiversity
Water
And ‌. 9
RBC Environmental Blueprint Four Objectives:
1. Offer green products and services 2. Lend responsibly (environmental and social risk management) 3. Reduce our footprint 4. Promote environmental sustainability
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1. Offer green products and services $1.7 billion outstanding to renewable energy names Developed lending guidelines for solar PV projects Developed lending manuals for green buildings SRI funds Financing energy efficiency retrofits Traded over 280 million tonnes of carbon through our Capital Markets Emissions Trading group Invested $260MM in LEED certified affordable housing Renewable power lending and investment banking
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Green products and services
Renewable Power and energy efficiency financing Globally: $1.7 billion in outstanding loans to companies involved in renewable power (year end 2011) Outside Canada: hydro power projects in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Mexico WEB Aruba expansion − In 2005 unveiled plans to use more fuel efficient technology for water and electricity operations − RBC participated in syndicated facility for ~ US$137 Mn to finance expansion of water and electricity production − New components use 75% less fuel
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Advice and Know-How Greening your business: − Led webinars for clients − Developed white paper on green buildings − Guides for manufacturing, logistics, Agriculture and Retail sectors
Held lender workshops on renewable energy and green buildings
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RBC Greening Your Business Advice Centre
Extensive online library of resources
Greening Your Commercial Business
Greening Your Manufacturing Business
Greening Your Supply Chain and Logistics Business
We can provide advice on the best way to capitalize the investments you will be making in your business 15
2. Lend responsibly and Manage Risk Some highlights: 1991 – Introduced first environmental risk management policy 2003 – 1st Canadian FI to adopt the Equator Principles 2009 – Assessed our loan exposure for climate risk 2010 – Rolled out environmental and social risk policy for RBC CM 2011 – Prepared report on impact of climate change on our insurance business 2012 – will perform in-depth environmental credit risk reviews on 1100+ transactions (based on historical volume) 16
3. Reduce our footprint – Walking the talk 300,000 m2 of office space certified to green standards (~40% of global total) 134 green-powered retail branches Deep lake water cooling in downtown Toronto Installing solar PV on branches in Ontario Diverted over 43,000 electronic items from landfill in Canada in 2011 >85% of office, marketing and direct mail paper is FSC certified or equivalent Reduced water use in new retail branch design by 27% compared to code Screened $270MM in RBC procurement for environmental and social criteria 17
4. Promote environmental sustainability
Stakeholder engagement Donations and sponsorships 18
Research and education Monitoring and reporting on progress
4. Promote environmental sustainability
Stakeholder engagement Donations and sponsorships 19
Research and education Monitoring and reporting on progress
Donations and Sponsorships
We are committed to donating a minimum of 1% of our pretax profits on a five-year, rolling average
In 2011, RBC made more than 9,000 donations, totalling more than $64 million, to charities worldwide.
Strategic Focus areas for Donations: 1. Blue Water project 2. Children’s mental Health 3. RBC After-School Grants 4. Emerging Artists 5. Diversity 6. Play Hockey In 2011 alone, we donated $8.05 million to environmental charities in Canada, the U.S. and the Caribbean
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10-year, $50 million grant program Watershed protection and access to clean drinking water $32 million to over 454 organizations so far
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Example: RBC Blue Water project donation to RBTT Young Leaders Challenge
RBTT Young Leaders challenge: • To develop new and innovative methods of water conservation and management in addressing the theme Water: Beyond the Surface— Sustaining Life, Securing our Future 22
V. Summary 1. Environmental sustainability is imperative in a world of increasing population and rising demand for finite resources 2. Great opportunities for business and governments Reduce costs Increase revenues Improve “brand” and reputation
3. RBC can play multiple roles Offer Green financial products & services Deliver advice and know how Lead by example (Reduce our own ecological footprint) Promote “green” in our communities 23
Thank You!
sandra.odendahl@rbc.com www.rbc.com/environment And in Curacao: steven.coutinho@rbc.com
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