corporate responsibility
ING - Corporate Responsibility P.O. Box 810 1000 AV Amsterdam The Netherlands corporate.responsibility@ing.com www.ing.com/cr Registered as ING Groep N.V. in Commercial Register of Amsterdam, no. 33231073
take a seat
3
” Rits Dijkstra ING Account Management Cash & ATM
“In life, we are all responsible for our own actions. Together we can find the best solutions for a common future. It is all about the right balance between economic prosperity and sound social and ethical values.”
4
At ING, we believe in dialogue. It is the basis of any good relationship. This means we take the time to listen to your needs and expectations. To you telling us what we can do better or different. In turn, it is our responsibility to be open and clear about what it is we do and why we make certain choices.
As a global financial institution, we have an obligation – and opportunity – to contribute to the world around us. We do this through our products and our people, and by supporting organisations, like UNICEF, that share our desire to make a difference. Business and responsibility must go hand in hand, but it takes effort to get it right.
This brochure is part of this dialogue. It reflects on a defining moment in human history. With the world facing a crisis, we need to consider each other’s roles and responsibilities. What kind of world do we want to live in? What action do we have to take? Simple questions without obvious answers, which is why our dialogue is never finished.
We have come a long way, but we’re not there yet. We have ideas, but we need your input. So let’s pull up a chair and see eye to eye. There are things we need to talk about.
5
6
It all starts with you. Your needs, dreams and ambitions. Your desire to get the most out of life, for yourself and the people that matter. A more spacious house in a better location. A nest egg for your children’s education or early retirement. The comfort of knowing your most precious belongings are insured. The confidence to finally start your own business.
Anything is possible. It just takes vision, guts, and good fortune. It takes money, too, in the form of a business loan, savings account, pension plan or insurance policy. If you are like many people, then you’ll find managing your money a mindboggling task. Choosing from countless products, making sense of the small print, weighing risks and benefits. It’s like going to the dentist: something you’d happily avoid if it weren’t so important. What you need is a partner that is trustworthy, responsible and clear. A financial expert with local roots and global coverage. Someone with an eye for business and a heart for your community. For 85 million people and counting, ING is that partner.
7
8
Half of our planet’s six billion people live on less that $2 a day. Some 1 billion people lack access to clean potable water and around 1 billion people are illiterate, two-thirds of which are women. Some 115 million children aged 4 to 12 have no access to education. To complicate matters, the world’s population is set to explode over the next few decades.
We’re struggling with other global challenges. Potentially irreversible damage to our ecosystem will change how we live, what we eat, and where we are safe. There is still no consensus on how to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. And the current financial and economic crisis has damaged people’s trust in the very institutions they need. Of course there is progress and hope. People with brilliant ideas and the drive to realise them. Businesses with a sense of how they can make a difference. But there are tough decisions ahead and we need all the help we can get.
9
10
What’s the purpose of a bank? Why do we need insurance companies? What are their roles and responsibilities? Fair questions, particularly in light of the financial crisis. Banks and insurers are here to help people manage their finances in all stages of their life. Saving accounts for kids evolve into student loans and mortgages for first-time buyers. Insurance policies protect what is valuable. Pension plans create options for the future. And financial giants like ING invest in financial education, which helps people make the best possible decisions.
Banks and insurers are also the bedrock of the economy. Without us, it would be difficult for people to buy houses or for businesses to pay suppliers and staff. Banks provide loans and advice to ambitious start-ups. We fund expansion plans that create jobs and generate taxes. And we enable the free flow of capital that powers our globalised economy. With billions of euros flowing in and out of financial institutions on a daily basis, it is crucial that we are effective and transparent. And that what we do, does not damage but strengthens the world around us. That is why we work closely with governments and grassroots organisations and why it is important that our dialogue continues.
11
These are momentous times. The global economy is floundering. The financial industry has been hit. Businesses and individuals alike have been influenced by a wave of changes. And all of us are looking at what needs to be done differently in the years ahead. We have taken a long, hard look at what we do and how. And we have decided to put the customer back where he or she belongs: at the heart of everything we do. We have also realised that our past commitment to responsibility was justified and that the time has come to further strengthen our efforts. First, we will continue to make sure our financial products and services do
12
no harm. Our Business Principles and Environmental and Social Risk Policy Framework help us avoid investments in, for example, companies that damage the environment or violate human rights. Second, we will continue to contribute to positive change. We are developing more products and services that have responsibility at their core. And we are giving back to the community, for example through our charity work for children done in conjunction with partners like UNICEF. Lastly, we will engage our stakeholders even more than we have and be more responsive to their expectations and needs. This feedback will help us to make better decisions and develop products that create a better world.
13
14
15
Business and responsibility are two sides of the same coin. Yet harmony between the two is not automatic. It takes hard work and constant vigilance, specific goals and clear guiding principles. Keep on reading to learn about the four areas in which we want to make a difference.
16
17
Business As a financial institution, we provide high quality products and services that meet the needs and expectations of our customers, that do no harm to people or to the environment and that are easy to access and understand. It is our aim to continue to develop more and better sustainable products and services for our customers.
18
People We foster an open, safe, inclusive and stimulating working environment for our employees. We believe that this results in a highly professional and committed workforce that drives business success through strong execution. We endeavour to respect human rights in everything we do, whether it concerns our own employees or other people that may be affected by our operations and business decisions.
19
Community Through our global charity programme, ING Chances for Children, we aim to give children a real chance of securing a better future by providing them with quality education. We believe this improves the quality of life and fosters goodwill in both developed and developing communities. Our community investment initiatives that focus on promoting financial inclusion and education give us the opportunity to share our financial expertise and align with our commitment to being accessible and easy to deal with.
20
Environment Internally, it is our constant aim to keep managing and reducing our environmental footprint. We educate our employees about environmentally responsible behaviour and engage them through awareness programmes. Â Externally, we conduct our business in such a way that a negative impact on the environment is avoided or minimised as much as possible. We integrate principles of sustainable development into our business decisions and processes.
21
Image: Commissarisenkamer, Office Groenhovenstraat, The Hague, about 1975. Bedrijfshistorisch archive ING
The ING Historical Archive is the custodian of ING’s cultural and historical heritage. They collect and archive documents and objects to safeguard the history of ING and its many predecessors for today’s and future generations.
22
ING is the culmination of a rich history that goes back to 1743. Our predecessors were small banks and insurers with strong, local roots. Gradually, these small businesses joined forces and became nationwide institutions. In 1991 two particularly powerful ones Nationale-Nederlanden and NMB Postbank Group – merged and ING was born.
Talking about and acting on responsibility has been part of our culture for a long time. We published our first environmental report in 1995 and our first corporate responsibility report in 2000. Today, our ING Chances for Children programme reaches thousands of children. And we make investment decisions on the basis of clear responsibility policies.
23
Timeline Business Timeline People Timeline Community Timeline Environment
Creation of ING Group and its core values 1991
1990
24
First ING Group social report for the Netherlands 1994
Formulation of principles of social policy for ING Group ING Groenbank was founded and provides loans for environmentally friendly projects 1996
Introduction of ING Business Principles 1999
1999
ING developed environmental and social risk policies 2001 ING Direct launched the Planet Orange website to make American children more financially literate 2002 Publication of first ING in Society report
ING became main sponsor of the UN Year of Microcredit 2005
Launch of sustainable funds under BBL and ING brands
ING adopted the Equator Principles, a benchmark for the financial industry to manage environmental and social issues in project financing
ING selected sustainability leader of insurance sector in Dow Jones Sustainability Group Index 2000
ING becomes the first Dutch equity broker for socially responsible investments
2000
ING was awarded the ‘Corporate Social Responsibility Bank of the Year 2003’ by The Banker magazine 2003
2009
25
Timeline Business
Timeline People Timeline Community Timeline Environment
ING becomes the first financial institution to set up a European Union Works Council Establishment of Lioness, ING’s women’s network 1996 Start work experience pilot project for young people from ethnic minorities 1994
1990
26
Introduction of personnel stock option plan 1997
1999
ING wins the VNO-NCW Diversity Award in the Netherlands ING listed in the Hispanic Magazine list of 100 best Companies for Hispanics ING scores 100% in the HRC in the US- Best Places to work for GLBT Equality 2006 Establishment of Gala, ING’s global gay lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) network
Formation of ING Diversity Council 2000
2000
ING wins Catalyst Award in the US
ING Chili wins the Great Place to Work Award
ING signs Talentto-the-Top Charter, commitment to have more women in senior positions
Introduction of a business principle that explicitly endorses the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 2004
Inclusive Company Recognition by Labor Ministry of Mexico 2008
ING has nine Employee Networks around the world representing 10% of workforce population 2009
2009
27
Timeline Business Timeline People
Timeline Community Timeline Environment
ING Vysya Foundation was established in India to make a difference in the lives of children ING Foundation Australia was established to make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged Australians 1978
1990
28
ING employees started giving reading lessons to children at primary schools in Rotterdam and The Hague in the Netherlands 1992
ING in China sets up ‘ING Insurance Scholarship Fund’ in Dongbei University Finance & Economics Creation of ING personnel donation fund 1998
1999
In the Slovak Republic the Charity Fund Lion started supporting children that are in need, especially ING clients’ children Introduction of the global ING Globerunners programme, including the Run for Something Better Launch new catalogue of ING 2003 Collection ‘Art in the Office’
The ING Foundation in the USA was founded 2002 ING Life Korea signs an agreement with UNICEF that supports the Sharing Benefit campaign 2001
2000
ING Life Hong Kong received the Caring Company Award 2004
The Dutch ING Chances for Children programme office was founded. 2006 ING has provided 125,000 children with access to primary schooling for one year via UNICEF 2007
ING was sponsor of the Junior Achievement competition in the Czech Republic 2004 The Philanthropic Fund in Belgium started its activities ING Chances for Children programme launched with partner UNICEF 2005
More than 12,000 employees participated in volunteering activities during the ING Global Challenge 2008
2009
29
Timeline Business Timeline People Timeline Community
Timeline Environment
First environmental annual report 1995
Formulation of environmental policy ‘towards a stimulating environmental policy’ for ING Group 1994
1990
30
ING becomes main sponsor of the Society for the Preservation of Nature (Stichting Natuurmonumenten) ING received ACC award in the Netherlands for best Dutch 1996 environmental report 1998
1999
ING remained carbon neutral 100% of the emissions caused by business travel are compensated 2006
ING joined the Global Roundtable on Climate Change to discuss and explore areas critical to shaping sound public policies on climate change ING adopted the ING Environmental Statement 2005
2000
ING became carbon neutral by taking energy efficiency measures, purchasing green energy and offsetting the remaining carbon emissions
57% of all business units implemented additional energyefficiency measures In the Netherlands, the US and Belgium, 100% of all electricity ING purchased was green 63% of all electricity ING purchased worldwide is derived from wind, solar and hydro power ING Australia helps to save the Snubfin Dolphin in partnership with World Wildlife Fund 2008
ING launched a global environmental awareness programme ‘Orange Goes Green’
ING will finalise the global ING Sustainable Paper Policy 2009
500 volunteers planted 5,000 trees in Cerro el Coyote in Guadalajara (Mexico) 2007
2009
31
32
33
” Carla Kip ING Project & Change manager “Treat the world the way you want to be treated: Be Fair.”
34
Our business is quite simple: money goes in, money goes out. From you we receive savings, insurance fees and pension payments. We invest part of this with the intention of making more money for both of us. We also provide loans, give mortgages and pay pensions.
Customers are increasingly interested in the way we invest their money. We welcome their curiosity. We share their desire to contribute to something meaningful and their need to avoid doing harm. We also acknowledge their need for more insight into how we work and reassurance that we are doing a good job.
Responsible business is, first and foremost, about business. And it is our business – and responsibility – to provide great financial products and services. As a commercial enterprise, we also want to make a profit. But the end does not justify the means, just as doing well does not preclude doing good.
Which is why we have adopted policies that help us make sound investment decisions and why we are offering sustainable products. And it is why we focus on the financial basics and on being clear and transparent. The following pages will give you a clearer sense of how we do this.
35
36
Since your money influences the world around you, we want to use it wisely. Not just by following laws and regulations, but by meeting social, environmental and ethical criteria. We will not use money for illegal, harmful or unethical purposes, or invest in countries that violate human rights on a large scale. These and other important convictions are encoded into our Business Principles and Environmental and Social Risk Policy Framework.
These documents are more than just pretty words. They have guided us, for example, in deciding not to finance activities in Burma or Sudan. We will not provide loans to companies that generate their revenues mainly in these countries, and we will not cooperate with - or finance - the governments of these countries. Of course, we make an exception for humanitarian aid or UNcommissioned programmes or missions.
37
38
Sometimes people feel they need a PhD in astrophysics to understand the world of finance. But in reality, much of our work revolves around individuals such as you. ING is here to help you make the best possible financial decisions. So you can give yourself a foundation upon which to build your life. It is our conviction that financial products and services should be simple, clear and easy to understand. So you know what it is you buy and what kind of risks are involved. And so you can feel in control of your financial future in each phase of your life. ING is with you every step of the way.
Confidence is built from an early age. Which is why we invest in the financial education of children. In Korea, for example, we work with our partner UNICEF to teach kids about the world of finance. And in the Netherlands, our Numa’s World game teaches kids the basics of money in a fun way. But it should not be just the welleducated and the affluent with access to our expertise. We believe financial products should be available to everybody. In India, for example, ING Vysya provides micro loans and insurance policies to farmers in remote areas. This way, families become selfreliant and economies blossom.
39
Bizznizz Grow your dream
In Italy, ING Direct started the Coltiva il tuo sogno (Grow your dream) campaign aimed at children aged six to ten in 1,200 elementary schools. It teaches them that savings is a matter of planning and encourages a philosophy of saving in its broadest sense – not just saving money, but also environmental resources and time.
ING in the Netherlands offers account holders aged 12 years and up Bizznizz, a programme that teaches teenagers how to manage their money and how to earn extra money. A web site and a special suitcase contain fun and interactive tools that help them to start and promote their own business.
Kidzzbank.com
ING Vysya Bank in India launched www.kidzzbank.com to help children understand the concept of money and savings in a fun way.
Partnerships at schools
In Peru, we have partnered with Aflatoun, a nonprofit organisation, and the Peruvian Ministry of Education to advance the financial education of children in 26 schools. The programme equips children with the knowledge, skills and confidence to become economically self-reliant.
40
Your number L-earn
L-earn, an online education package from ING Australia, covers key investment topics and is relevant to people regardless of age, risk tolerance, existing wealth or current level of investment and knowledge.
Nearly 50 % of Americans say calculating their retirement number is not easy, and they wouldn’t know where to begin. That’s why ING launched the ‘Your Number’ advertising campaign. It advocates the importance of knowing one’s retirement number and planning accordingly — with a financial professional’s help.
Pensions made clear
ING for Life
ING Retail Life and ING Direct in the US partnered to demystify the process of buying term life insurance. They launched an interactive web site where ‘live’ characters take visitors on a virtual journey to assess their insurance needs.
In 2008, ING Pension Communications in the Netherlands helped 800 companies organise meetings to explain pensions to their staff. Employees could also discuss their personal situation and needs in a private meeting. The quality of information and personal approach of ING’s concept are highly valued by employers and their employees.
41
42
Literacy enables people to get the most out of life. But while reading is taught in elementary school, financial literacy is generally ignored. Without knowing how to manage their money, children – perhaps yours – can miss out on great opportunities. Or worse, make mistakes that take a long time to undo. In 2008, the ING Foundation in the US joined forces with Girls Incorporated, a US advocacy organisation for underserved girls. Together, we developed a unique programme called ING-Girls Inc. Investment Challenge, which aims to give American girls aged 12 to 18 the skills and attitudes to manage their money. The programme teaches girls about the financial markets. We show them how to manage a virtual portfolio and how to invest in mutual funds, stocks, exchange traded funds and more. Girls not only acquire important life skills, but
also gain confidence and motivation to remain in school and pursue higher education. The programme was launched late 2008 in Denver, Alameda County (California), Los Angeles and New York. ING employees assist Girls Inc. professionals in delivering the curriculum, guiding the girls in making investment decisions and serving as mentors and role models. Girls Inc. has honoured ING with the Girls Inc. 2009 Corporate Vision Award. Rhonda Mims, president of the ING Foundation in the US, says the programme empowers young women at a crucial time. “With markets more uncertain than ever, financial literacy has never been more important.” In the US around a million children drop out of school each year, unequipped to face the fast pace of today’s (financial) world.
43
44
Many of you are happy to know our products do no harm. An increasing number of you – both private and corporate clients - feel the need to make a more active contribution. For this growing group we have developed products and services that have sustainability at their core. We provide Sustainable Private Banking, so customers can invest in companies that meet their environmental, social and ethical criteria. Our Socially Responsible Investment team also advises charities and foundations on the most responsible way to invest their money.
We are also proud of our sustainable funds. These invest in high-performing companies that meet certain environmental, social and governance factors. Companies involved in the production of nuclear energy, arms, tobacco, and gambling are excluded, as are companies that breach international labour and human rights conventions. We also provide loans specifically designed for environmentally friendly projects, for example in renewable energy, nature development and biological agriculture. ING Real Estate, one of the world’s largest real estate companies, is also embracing responsibility. It is investing in green retail projects, sustainable urbanism, wind parks, and energy-saving smart metering to name a few initiatives.
45
46
47
” Erich Alejandro Suni Melgar Project manager ING Chances for Children
“Despite of our different languages, nationalities, cultures and personalities, we can achieve big things together. We, as people, can be the change we want to see in the world.”
48
Finance, for all its complexities, is still very much a people business. Behind every product is a group of professionals. Each service is the result of teamwork. From the moment you entrust us with your money to the time you get it back in better shape, it is our people that live up to the promises we make.
This is why we strive to be a good employer. ING offers a healthy and safe workplace where discrimination and unfair treatment are not tolerated. We promote the personal and professional growth of our employees. We provide excellent primary and secondary benefits and development opportunities. In such an environment, our people are capable of doing well and doing good.
49
Mignonne Schleiffert, Consultant Business Support & Planning ING Retail
With operations in more than 40 countries, we want our staff to reflect the diversity of our customers. And we want to harness the collective wisdom of people from all walks of life. Our belief in inclusion extends from you to our own people: we are an open and accepting employer and we do not tolerate discrimination. We invest in diversity programmes that are endorsed by senior executives, including our CEO.
50
Berry Wilson, ING Chief Auditor, CAS Professional Practices Management
Without the desire to act, knowledge and skills are useless tools. That is why ING invests in measuring and improving employee engagement. To you, this means our people put both their mind and their heart into managing your money. Last year’s engagement survey got a high 73% response rate, with the overall average higher than other multinational companies.
51
Irene Duyn, Programme manager ING Arts and Culture
52
ING supports international labour rights standards for all employees. We consider certain human rights fundamental and universal to our workforce. These include the right to freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining and freedom from discrimination. In some European and Latin American countries, we work with labour unions to agree on collective labour agreements.
Responsibility is not an intention; it is the outcome of behaviour. That is why we have extended our existing corporate responsibility training programmes at ING. Responsibility is taught at the ING Business School and is part of the training programmes for young talented employees and wholesale banking staff. This way, our Business Principles and Social Risk Policy Framework are brought to life at every level of the organisation.
53
54
55
“It is all about the quality of our life now and in the future, for our children and children’s children.”
” Stephen Hibbert Global Head of ING Emissions Products 56
Now, more than ever before, we need to strengthen the communities around us. It is within the community that we contribute to each other’s wellbeing and growth. It is a place where we share values and responsibilities. Communities inspire, strengthen and connect. With 124,661 employees in more than 40 countries, ING is part of many communities. And we work hard to strengthen each from the inside out. We roll up our sleeves, get involved and make a difference.
Our ING Chances for Children programme has been running since 2005. The programme has joined forces with UNICEF to give children worldwide a better future. In India, Ethiopia and Zambia we support UNICEF projects aimed at quality education. In addition to these projects, ING is active in the local communities we operate in. Through dozens of local projects on six continents, we have created lasting improvements in the lives of hundred thousands of children.
57
USA Our ING Foundation in the US awards grants to projects that promote children’s education. For example, they work with local communities to create school-based running and fitness programmes. These partnerships, which we call the ING Run for Something Better, introduce young people to the joys and challenges of running and show kids how exercise can help achieve good health.
United Kingdom In London, 40 ING employees help children at two schools with their reading and math. Most of these kids live in some of the worst housing estates in Europe and one in four are refugees. The children love the programme: they improve key skills and feel acknowledged.
The Netherlands Our staff works with the multicultural students from a prevocational secondary education school. They help students improve their conversation skills, coach them, and help them improve presentation skills. They also give one-off economics classes and take students to the museum.
Chile Employees in Chile partner with the Escuela Dr. Treviso Girardi de Cerro Navia school. They donate computers and money, build a library and organise festivities to the great joy of the children. Staff also works with the Saber Mas foundation and support 400 children at the Liceo Victor Jara school.
58
Mexico Our people support Christel House, which aims to help children liberate themselves from poverty. For four years, we have been providing financial support and hands-on volunteer help.
Poland In Poland, we have set up the ING for Children Foundation to provide education to sick or poor children. We promote bibliotherapy, for example, which uses books as a therapeutic means, in our case for children on oncology and haematology wards.
India Our ING Vysya Foundation has been helping disadvantaged children in India since 1978. By getting involved in volunteer programmes and fundraising activities, our staff help charity partners like UNICEF and Christel House.
Thailand Our Thai insurance colleagues support homes for handicapped children. In 2009, they started making monthly donations to UNICEF.
Australia Down under, we volunteer for three charities: the Spastic Centre (children with Cerebral Palsy), Barnardos (children who are victims of abuse, neglect and homelessness) and UNICEF Australia.
59
60
Art enriches society. It connects people and reflects the values and aspirations of communities. ING supports the arts through sponsoring and partnerships and with its own art collection which is shown in exhibitions around the world. Â We share our cultural heritage by loaning art to museums and cultural institutions. A team of ING Art Management specialists gives lectures, presentations and tours and publishes books about the ING art collection. We also advise clients on starting and maintaining their own art collection.
Koen Vermeule Dome, 2008 acrylic and oil on canvas 190 x 180 cm ING Collection
Financial support for the arts helps make cultural heritage accessible to a broader audience. That is one of the reasons why ING sponsors the renowned Rijksmuseum and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in the Netherlands. Â In November 2008, we began to auction some 2,500 of our works of art on www.museumveiling.nl. Each week, 50 pieces go under the virtual hammer. The proceeds go to UNICEF through the ING Chances for Children programme.
61
62
Han Singels Polder Nieuwkoop en Noorden, 2006 C-print 80 x 100 cm ING Collection
63
64
65
Sometimes nature needs a gentle helping hand. That’s why ING has been the main sponsor of the Society for the Preservation of Nature (Stichting Natuurmonumenten) in the Netherlands since 1996. But we do more than just sponsor. Many of ING’s employees volunteer their time and energy to help.
66
Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time. It affects food security, public health, economic growth and, poverty-reduction targets in the poorest areas of the world. At ING, we believe it is our responsibility to contribute to a decarbonisation of the economy. We do this first and foremost by reducing our own impact. We have been carbon neutral since 2007. Some 63% of the energy we use comes from wind, solar and water power and 57% of our business units implemented additional energy efficiency measures in 2008. We are reducing our C02 footprint by promoting the use of
video conferencing, energy efficient cars and public transport. We have also developed paper consumption reduction measures, sustainable paper procurement guidelines and recycling initiatives. But we also conduct our business in such a way that a negative impact on the environment is avoided or minimised as much as possible. We integrate principles of sustainable development into our business decisions and processes. And we work with our main charity partner UNICEF and other civil society groups to integrate climate change measures into our community investment activities.
67
Planting trees in New York In 2008, our staff donated and planted cherry trees in the Sara D. Roosevelt Park in New York. This was part of the city’s Million Trees NYC project, launched to improve its quality of life. We also made a donation to educational programmes that teach students how to take care of their environment. This way, we ensure the trees receive proper care and that the next generation picks up sustainable attitudes.
68
Restoring a forest In Russia, we have been a longterm supporter of WWF’s Nature Reserves and National Parks of Russia programme. In 2008, ING reforested 10 hectares of the Ugra national park, which was partially destroyed by fire in 2006. Employees and students from the local Belyaev school planted 40,000 oak, fir and pine trees.
Cleaning up In Mexico, ING volunteers help clean the Parque Nacional Lagunas de Zempoala.
69
More than 35,000 customers of ING Direct Australia have chosen to receive digital monthly statements. For each customer, ING donated two Australian dollars to a project that was set up in partnership with WWF in our desire to save the Snubfin dolphin. We also donated 50,000 Australian dollars to purchase a research boat that will reveal vital information about the rare species.
70
100% carbon neutral As an office-based organisation, our direct impact mainly derives from our energy and paper consumption and from business travel. Every year we manage to decrease our energy use and we switched entirely to green energy in most of our businesses. The remaining emissions generated by our operations are offset through a certified reforestation project in Asia, and through investments in renewable energy projects.. As a result, we are 100% carbon neutral globally since 2007.
71
72
Embedded in our culture, supported by policies and strengthened by personal involvement, ING employees do their work responsibly and are encouraged to make a tangible and meaningful contribution to society. They are the key to the success of our sustainable development and community investment programmes. Our company’s senior management is also actively involved. Many members of our Executive Board and ING’s Management Council are ambassadors for the ING Chances for Children programme or members of the ING Corporate Responsibility Advisory Council and the ING Chances for Children Foundation. For these ambassadors, thinking and acting on a sustainable basis is an integral part of their daily activities and an important reason for being part of ING.
73
Jan Hommen Chairman of the Executive Board ING Group
How does sustainability play a role in your daily work? The financial crisis has severely damaged the reputation of the financial industry, including ING. In my role as CEO designate of this company, I am very well aware that our licence to operate heavily depends on our ability to restore public confidence in ING. Our customers, and society at large, expect nothing less from us than complete adherence to the highest social, ethical and environmental standards. Therefore, while steering ING through these turbulent times, I consider it my obligation to continuously take the broader social and environmental impacts of our businesses into account.
74
What is your vision on sustainability in the future? Perhaps the good thing about the crisis is that it reinvigorates the thinking process on how we do business and how we organise and structure our society. In that sense, the current crisis - or even the combination of crises - also offers a window of opportunity. Governments, companies and individuals will reassess their priorities. Irresponsible, unethical and unsustainable behaviour will be less and less tolerated. I am confident that this will provide a major boost to environmentally friendly production methods and enhance sustainable behaviour across the globe.
Hans van der Noordaa Member Executive Board ING Group and chairman and CEO Insurance and Investment Management ING Asia/Pacific Chairman ING Chances for Children Foundation
What matters most to you? The well-being of children around the world, including my own. I am proud to have the opportunity to contribute to ING Chances for Children and I also actively support the work of War Child. If we want our next generation to be able to grow up in a safe, healthy and prosperous world and if we want to find answers to global challenges, I believe we need to join forces and make it happen.
What is your vision on sustainability in the future? The current financial crisis has further strengthened my belief that sustainability and business go hand in hand. Not only is it right to do but it will also be essential for our future licence to operate.
Calvijn College, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
75
Carlos Muriel CEO ING Latin America Member Corporate Responsibility Advisory Council
76
What matters most to you? The future of all that lives. We support young children from the poorest areas of our cities, which is of great importance to me personally and to all the employees of ING in Latin America. But, I also strongly care for nature. My home country Mexico has such an impressive and rich heritage of forests and oceans. This is something to protect and cherish. If I weren’t a banker, I would most probably be a marine biologist!Â
What is your vision on sustainability in the future? Although I am worried about global challenges such as poverty, urbanisation and the loss of biodiversity due to global warming, I look at the future with optimism. Human kind has succeeded in putting a man on the moon, so I believe we should also be capable of protecting our planet for our children and grand children.
Christel House, Mexico City, Mexico
77
Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, India
Vaughn Richtor Managing Director & CEO ING Vysya Bank Member Corporate Responsibility Advisory Council
What matters most to you? For India to complete its development, the large population living at or below the poverty line must emerge to play a full part in that development. While we cannot expect to immediately solve such a large problem, every child we help educate and every person we help to finance their future is a step in the right direction.
78
How does sustainability play a role in your daily work? The opportunity to make a difference is one of the great joys of working in India. The ING Foundation here is committed to providing a good education to children who would otherwise be deprived of this essential part of their development. With our rural branch network we also get the opportunity to build a presence in the area of microfinance and in bringing banking services to the underbanked areas of the country.
Heather Loewenthal Chief Compliance Officer ING Group Member Corporate Responsibility Advisory Council
How does sustainability play a role in your daily work? Sustainability has two aspects for my role - building sustainable business and reducing environmental impact. Managing compliance risk is not only focused on meeting our regulatory requirements but also on ING Group’s Business Principles that are the building blocks for sustainable businesses. We are also mindful of reducing our environmental impact, for example, making greater use of electronic communication and e-learning to minimise paper and travel. A key message from the Compliance Risk Management Function is to strengthen our culture of “doing the right things, in the right way, even when nobody is watching”.
What is your vision on sustainability in the future? Sustainability is the future! Changes in society, global climate and resource shortages move us all to strive to sustain our world. Businesses must take the lead in adapting to this reality.
79
Catherine Smith CEO US Retirement Services Member Corporate Responsibility Advisory Council
What matters most to you? Doing whatever we can to create a cleaner world that will be there for our children and future generations. We can and should do our part at ING, since it’s still in the early phases, by encouraging customers to use on-line statements, working with environmentally friendly vendors and, when possible, using only recycled paper that originates from sustainable sources.
80
What is your vision on sustainability in the future? I’m optimistic. There’s more awareness today. And ING stands out as a company committed to doing its part to help the environment – another reason for me to be proud to be an ING employee!
Peter Staal General Manager Credit Risk ING Group Member Corporate Responsibility Advisory Council
How does sustainability play a role in your daily work? I am confronted with sustainability virtually on a daily basis. Our ‘Policy Desk’ looks at environmental and social risks and is responsible for establishing lending criteria for nuclear power, gambling, fur-farms etc. The desk also screens requests for project finance on compliance with the Equator Principles.
What matters most to you? And, in my current job as Head of Credit Risk Management: ‘getting through the credit crisis as ING’. On a personal level, of course, my family.
81
Tom Waldron Executive Vice President Human Resources & Brand ING Americas Member Corporate Responsibility Advisory Council
How does sustainability play a role in your daily work? ING’s commitment to sustainability is “the price of admission” to be in our business. It is expected and there is no negotiation. Our employees, customers and shareholders expect it from a company of our size and scope. We consider sustainability to be one more loop “in that orange thread” that connects the many things ING does which differentiates us from the rest of the pack.
What is your vision on sustainability in the future? Like a lot of the programmes we design and deliver - it is my vision that one day these actions become just the normal rhythm of our everyday operation and mindset. In other words, it just becomes second nature as people go about doing their jobs or making decisions. It becomes a permanent part of our DNA.
82
De Polstok, Amsterdam Zuidoost the Netherlands
Nick Jue CEO ING Retail - the Netherlands, chairman ING in the Netherlands Member ING Chances for Children Foundation
What matters most to you? I would like us to be a company our customers are satisfied with and our employees feel proud about. Furthermore, it is important to me that we help to provide our next generation - both in the Netherlands and abroad - with opportunities for a better future. A few months ago, I participated in a brainstorm session on how ING can help to stop students from dropping out of school in the West of Amsterdam. As a result, we now offer a number of trainee posts to the students, enabling them to get valuable working experience.
What is your vision on sustainability in the future? There is no doubt in my mind that the current economic circumstances will have an impact on us all, whether in terms of risks or opportunities or both. The shifts that make sustainability of growing importance today will continue to evolve. It is up to us all to understand what’s happening, and to respond, act and commit to making a difference.
83
Frank Koster General Manager Corporate Communications ING Group Member ING Chances for Children Foundation
What is your vision on sustainability in the future? I am an optimist, so I believe every challenge comes with opportunity. We face a financial crisis that will affect us all. But, it will also provide us with a chance to search for the right balance between economic wealth and our individual responsibility for the world around us.
Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, India
84
How does sustainability play a role in your daily work? In my previous position, as CEO of ING Vysya Life in India, I was able to contribute to the work of the ING Vysya Foundation. We helped to fund primary schools in Bangalore and encouraged ING staff to volunteer. This experience has made me realise that we can all contribute to positive change. It also is a good background to have in my current position, working with the Corporate Responsibility and ING Chances for Children team on developing our social, ethical and environmental strategy and programmes.
What is your vision on sustainability in the future? Population growth, climate change and the shortage of natural resources will have consequences on how we live our lives. But, challenging circumstances are the windows of opportunity for change. I hope that ten years from now we will be able to say that the present economic down turn was a motivator for taking better care of our planet. After all, we are a part of it and heavily depend on it.
Dailah Nihot Head Corporate Responsibility ING Group Chair Corporate Responsibility Advisory Council Director ING Chances for Children Foundation
What matters most to you? Life. In all shapes and forms.
85
Colophon This book is compiled by ING Corporate Responsibilty & Sustainable Development Concept & Design Terralemon www.terralemon.nl Copy Ilja van Roon, Lucid Communication Photography Page 4, 34, 48, 50, 51, 52, 56, 75, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85; Marco Sweering Page 27; Andy Wilson Page 29; UNICEF / Sander Stoepker Page 60; Robert Vendrig, Amsterdam Page 62; Han Singel / Courtesy Galerie Van Zoetendaal Page 69; WWF Page 83; Michiel van Nieuwkerk The following Creative Commons licensed photos were used: page 19 - Ed Yourdon | www.flickr.com/photos/yourdon/2715583000/ page 20 - Johann van Tonder | www.flickr.com/photos/23296130@N06/3024313807 page 21 - Jenny Spadafora | www.flickr.com/photos/jspad/1503100402/
Production Comrads into communication For more info: Visit www.ing.com/cr or read the ING Corporate Responsibility Performance Report, which provides more data and detailed information on ING’s performance in the field of Corporate Responsibility in 2008. For more questions: corporate.responsibility@ing.com Copyright Š 2009 ING Groep N.V. Printed in The Netherlands, May 2009 Version 1.1
86
Disclaimer This ING brochure ‘ING in Society’ is made for the purpose of informing our stakeholders and to give details of ING’s commitment and performance regarding corporate responsibility. Nothing in this document is intended to extend or amend ING’s existing obligations to its clients, shareholders or other stakeholders. All policies, procedures, guidelines, statements or anything similar that have been mentioned in this brochure are intended for ING internal purposes only, and under no circumstance should they be construed as creating any rights whatsoever to third parties. In assessing compliance with any of the policies and guidelines, the standards applied are subjective and any decision in relation thereto remains within ING’s discretion. ING does not accept liability for whatever consequences may result from its not adhering to these policies, procedures, criteria, instructions, statements and guidelines. ING reserves the right to change, amend or withdraw policies, procedures, guidelines and statements at its discretion at any time and can, at its own discretion, decide to make available to third parties (details of) policies, procedures, guidelines, statements or anything similar that have been mentioned in this brochure. This document refers, by hyperlinks or other means, to information provided by third parties. The reasonableness, accuracy or completeness of such information has not been verified by ING and links to other sites do not constitute ING’s approval or endorsement of such sites or their products or advertisements. ING accepts no liability whatsoever in connection with any such information that has been or will be provided by third parties. The copyrights to this document belong to ING Groep N.V. Your use of this document establishes your agreement not to reproduce, retransmit, distribute, sell, republish, broadcast, or circulate the content of this document without the prior written consent of ING Corporate Responsibility & Sustainable Development.
87