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of political instruments for environmental protection; the strengthening of institutions that undertake important
environmental management; and the improvement of the quality of people’s lives without burdening future
generations. www.unenvironment.org
The financial initiative UNEP FI, United Nations Environment Programme-Finance Initiative, has been in a global
partnership since 1992 with the Environment Programme of the United Nations and the private financial sector.
Its headquarters are in Switzerland and is dedicated to sustainable financing. The RBI has been a member of this
initiative since 1998, which now has over 200 members. Since its founding, a “global roundtable” has been held
each year which is intended to promote exchange on sustainability topics. www.unepfi.org
UNGC
The UNGC – United Nations Global Compact, is the world’s largest initiative for corporate responsibility and
sustainability. It is based on the pledges of CEOs to maintain universal sustainability principles. Those who pledge
to uphold the UNGC also declare their support of the UN goals, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs). Sustainable economics and measures to promote social goals should be achieved through the orientation
of the strategy and business activities of the companies to ten principles (in the core areas of human rights, labour,
environment and anti-corruption) with the help of the UN Global Compact (see page 11). Signatories of the
UN Global Compact thus contribute to making the globalization process fairer.
The vision of the UN Global Compact is a worldwide movement of sustainable companies and stakeholders. At
present, 9,704 companies in 161 countries have joined this initiative. So far 51,800 reports have been written,
testifying to the high level of commitment. Over the course of the next phase, the “Global Compact 3.0”, which
was launched in 2018, there are two opportunities for showing commitment: as a signatory or as a participant.
RBI has emphasized its support through its commitment as a signatory. www.unglobalcompact.at
VfU
VfU Verein für Umweltmanagement und Nachhaltigkeit in Finanzinstituten e.V. (Association for Environmental
Management and Sustainability) was founded in 1995 and is oriented toward sustainability professionals in
financial institutions. The VfU supports the contribution of the financial sector to sustainable development through
its functions as an industry network, organizer and think tank for its 47 members. RBI AG has been a member
since 2006. The association seeks to create a competition-free, confidential space in which the member institutions
can exchange viewpoints regarding sustainability topics and the integration of sustainability into their business
operations. The VfU also offers networking opportunities with science, society and politics. In 2015, a Scientific
Advisory Board has been formed that is composed of researchers from the cross-sectional business areas business
management, banking and finance, and sustainability. In its role, it inspires and accompanies the work of the VfU.
www.vfu.de
Raiffeisen Bank International | Sustainability Report 2017