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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.
Headquartered in Switzerland, it is dedicated to sustainable financing. RBI has been a member of this initiative,
which now has over 200 members, since 1998. Since its founding, a “global roundtable” has been held each
year that 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 by orienting
the strategy and business activities of the companies to the ten principles (in the core areas of human rights, labor,
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, about 10,000 companies in more than 160 countries have signed up to this initiative. So far nearly
60,000 reports have been written, testifying to the high level of commitment. 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 49 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 composed of researchers from the cross-sectional business areas of business
management, banking, finance, and sustainability was formed with the role of inspiring and assisting in the work
of the VfU. www.vfu.de
Raiffeisen Bank International | Sustainability Report 2018