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Ecological product responsibility
RBI cares about the environment. We therefore always consider the associated environmental
consequences of the products and services we offer. In particular, financing of or participation in
transactions or projects which put the environment at risk of lasting effect are not in accordance
with our business policy. Our goal is to reduce the negative impacts of our business activities on
the environment to the minimum and to lower CO2 emissions. RBI is committed to complying with all applicable
environmental regulations in each country within its business operations and service sectors. It acts in an
environmentally-conscious manner and continually strives to improve its own environmental balance as well as
the environmental balance attributable to its product and services portfolio.
When making decisions, every employee must consider the potential risks posed by a transaction or project
that could lead to negative impacts on the environment. The risks range from endangering the environment to
the associated risk for the financing business as well as the resulting damage to the group’s reputation. In
addition, for each financing and project approval it must be ensured that the company being financed is using
the funds in a way that ensures compliance with the respective regional and EU environmental legislation as
well as with the international agreements on protecting the environment.
Carbon policy
RBI is committed to promoting environmentally friendly technologies. The declared fight against
climate change, based on the 2015 Paris climate agreement, has given impetus to our ambitions
in this area. We see this as a chance for new business fields, such as in the areas of renewable
energy, electric mobility, energy efficiency and resource management. The climate agreement could drive
investments in these areas and provide new impetus for innovation. We have therefore established restrictions
on our own practices that apply across the entire RBI. For example, we avoid financing new thermal coal
mining projects and new business relationships with customers in the thermal coal mining sector or companies
where more than 50 percent of the revenue is generated from thermal coal trading. Coal power plants are
only financially invested in on a selective basis and only if the project offers discernible positive environmental
impacts. We are striving to significantly reduce our involvement with thermal coal. Instead, we prioritize
financing projects associated with renewable energy.
Social product responsibility
RBI is aware of the impacts of its business activities on society. Virtually, all payment transactions are processed
through banks and by issuing loans, banks have an influence on the purposes for which funding is utilized. Our
products and services can therefore directly contribute to changing the life situations and consumer behavior of
the population. Indirect influences arise through investments in projects or companies with particular social or
societal relevance, from which people could either benefit or be disadvantaged.
Observing human rights is a basic requirement in connection with all of the products and services
we offer. Specifically, we do not finance transactions connected with forced or child labor or in
violation of the European Convention on Human Rights, obligations under the labor and social
law of the respective country, applicable regulations issued by international organizations
(including the relevant UN conventions), or the rights of local populations or indigenous people. RBI is also
not involved in business with products that can serve to suppress demonstrations or political unrest or infringe
on human rights in some other way. This is especially true for businesses involved in countries in which political
unrest, military conflicts or other violations of human rights are taking place or expected.
Raiffeisen Bank International | Sustainability Report 2018