Our Approach

Sustainability is about creating and maximising sustainable value for all our stakeholders.The starting point is the trust that comes from running our business responsibly, with integrity and openness. We are now embedding sustainability ever deeper into our business, making it an integral part of our actions and decisions.

What sustainability means to ABN AMRO
For ABN AMRO, sustainable development means living our Corporate Values and Business Principles, which constitute ABN AMRO's 'code of ethics'. Sustainable development is a defining feature of ABN AMRO and we try to adapt in a leading and proactive manner to global challenges. These include climate change, energy and fresh water constraints, poverty, environmental degradation and human rights. We recognise the significant role we can play as an international financial institution.

ABN AMRO's impact
Companies can have a 'direct' impact on society and the environment - through their employees and facilities - or an 'indirect' impact - through their business activities. We as a bank make the biggest contribution to sustainable development indirectly - by choosing our business partners (i.e. clients and suppliers) responsibly and taking social, environmental and ethical factors into consideration when providing financial services. ABN AMRO is committed to promoting sustainable development actively across our industry and in business in general.

Focusing our efforts
We are also committed to embedding sustainability in the decision-making and operational structures throughout our business. To help us do this, we have identified six sustainability 'focus areas' that are key to our sustainability performance as an international employer and a major financial institution:

• Being accountable and transparent;
• Protecting our assets;
• Providing responsible financial services;
• Being an employer of choice;
• Minimising our impact on the environment; and
• Supporting local communities.

We see sustainability as journey. We are still on that journey and we certainly do not claim to be perfect. There are limits to what a financial institution can achieve. Although we cannot always meet the wishes of all our diverse stakeholders, we will continue to engage with them, as this will enable us to improve further. We believe sustainable development is the right way forward.

Feedback

We welcome your comments and feedback on how we can improve our sustainability performance. You can use the ABN AMRO contact form or send an e-mail to sustainable.development@nl.abnamro.com