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RBC believes that sustained economic growth and a healthy
environment are inextricably linked. We take a leading industry
role to support and advocate sustainable business practices
in terms of providing financial services, especially credit.
We also focus on minimizing our environmental footprint in
our own facilities and operations.
2006 Highlights
- RBC re-commits to Equator Principles. More.
- RBC Capital Markets was involved in a unique, £150
million ($267 million) fund that will invest in renewable
energy projects in the Republic of Ireland and Northern
Ireland. More.
- RBC completed its fourth submission to the Carbon Disclosure
Project in May, 2006. This is an initiative sponsored by
a coalition of 155 leading institutional investors worldwide
that collectively manage $21 trillion in assets, who share
a desire to know the degree to which large companies are
exposed to climate change risks, and how they are managing
them.
- We are developing an awareness program to help employees
reduce consumption of electricity.
- We have been replacing inefficient lighting systems in
our branches since 2004. By the end of 2006, one-quarter
of our Canadian branches will be complete.
- This year, RBC will complete installation of occupancy
sensor lights in major locations.
- RBC embarked on a pilot project with an external vendor
that provides environmentally- friendly relocation and disposal
of furniture and equipment.
- RBC used FSC-certified paper for printing our 2005 Annual
Report and 2005 Corporate Responsibility reports, our two
flagship corporate publications.
2005 Performance Highlights
- Named to the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations
in the World ranking, the Dow Jones Sustainability World
Index (sixth consecutive year), the Dow Jones Sustainability
North America Index, the Jantzi Social Index, and the FTSE4Good
Index (fourth consecutive year), recognizing the world's
financial, social and environmental leaders.
- Evaluated environmental impact of two development projects
using the Equator Principles (adopted in 2003).
- Financed 26 wind farms in North America, the U.K., France
and the Republic of Ireland.
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 2,619 tonnes since
2003, through energy-efficiency projects and Green Power
programs.
- Purchased 1,530 megawatt hours of Green Power through
BC Hydro and Bullfrog Power in Ontario.
- Introduced "paperless" statements for online
banking clients, which will save 40 tonnes of paper annually.
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