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RBC releases 2008 Corporate Responsibility Report and Public
Accountability Statement
TORONTO, February 9, 2009 — RBC has released
its 2008 Corporate Responsibility Report and Public Accountability
Statement. This 73-page publication is exclusively available
in electronic format, as part of the company's move towards
environmental sustainability. It contains an overview of RBC's
economic impact, business and workplace practices, and its
impact on society and the environment. A short summary of
the report, the Corporate Responsibility Review, is available
in print.
RBC highlights from 2008 include:
- provided employment to more than 80,100 people worldwide
in full- and part-time positions;
- paid $7.8 billion in employee compensation and benefits
and $2.08 billion in taxes;
- expanded branch and ATM network in Canada, the United
States and the Caribbean;
- named one of Canada's Top 200 Employers;
- purchased clean, renewable green power for 76 branches
across Canada;
- committed $13.2 million in RBC Blue Water Project grants
to 64 organizations globally to support watershed protection
and access to clean drinking water;
- contributed $99 million to community causes worldwide,
through donations of more than $51.5 million, and an additional
$47.5 million in sponsorship of community events and national
organizations.
The Corporate Responsibility Review, Annual Report to Shareholders
and Proxy Circular are all "carbon neutral." This
is one of 44 commitments from the RBC Environmental Blueprint,
launched in 2007 to help the company become more sustainable
and reduce its environmental impact. RBC determined the amount
of greenhouse gas emissions and natural resources used to
produce and transport these publications, and offset those
emissions through the purchase and retirement of certified
emission reductions recognized under the Kyoto Protocol.
The 2008 Corporate Responsibility Report is available online
at rbc.com. The 2008 Corporate Responsibility Review is available
in print at RBC branches, and online at rbc.com. Both publications
are available in audio format on request.
RBC is listed on the 2008-2009 Dow Jones Sustainability Index,
recognizing the world's financial, social and environmental
corporate leaders, as well as the Jantzi Social Index and
the FTSE4Good Index. The company was recently named to the
"Global 100: Most Sustainable Corporations in the World"
2009 list. RBC was also among 67 companies and one of only
18 financial institutions worldwide named to the Carbon Disclosure
Leadership Index 2008, a prestigious honour roll of world
leaders at understanding and managing the financial risks
and opportunities resulting from climate change.
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For further information: please contact:
Stephanie Lu, Director, Media Relations, (416) 974-5506
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