Increasingly, companies are being asked to report on their
environmental, social and ethical performance, sometimes called
"sustainability" reporting; yet a wide range of
stakeholders have strikingly divergent opinions on what companies
should disclose and how they should disclose it.
This index links to RBC sustainability information that addresses
GRI indicators.
| GRI # |
Indicator |
Links to
RBC Information |
| 1. Strategy
and Analysis |
| 1.1 |
Statement from the most senior decision
maker of the organization (e.g., CEO, chair, or equivalent
senior position) about the relevance of sustainability
to the organization and its strategy. |
A Year of Doing Better
See page 1 of our 2007 Corporate Responsibility Report. |
| 2. Organization
Profile |
| 2.1 |
Name of the Organization |
Royal Bank of Canada RBC Financial
Group |
| 2.2 |
Primary brands, products, and/or services |
See
our Annual Report |
| 2.3 |
Operational structure of the organization,
including main divisions, operating companies, subsidiaries,
and joint ventures. (2.4) |
About RBC - Corporate Profile |
| 2.4 |
Location of organization’s headquarters. |
About RBC - Corporate Profile |
| 2.5 |
Number of countries where the organization
operates, and names of countries with either major operations
or that are specifically relevant to the sustainability
issues covered in the report |
We operate in more than 40 countries. |
| 2.6 |
Nature of ownership and legal form. |
This information is disclosed
in our Annual
Report |
| 2.7 |
Markets served (including geographic breakdown,
sectors served, and types of customers/beneficiaries) |
This information is disclosed
in our Annual Report, Annual
Information Form. |
| 2.8 |
Scale of the reporting organization |
This information is disclosed in
our Annual Report, Annual
Information Form. |
| 2.9 |
Significant changes during the reporting
period regarding size, structure, or ownership. |
This information is disclosed
in our Annual Report |
| 2.10 |
Awards received in the reporting period. |
Awards
and Firsts |
| 3. Report
Parameters |
| Report Profile |
| 3.1 |
Reporting period (e.g., fiscal/ information
provided. |
The information on this page is
intended as an index to all of RBC's publicly available
current sustainability reporting as of our fiscal year
end, 2007. This site also includes additional information
not published elsewhere and information that has become
newly available for 2008. |
| 3.2 |
Date of most recent previous report (if
any). |
At present, RBC does not issue
a one-stop sustainability report: rather, we report various
measures in existing publications as appropriate: such
as our Annual Report, Proxy Statements, annual Corporate
Responsibility Report. We produce all these publications
on an annual basis in print, and update this index on
a regular basis. |
| 3.3 |
Reporting cycle (annual, biennial, etc.) |
Annual |
| 3.4 |
Contact point for questions regarding the
report or its contents. |
corporateresponsibility@rbc.com |
| Report Scope and Boundary |
| 3.5 |
Process for defining report content. |
Reporting
Scope
See the inside front cover of our 2007
Corporate Responsibility
Report
Stakeholders |
| 3.6 |
Boundary of the report. |
This website, as well as our Annual
Report and Corporate Responsibility Report, cover activities
for RBC as a whole —our operations around the world, including
all our subsidiaries, unless otherwise noted. |
| 3.7 |
State any specific limitations on the scope
or boundary of the report. |
Scope
See the inside front cover of our 2007
Corporate
Responsibility Report
Stakeholders |
| 3.8 |
Basis for reporting on joint ventures, subsidiaries,
leased facilities, outsourced operations, and other entities
that can significantly affect comparability from period
to period and/or between organizations. |
Public Accountability Statement
See page 35 of our 2007
Corporate Responsibility
Report
About RBC - Corporate Profile |
| 3.10 |
Explanation of the effect of any re-statements
of information provided in earlier reports, and the reasons
for such re-statement. |
As of June 2005, we have revised
our GHG emissions for 2003 and 2004. RBC calculates GHG
emissions based on standards recommended by the WBCSD
(World Business Council for Sustainable Development).
Before 2003, we calculated our GHG emissions of oil and
gas. In 2004, we were able to calculate our GHG emissions
of oil, gas and electricity purchased from third-parties.
As such, we have amended our total GHG emissions figures
for 2003 and 2004. |
| 3.11 |
Significant changes from previous reporting
periods in the scope, boundary, or measurement methods
applied in the report. |
As of June 2005, we have revised
our GHG emissions for 2003 and 2004. RBC calculates GHG
emissions based on standards recommended by the WBCSD
(World Business Council for Sustainable Development).
Before 2003, we calculated our GHG emissions of oil and
gas. In 2004, we were able to calculate our GHG emissions
of oil, gas and electricity purchased from third-parties.
As such, we have amended our total GHG emissions figures
for 2003 and 2004. |
| GRI Content index |
| 3.12 |
Table identifying the location of the Standard
Disclosures in the report. |
GRI Index
|
| Assurance |
| 3.13 |
Policy and current practice with regard
to seeking external assurance for the report. If not included
in the assurance report accompanying the sustainability
report, explain the scope and basis of any external assurance
provided. Also explain the relationship between the reporting
organization and the assurance provider(s). |
At present, RBC does not have
third-party verification or auditing of our non-financial
reporting. This website, as well as our annual Corporate
Responsibility Report and Public Accountability Statement
are reviewed by our internal Compliance department (Risk
Management) by Legal, and internal subject matter experts. |
| 4. Governance,
Commitments, and Engagement |
| Governance |
| 4.1 |
Governance structure of the organization,
including committees under the highest governance body
responsible for specific tasks, such as setting strategy
or organizational oversight. |
For information, see 2007
Annual Report |
| 4.2 |
Indicate whether the Chair of the highest
governance body is also an executive officer (and, if
so, their function within the organization’s management
and the reasons for this arrangement). |
Governance
web site
Director Independence Policy
2007
Annual Report |
| 4.3 |
For organizations that have a unitary board
structure, state the number of members of the highest
governance body that are independent and/or non-executive
members. |
Governance
web site
Director Independence Policy
2007
Annual Report |
| 4.4 |
Mechanisms for shareholders and employees
to provide recommendations or direction to the highest
governance body. |
See our Management
Proxy Circular |
| 4.5 |
Linkage between compensation for members
of the highest governance body, senior managers, and executives
(including departure arrangements), and the organization’s
performance (including social and environmental performance). |
See our Management
Proxy Circular |
| 4.6 |
Processes in place for the highest governance
body to ensure conflicts of interest are avoided. |
See our Management
Proxy Circular |
| 4.8 |
Internally developed statements of mission
or values, codes of conduct, and principles relevant to
economic, environmental, and social performance and the
status of their implementation. |
Corporate
Responsibility Vision and Principles
Principles, Codes
and Policies |
| 4.9 |
Procedures of the highest governance body
for overseeing the organization's identification and management
of economic, environmental, and social performance, including
relevant risks and opportunities, and adherence or compliance
with internationally agreed standards, codes of conduct,
and principles. |
See our Management
Proxy Circular |
| Commitments to External Initiatives |
| 4.12 |
Externally developed economic, environmental,
and social charters, principles, or other initiatives
to which the organization subscribes or endorses. |
Principles,
Codes and Policies
Approach - Vision
and Principles
|
| 4.13 |
Memberships in associations (such as industry
associations) and/or national/international advocacy organizations.
|
Affiliations
|
| Stakeholder Engagement |
| 4.14 |
List of stakeholder groups engaged by the
organization. |
Stakeholders |
| 4.15 |
Basis for identification and selection of
stakeholders with whom to engage. |
Stakeholders |
| 4.16 |
Approaches to stakeholder engagement, including
frequency of engagement by type and by stakeholder group. |
Stakeholders
|
| 4.17 |
Key topics and concerns that have been raised
through stakeholder engagement, and how the organization
has responded to those key topics and concerns, including
through its reporting. |
Stakeholders |
| 5. Management
Approach and Performance Indicators |
| Economic
Performance Indicators |
| Economic performance |
| EC1 |
Direct economic value generated and distributed,
including revenues, operating costs, employee compensation,
donations and other community investments, retained earnings,
and payments to capital providers and governments. |
See 2007
Annual Report
Donations and Sponsorships
|
| EC2 |
Financial implications and other risks and
opportunities for the organization’s activities due to
climate change. |
Climate
Change |
| EC3 |
Coverage of the organization's defined benefit
plan obligations. |
Rewards |
| Market Presence |
| EC6 |
Policy, practices, and proportion of spending
on locally-based suppliers at significant locations of
operation. |
Purchasing
|
| Indirect Economic Impacts |
| EC8 |
Development and impact of infrastructure
investments and services provided primarily for public
benefit through commercial, in-kind, or pro bono engagement. |
Fostering Growth
Access
to Banking - Low income and underserved clients
|
| EC9 |
Understanding and describing significant
indirect economic impacts, including the extent of impacts. |
Fostering
Growth |
| Environmental |
| Environmental
Performance Indicators |
| Materials |
| EN1 |
Materials used by weight or volume. |
Footprint
Summary Report
Reduction
Initiatives Performance Report |
| EN2 |
Percentage of materials used that are recycled
input materials. |
Footprint
Summary Report
Reduction
Initiatives Performance Report |
| Energy |
| EN3 |
Direct energy consumption by primary energy
source. |
Footprint
Summary Report
Reduction
Initiatives Performance Report |
| EN4 |
Indirect energy consumption by primary source. |
Footprint
Summary Report
Reduction
Initiatives Performance Report |
| EN5 |
Energy saved due to conservation and efficiency
improvements. |
Footprint
Summary Report
Reduction
Initiatives Performance Report |
| EN6 |
Initiatives to provide energy-efficient
or renewable energy based products and services, and reductions
in energy requirements as a result of these initiatives. |
Programs,
products and services |
| EN7 |
Initiatives to reduce indirect energy consumption
and reductions achieved. |
Responsible
Lending |
| Biodiversity |
| EN12 |
Description of significant impacts of activities,
products, and services on biodiversity in protected areas
and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected
areas. |
Forestry,
biodiversity, indigenous peoples |
| EN14 |
Strategies, current actions, and future
plans for managing impacts on biodiversity. |
Forestry,
biodiversity, indigenous peoples |
| Emmissions, Effluents and Waste |
| EN16 |
Total direct and indirect greenhouse gas
emissions by weight. |
Footprint
Summary Report
Reduction
Initiatives Performance Report |
| EN18 |
Initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and reductions achieved. |
Footprint
Summary Report
Reduction
Initiatives Performance Report |
| EN22 |
Total weight of waste by type and disposal
method. |
Reduction
Initiatives |
| Products and Services |
| EN26 |
Initiatives to mitigate environmental impacts
of products and services, and extent of impact mitigation. |
Product
Responsibility |
| Transport |
| EN29 |
Significant environmental impacts of transporting
products and other goods and materials used for the organization's
operations, and transporting members of the workforce. |
Footprint
Summary Report |
| Social Performance
Indicators |
| Labour Practices
and Decent Work |
| Employment |
| LA1 |
Total workforce by employment type, employment
contract, and region. |
Workplace
|
| LA2 |
Total number and rate of employee turnover
by age group, gender, and region. |
Workplace
|
| LA3 |
Benefits provided to full-time employees
that are not provided to temporary or part-time employees,
by major operations. |
Rewards |
| Transport |
| LA4 |
Percentage of employees covered by collective
bargaining agreements. |
Policies
- Freedom of Association |
| Aspect: Occupational Health
and Safety |
| LA6 |
Percentage of total workforce represented
in formal joint management-worker health and safety committees
that help monitor and advise on occupational health and
safety programs. |
Rewards |
| LA7 |
Rates of injury, occupational diseases,
lost days, and absenteeism, and number of work-related
fatalities by region. |
Due to the nature of our workplace,
incidents are rare and number of lost working hours is
insignificant. An online Vacation & Absence Management
System was introduced in October 2003 to capture absenteeism
data. The data is not robust enough to report at this
time. Information about accidents and injuries is collected
centrally for federally regulated employees only. |
| LA8 |
Education, training, counseling, prevention,
and risk-control programs in place to assist workforce
members, their families, or community members regarding
serious diseases |
Rewards |
| Training and Education |
| LA10 |
Average hours of training per year per employee
by employee category. |
Rewards |
| LA11 |
Programs for skills management and lifelong
learning that support the continued employability of employees
and assist them in managing career endings. |
Rewards |
| LA12 |
Percentage of employees receiving regular
performance and career development reviews. |
Rewards |
| Diversity and Equal Opportunity |
| LA13 |
Composition of governance bodies and breakdown
of employees per category according to gender, age group,
minority group membership, and other indicators of diversity. |
See our Management
Proxy Circular
Diversity and Inclusion
|
| Human Rights |
| Human Rights
Performance Indicators |
| Investment And Procurement
Practices |
| HR1 |
Percentage and total number of significant
investment agreements that include human rights clauses
or that have undergone human rights screening. |
Purchasing
|
| HR2 |
Percentage of significant suppliers and
contractors that have undergone screening on human rights
and actions taken. |
Purchasing
|
| Freedom Of Association And Collective
Bargaining |
| HR5 |
Operations identified in which the right
to exercise freedom of association and collective bargaining
may be at significant risk, and actions taken to support
these rights. |
Policies
- Freedom of Association |
| Society |
| Society Performance
Indicators |
| Community |
| SO1 |
Nature, scope, and effectiveness
of any programs and practices that assess and manage the
impacts of operations on communities, including entering,
operating, and exiting. |
Access
to Banking Services
Reaching out
to clients 24/7 |
| Corruption |
| SO3 |
Percentage of employees trained
in organization’s anti-corruption policies and procedures. |
Principles,
codes and policies |
| Corruption |
| SO5 |
Public policy positions and participation
in public policy development and lobbying. |
Stakeholder
Engagement - Government
Governance
and Ethics - Political Contributions and Lobbying
|
| SO6 |
Total value of financial and in-kind
contributions to political parties, politicians, and related
institutions by country. |
Governance
and Ethics - Political Contributions and Lobbying
|
| Product Responsibility |
| Product Responsibility
performance Indicators |
| Customer Health And Safety |
| PR1 |
Life cycle stages in which health
and safety impacts of products and services are assessed
for improvement, and percentage of significant products
and services categories subject to such procedures. |
Product
Responsibility |
| Product and Service Labeling |
| PR5 |
Practices related to customer
satisfaction, including results of surveys measuring customer
satisfaction. |
Stakeholders
Marketplace |
| Marketing Communications |
| PR6 |
Programs for adherence to laws,
standards, and voluntary codes related to marketing communications,
including advertising, promotion, and sponsorship |
Principles, Codes and Policies- Voluntary
Codes of Conduct |
| Customer Privacy |
| PR8 |
Total number of substantiated
complaints regarding breaches of customer privacy and
losses of customer data. |
Ombudsman
- 2007 Annual Report |
