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Societal Challenges and Our Ambitions
Today’s societal challenges have the potential to undermine the ability of our clients, employees, shareholders, and communities to thrive and prosper. We want to do our part to help address these challenges and aim to engage others to contribute to addressing them.
Urgent Environmental Crisis
The emissions generated to support our lives and livelihoods are placing the planet on an unsustainable path.
Rapidly Changing Workforce
Advanced technologies are creating millions of rewarding careers, but livelihoods are also being displaced and industries dislocated by the rapid shift in skills required.
Growing Inequalities
Disparities in financial well-being are widening and many people lack the support or opportunity to move up the economic ladder, exacerbating growing inequalities.
transition to a
greener economy
We are helping our clients preserve and protect the environment by working with them to identify, finance and scale innovative climate technologies.
thriving future
We are helping to prepare our workforce for a quickly changing world, improving access to skills, training and resources that will help evolve and strengthen our economy.
We are helping to foster inclusivity by supporting access to equitable opportunities through products, services, and personalized advice.
Urgent Environmental Crisis
The emissions generated to support our lives and livelihoods are placing the planet on an unsustainable path.
transition to a
greener economy
We are helping our clients preserve and protect the environment by working with them to identify, finance and scale innovative climate technologies.
Rapidly Changing Workforce
Advanced technologies are creating millions of rewarding careers, but livelihoods are also being displaced and industries dislocated by the rapid shift in skills required.
thriving future
We are helping to prepare our workforce for a quickly changing world, improving access to skills, training and resources that will help evolve and strengthen our economy.
Growing Inequalities
Disparities in financial well-being are widening and many people lack the support or opportunity to move up the economic ladder, exacerbating growing inequalities.
We are helping to foster inclusivity by supporting access to equitable opportunities through products, services, and personalized advice.
Our Contributions
We know ambitions are not enough. We will drive toward our ambitions, leveraging the full force of the organization – our business and operations, people, research and insights and community investments – to make important contributions.
- Mobilize Climate Action
- Support Financial Wellbeing
- Invest for Skills
- Champion Inclusion
- Strengthen Community Resilience
Mobilize Climate Action
We are doing our part to help the transition to net-zero by backing initiatives that address climate change and support nature.
To support climate innovation, we have allocated $48 million to venture capital and growth equity funds in 2023.
RBC has facilitated $29 billion in green finance1 as part of our $500 billion commitment to sustainable finance2 by 2025.
The RBC Climate Action Institute brings together economists, policy analysts and business strategists to help provide research and advance ideas that can contribute to Canada’s climate progress.
In 2023, RBC Tech for Nature3 , supported 150 partners in clean tech, agriculture, energy and nature-based climate solutions through $21+ million in community investments funded by RBC and RBC Foundation.
Support Financial Wellbeing
We enable individuals and small businesses to build confidence, establish financial security and reach their goals through dedicated products, services, and partnerships.
RBC launched Canada’s new First Home Savings Account in 2023 to help Canadians save tax free for their first home.
My Money Matters is our new digital destination, with comprehensive content, resources, and tools to help Canadians take control of their financial wellbeing.
RBC’s collaboration with McGill University, the McGill Personal Finance Essentials course is available to all Canadians without cost.
Invest for Skills
We are co-creating solutions and supporting the delivery of programs that help people to find meaningful work today in preparation for the jobs of tomorrow.
In 2023, over 3 million hours have been invested by our global workforce in building their technical and business skills5.
Through RBC Emerging Artists, RBC and RBC Foundation invested over $130 million in charities and not-for-profit organizations to support more than 44,000 artists establish and grow their careers since program launch in 20046.
Through RBC Future Launch, RBC and RBC Foundation have reached 6.9+ million Canadian youth and provided $393+ million in support through 900+ partner programs to help young people access meaningful employment since 20177.
The RBC Foundation Green Skills Scholarship in partnership with Universities Canada, launched in 2023, is focused on supporting students’ (aged 25+) green skills education in key sectors.
Champion Inclusion
RBC is proud to embody a culture of inclusivity and belonging. We do this by creating, enhancing and supporting opportunities that help employees, clients and communities thrive.
RBC’s Accessibility Office and Accessibility Plan aim to mitigate barriers that impact our clients and employees who have visible or invisible disabilities, in line with legislation8.
Our updated Approach to Human Rights, which includes our refreshed Human Rights Position Statement, describes how RBC will work to continue integrating its commitment to respect human rights into operational policies and procedures across the organization.
In 2023, we published a progress update against the three areas of focus of the RBC Action Plan Against Systemic Racism that was launched in 2020: enabling economic growth and wealth creation, investing in the future, and redefining inclusive leadership.
Strengthen Community Resilience
Through investment and engagement activities, we help communities prepare for a rapidly changing world and adapt for ongoing success.
$172+ million has been given globally through donations and community investments together with the RBC Foundation, including nearly $800,000 in humanitarian and relief support efforts globally as well as climate disaster response efforts in Canada9.
The RBC Communities Together Fund enables RBC employees to help address pressing needs in their region through team volunteer events. In its inaugural year in 2023, the fund supported 880+ volunteer projects, engaging 2,800+ employees and mobilizing $1.3+ million in grants.
Healthy, active people contribute to great communities. We support athletes from the playground to the podium, unlocking the potential of Team Canada’s Next Generation of Olympians with $7.5+ million in funding through RBC Training Ground since its launch in 2016.
Through RBC Race for the Kids, since 2009, $93+ million has been raised in support of youth-focused charities around the world to set up our kids for a thriving future.
More from RBC
Apply for Funding
Through RBC, RBC Foundation and RBC Foundation US, we help communities in Canada and around the world by funding initiatives through donations and sponsorships. Discover how to apply for funding for your cause.
ESG Reporting
We annually report on RBC’s focus areas, key performance indicators and progress in relation to environmental, social and governance matters. Read our most recent 2023 ESG Progress Report for more information.