Tonny Thierry Andersen, Danske Bank’s CFO, tells about integrating the Group’s principles of responsibility in our business:
Although 2008 was a challenging year for the Danske Bank Group, we have worked steadily to integrate our principles of responsibility in our activities as a business and an employer. In 2009, we will maintain our overall CR objectives and continue to implement the policies and programmes that constitute the framework for the Group’s environmental, social and ethical commitments.
SRI
In 2008, we took a big step in integrating social responsibility in our business when we implemented a new policy on socially responsible investing. The purpose of the policy is to ensure that the funds we manage for our customers are not invested in companies that violate universally recognised standards of human rights, labour rights, the environment and anti-corruption. We believe that this is both common sense and good business. The policy is also consistent with our support for the ten principles of the UN Global Compact.
Towards carbon neutrality
This year, 2009, will be the year when the Danske Bank Group achieves carbon neutrality. This is a an ambitious goal, but it is an important one for the Group because we wish to help solve the climate challenges that both businesses and governments face. And we are already well on the way to reaching it.
At first we will neutralise our CO2 emissions mainly by purchasing carbon credits from four projects in Lithuania, Turkey and India that produce renewable energy. Over time, we will reduce an increasing percentage of our emissions by energy-efficiency measures and behavioural change. Our target is to reduce energy consumption in the Group's Danish activities by 10% from the level in 2008 over the next five years.
Focus on financial literacy
In 2008, the Group launched the first initiatives and products in the Financial Literacy and Education Investment Programme. The programme is based on our conviction that a higher level of financial literacy and education both helps the individual and contributes to healthy economic growth in society. Moneyville.co.uk, a fun, educational Web site for children 5 to 7 years old, was well received by its target group and parents.
In 2009, we will expand the site with features for 8-9 year olds and will also develop new online services. These services include an educational universe for 10-15 year olds, an advisory programme for 18-25 year olds who face major financial decisions, and an eLearning programme called “Train-the-Teacher” that draws upon the Group’s knowledge and expertise.
Last updated/revised on February 5, 2009