Member Spotlight: RBC Royal Bank is Greening Your Business

Member Spotlight: RBC Royal Bank is Greening Your Business

This spring, CBSR member RBC Royal Bank published ‘Greening your business: A guide to getting started’, a resource for Canadian companies of all sizes.  This 50 page guide features insight from sustainability leaders such as Canada’s Bob Willard, a step-by-step approach to developing a strategic plan and case studies of successful Canadian organizations going green. This guide and other informative resources are available for free on their advice centre at: www.rbc.com/business-advice.

Financial Institution as Business Resource

The guidebook came about after research conducted by RBC uncovered that while businesses are keen on the idea of sustainable business practices, they need help to get started, as well as relevant tactical advice and products. It was this feedback that provided the catalyst for the bank’s guidebook.

“It’s not just an altruistic project,” says Jim Hart, national client strategist at RBC “we have a vested interest in strengthening relationships with our clients and helping them on their journey to go green. We’re finding that the guidebook is a great way to engage business owners on the benefits of a more sustainable approach.” RBC also recognizes that Canadian businesses will be making significant investments in the coming years in retrofits and equipment upgrades and wants to position themselves as the best source of financing for these initiatives.

Environmental Sustainability

RBC’s journey to sustainability began almost 20 years ago with the launch of their first Policy on the Environment. Since then, protecting the environment has become a key pillar of their corporate responsibility plan. With 20 years of extensive experience in environmental sustainability and an impressive track record of greening its own operations, they have a wealth of knowledge to share with the Canadian business community. “We want to be the go-to bank for greening your business and operations, and expect to be the go-to for solid advice and financing.” says Sandra Odendahl, director of Corporate Environmental Affairs at RBC.

The RBC experience shows that a financial institution can be a facilitator to help move business forward on sustainability. Given the growing opportunity and risk around environmental performance, and heightened public and business consciousness on the issue, RBC is helping ensure its clients future success and viability.