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The Environment

Climate Change Solutions

 

Many of our business clients have recognized the risks and challenges associated with climate change.  Below is a description of services we offer clients to help manage their carbon and energy related goals and objectives.

Carbon Trading

In July 2008, RBC Capital Markets announced global capabilities for carbon emission trading with the establishment of a carbon trading desk. In 2009, the trading desk transacted over 121 million tonnes of carbon credits. The majority of the trading volume centres around the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), the largest compliance market in the world, but we have also seen a growth in trading on the North America Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiatives (RGGI), Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) and other voluntary markets.

More on carbon trading

Clean Energy

RBC recognizes that the clean energy sector is an emerging industry, and we see both opportunities and environmental benefits in providing credit and advisory services to this sector. This is a growing part of our business and some examples of current loans and trading lines include the following as of October 31, 2009:

  • Hydroelectric: Loans of $840 million to Canadian public and private companies whose primary power generation capacity is derived from water. We also have $25 million in outstanding loans to hydro projects that are under construction.

  • Wind: Loans of $110 million globally. We have also provided financing and advisory services to companies with over 2,750 megawatts of wind power capacity, including project financing of almost 375 megawatts of new wind power capacity.

  • Biomass: Loans of $100 million to several biomass projects in North America including the production of ethanol and the generation of electricity through the combustion of bio waste and landfill gas.

  • Solar: Loans of $36 million to global manufacturers of thin film photovoltaic solar modules.

  • Advanced energy metering: Loans of $93 million to several global manufacturers of advanced metering systems whose products serve to enhance energy conservation efforts.

More on our energy financing expertise

LEED Certified Affordable Housing

In 2009, the RBC Tax Credit Equity Group invested $73.7 million (US) into the development of 10 affordable housing projects in the United States. RBC takes a 99% equity ownership position in the US affordable housing projects developed under this program. Several of the housing projects were certified under Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

More on RBC Tax Equity Group


 

Canada's Greenest Employers
Reports
  2009 SOFT Footprint
  2009 Blueprint Report Card
  2009 Corporate Responsibility Report
  CDP2009 Submission


03/12/2010 15:03:29