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 RBC provides lending services to millions of clients in a variety of jurisdictions. Our lending activities support a broad range of client needs, including traditional operating loans, residential and commercial mortgages and project financing. As a responsible lender, we practice a high level of due diligence to identify, assess and help mitigate the environmental risks associated with lending to our clients. Responsible lending protects RBC interests while providing value-added support to our clients, and is part of what makes RBC a preferred lender.
| Key Highlights of our Progress:
- First Canadian bank to sign the Equator Principles
in 2003, a commitment to review social and environmental
impacts of projects that exceed $10 million in financing.
In alignment with our commitment to the EPs, RBC developed
a risk management policy on Social and Environmental
Review in Project Finance. RBC also committed to the
revised Equator Principles in 2006.
- Continued application of comprehensive environmental
risk management policies and procedures in the review
and approval of loans and other transactions. Originally
launched in 1992, these policies and processes are
proactively reviewed and updated to address regulatory
changes, emerging and evolving issues and international
best-practices.
- Performed detailed environmental credit risk assessments
on 750 transactions in Canada and the United States
in 2009, representing a 15% increase over 2008 transaction
volumes.
- Drafted our environmental risk management policy
for all corporate lending and investment banking activities
enterprise-wide. The policy includes the assessment
of issues related to environmental management and
compliance, climate change, biodiversity and water
for all borrowers operating in medium- and high-impact
sectors.
- Reviewed existing environmental risk management
policies and current practices in RBC's US and Caribbean
operations. Based on the findings of the review, updated
environmental risk management policies were drafted
for business and commercial lending activities in
the US and Caribbean.
- Analyzed the exposure of borrowers and sectors in
our loan and investment portfolio to climate change
risks and regulations. An external consultant conducted
an analysis of approximately 100 of our largest single-name
clients in heavy industry sectors. The analysis will
help inform sector-specific environmental risk assessments.
- Delivered environmental risk management presentations
to risk managers and lenders in the Maritimes and
the Caribbean.
- Held the RBC Renewable Energy Workshop in October
2009 to educate Commercial Banking risk managers and
lenders on emerging advisory and financing opportunities
in small and medium sized renewable energy projects.
- Drafted a white paper on green buildings that identified
trends in green buildings and also evaluated potential
financing opportunities.
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More About:
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Review our What We're Doing section to find out about our environmental priorities and commitments. |
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Download the PDF |
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