It is our ambition to make sustainability an integral part of our business. Clear roles and responsibilities are defined in order to manage sustainability in all parts of our organisation from client interaction to managing our carbon footprint.

CSR Steering Committee
Our Chief Executive Officer is chairman of the CSR Steering Committee, which discusses and decides on sustainability strategy, targets, planning and budget. The Steering Committee consists of delegates of the Management Teams of the different strategic business units and these members are responsible for carrying out the CSR strategy within their SBUs.

CSR team
The CSR Steering Committee has delegated the set-up and implementation of sustainability strategy, targets, planning and budget to the CSR team, which consists of the CSR manager and several CSR specialists. Continuously the CSR team ensures to be up-to-date with sustainability developments and engages with external stakeholders. Annually, the CSR team will prepare a year plan with specific targets and a budget. This plan is presented to the CSR Steering Committee. The CSR Steering Committee and CSR team meet on a quarterly basis to discuss progress and evaluate activities. The CSR team ultimately reports to the Chief Risk Officer. 

Business Units
The sustainability strategy is executed in collaboration between the CSR team and various business units (BUs) in order to make CSR an integral part of our business. Each BU integrates CSR into its activities to create alignment between the sustainability strategy and business strategy. For example, Facilities & Services manages NIBC's energy efficiency programme and commercial teams use the Sustainability Framework in their client interaction.

International Offices
In each of our offices in Belgium, Germany, the UK and Singapore, a CSR representative acts as a liaison for the CSR Team. They help inform local staff about our sustainability policies and activities and report back on any relevant local CSR initiatives or issues.

Sustainability is not only the responsibility of the CSR Team. For NIBC, this is an integral part of how we do business. Reflected in our Code of Conduct and business principle 'We show Responsibility', it is our duty to constantly and carefully balance the diverse interests of our stakeholders. Our governance revolves around a system of checks and balances that ensures that stakeholder interests are part of decision-making processes.

For details about sustainability in our client-and transaction process click here.

Training
All NIBC employees received training on sustainability and NIBC's sustainability framework and principles in 2010. A general introduction to CSR is part of the introduction training at NIBC and specific Sustainability training for new hires is given twice a year. The training provides insight in sustainability issues, environmental and social impacts of businesses, the response of the financial industry, and NIBC's approach to sustainability. The training offers general information and uses a case-study to get insight in NIBC's Sustainability Policy Framework and Toolkit applicable in our client business.

On an ongoing basis, Management Teams or team meetings are visited by NIBC CSR experts for general or specific sustainability presentations and discussions. Additionally, employees can find information about NIBC's sustainability standards and Equator Principles on NIBC's intranet pages. Through CSR newsletters and presentations, relevant CSR updates are communicated to all staff and/or specific project finance teams.