ING must realise that sustainability is not a trend, but a revolution.
Current discussion
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ING in society
Discussion held on October 08, 2009 at Amsterdam
Thursday, 8 October 2009 saw the kick-off of a new initiative: a series of discussions about ING’s role in society. Led by programme maker and director, Felix Rottenberg, ING staff, including Executive Board Chairman, Jan Hommen, and Chairman of ING Netherlands, Nick Jue, spoke to retail and commercial customers, social and non-governmental organisations, the media, academics, policy makers and investors.
Read more about the report of the full meeting and ING’s next steps.
We chose three of the discussion participants to tell us how they think ING should shape its future CR policy. Let us know who you agree with.
The following panel members shared their opinion
- Bart van Olphen
Sustainability
- Gemma Crijns
Principles
For me, it’s important that ING clearly formulates its principles and ambitions in the field of sustainability and human …
- Marcel Jeucken
One single approach
ING should have a sustainable vision, which permeates the organisation.
- Bart van Olphen
- Fishes
Sustainability
ING must realise that sustainability is not a trend, but a revolution.
In the fishing industry, for example, I don’t think it will be long before sustainability is the norm. I think that ING knows which way things are headed, but its ambitions aren’t compatible yet. Young entrepreneurs are more ready to seize on these developments than large global players such as ING. That’s why ING should work with start-ups already involved in sustainable developments. This group calls for a different approach and can be used as an example.
- Gemma Crijns
- Consultant, formerly worked at Nyenrode & Amnesty
Principles
For me, it’s important that ING clearly formulates its principles and ambitions in the field of sustainability and human rights, with international law as the starting point.
ING must be open about it. The choices made by the business must be based on these principles and ambitions and not on what pressure groups are demanding. A company shouldn’t be too sensitive to the outside world. Once the principles have been established, they can be rolled out across the organisation. Some changes can’t be made at once. There may be some inconsistency for a while. But as long as an organisation can explain the principles underlying its choices, there isn’t a problem.
- Marcel Jeucken
- Head of Responsible Investment PGGM
One single approach
ING should have a sustainable vision, which permeates the organisation.
If ING doesn’t invest its own money in certain activities or companies, it shouldn’t do it with its customers’ money either. By adopting a single approach, it will be clear where ING stands. That would help ING’s own business operations and would also create transparency towards customers. It also means that where ING has a vision for one business unit to invest or not to invest in certain activities, it applies it across the board. If ING excludes company X, it means the company can’t borrow or take out insurance from ING and ING shouldn’t invest its own or its customers’ money in company X.
