ING Direct 2002 Annual Report Download - page 52

Annual Report 2002 · ING Group 49
ING in Society
institutional clients on socially responsible and
sustainable investment options.
Shareholders
During the year, ING laid the groundwork for a
major overhaul of its corporate governance
structure. The changes, made public in early
2003 (see page 76), are designed to enhance
transparency and give shareholders more power,
while also safeguarding the long-term interests
of the Group. ING’s environmental, social and
ethical performance achieved good ratings
during the year by asset managers of various
sustainable funds. The Dow Jones and the FTSE
once again included ING in their sustainability
indices.
Employees
In terms of employee relations, ING introduced
new measurement systems to track diversity in
human resources. The Netherlands Bankers’
Association signed a covenant on working
conditions with the express aim to reduce stress,
RSI and absenteeism in the financial sector. The
covenant demonstrates that ING takes these
issues seriously and underscores the Group’s
commitment to actively combat these
conditions. Another highlight was the covenant
signed by the Executive Board and the European
Workers Council. The covenant articulates
common guidelines for social policy and labour
management in the 14 European countries
where ING operates.
Sponsoring
ING’s sponsoring and donations activities
continued during the year. The sponsoring
contracts with the Dutch Society for the
Preservation of Nature (Vereniging Natuur-
monumenten) and the Dutch Royal Concert-
gebouw Orchestra were renewed. On the
occasion of the opening of ING House, the
Group made donations to various institutions
in Amsterdam, including the Artis Zoo, the VU
Hospital, and the historic Olympic Stadium.
Sustainability
In 2002, ING’s traditional Christmas package for
all its employees in the Netherlands consisted
exclusively of sustainable and environmentally-
friendly products. And as another sign of ING’s
commitment to sustainable business practices,
ING switched to Max Havelaar coffee at more
than 40 locations in the Netherlands. The Max
Havelaar brand stands for fair trade and decent
wages for small-scale coffee growers in
developing countries.
At the UN summit on sustainability in
Johannesburg in September 2002, ING, together
with other peers in the World Business Council
for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), launched
a CEO statement comprising four specific CSR
initiatives.
Human rights
During 2002, ING continued to refine its business
principles, which form the starting point for all
behaviour and business relationships at ING. A
project was started to investigate the possibility
of adding two new business principles on
human rights and sustainability. A business
principle on human rights is deemed necessary in
order to provide more guidance on some of the
human rights dilemmas ING faces in doing
business around the world. ING is preparing an
internal survey among its international
management on various human-rights issues.
ING also regularly holds bilateral discussions
with leading international human-rights
organisations and specialists. In formulating the
new human rights business principle – expected
to be finalised in 2003 – this feedback will be
taken into account.
Outlook
In addition to evaluating its business principles,
ING will continue in 2003 to harmonise global
reporting on non-financial issues in order to
present a more unified view on sustainability
issues within the company. The ING in Society
Report 2002 will be published in June 2003.
-

ING House is made of high-
quality, durable materials.
The double glass façade
plays an important role in
the climate control. In the
outer layer on the south
side, flaps can be opened
during warm weather.
Anatural stream of air along
the façade will provide
cooling. Additionally, cool
water from a reservoir
120 metres below the
building is led to the climate
ceilings of ING House by
means of a water pump.
 
Modernisation of ING’s
corporate governance to
enhance transparency and
give shareholders more
power
—
Covenant signed with
European Workers Council
for social policy and labour
management in Europe
—
Work on new business
principles on human rights
and sustainability