Rabobank

  • Sector: Financial Services
  • Headquarters: Netherlands

Review summary

Rabobank submitted their nature vision and approach to ‘Its Now for Nature’ and met all the criteria to be part of the campaign. They are taskforce members of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financials Disclosure (TNFD) and they signed the Finance for Biodiversity Pledge.

Reviewed August 2024

  • Based on the outcome of the double materiality assessment, Rabobank will focus its efforts on land use, water and pollution. ​
  • Rabobank conducted a nature footprint analysis on their private sector loan portfolio, which constitutes 63% of their total assets.​
  • The biggest nature related impact from their assets are from land use.
  • Additionally, 85% of the covered assets are highly dependent on ecosystem services such as water availability, soil quality, and climate regulation.

  • Rabobank has defined SMART targets related to nature. The targets section of their nature vision and approach includes details about the targets (measurement), examples of actions, and awareness and disclosure.​
  • Example targets are:​
  1. They aim to finance the sustainability transition of their Dutch Food and Agriculture clients with EUR 3 billion between 2023 and 2030.​
  2. The sustainability score of their Dutch dairy clients to be based on data from the Biodiversity Monitor and Open Soil Index by the end of 2025.​
  3. Nature to be included in the scope of their double materiality analysis by the end of 2024.​
  • Rabobank is in the process of setting nature-related targets, following external guidance such as the UNPRB’s Nature Target Setting Guidance and the Finance for Biodiversity Foundation’s guidance.

  • Rabobank’s efforts and actions are guided by the Mitigation Hierarchy.​
  • They highlight examples of nature-related business solutions and initiatives in collaboration with others.​
  • For example, McCain, a Rabobank client, committed to implementing regenerative agriculture across 100% of their acreage by 2030, supported by a global program with measurable indicators.

  • Rabobank’s approach to nature is strongly supported by their Managing Board, with the Chair emphasising their commitment to acting on climate, valuing nature, and enabling people as a sustainable cooperative bank. The Managing Board is dedicated to enhancing efforts to value nature and help customers reduce their environmental impact within planetary boundaries.​
  • The governance structure involves the Supervisory Board overseeing sustainability matters, while the Managing Board sets the group’s sustainability strategy and roadmap. Committees, including the Risk Management Committee, are established to integrate ESG risks into the risk management framework and ensure the implementation of sustainability initiatives across the bank.