ANZ
In October 2006 WWF and Institutional division of ANZ formed a three year partnership to help ANZ understand the environmental and social issues associated with their clients' business. Both organisations believed that through working together they could generate sustainable business value and better outcomes for the environment.
WWF has assisted ANZ to develop four responsible lending policies. The social and environmental management policies set out how ANZ will engage with customers in socially and environmentally sensitive sectors. They are designed to guide the decision making and help customers understand how they can best respond to the social and environmental issues facing their industry and therefore ensure the long-term sustainability of their business.
The Forests, Water, Mining and Minerals and Greenhouse and Energy Policies incorporate internationally-recognised social and environmental management standards that ANZ will work with its customers to meet.
These Policies relate directly to the intent and commitments outlined in ANZ's Environment Charter and are integral to achieving ANZ's responsible finance objectives. They also supplement ANZ's internal policies which require consideration of environmental and social issues as part of the customer and transaction review and approvals process.
WWF also engages ANZ staff to build their understanding of the environmental issues associated with their client's business and to help them understand the practical implications of applying the policies.
WWF is now working with ANZ to develop a Sustainable Leadership Program that aims to embed environmental risk management into decision making. The program is initially targeting 60 senior staff from the Institutional business with participants coming from Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
WWF believes it is essential to engage with the financial sector to review and improve their environmental and social commitments and practices. This is critical to encourage the financial sector to make the vital choices that move us towards a sustainable financial system and subsequently sustainable living.
The WWF and ANZ partnership has evolved over a three-year period to remain relevant and responsive to changing market demands and economic conditions, especially the current global financial crisis.
