Strategy and fields of activity
Accepting challenges
The global challenges that we have to cope with today can only be resolved through cooperation between the business and government and society as a whole. Therefore, Deutsche Bank intensively takes part in public debate on issues of sustainable business management. Particularly in the area of environmental protection, the bank plays a vital role as a financial intermediary and capital provider for innovative projects and companies.
However, sustainability and return on investment requirements do not always harmonize. They operate in an environment which is subject to conflicting demands and in which the aim is to balance economic interests with environmental integrity and social responsibility. However, Deutsche Bank strives to firmly anchor sustainability as part of its business policy and to realize it as part of its corporate DNA.
Our sustainability approach
Our sustainability strategy is based on the ten principles of the Global Compact. As one of its founding members, we have committed ourselves to support the ten principles of this UN initiative for corporate responsibility and to implement it in practice. Its principles apply to the areas of human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, and fighting corruption. We regard it as a guideline for our own commitment and want to communicate and support it even outside of our company.In implementing our sustainability approach, we adhere to the ESG concept. It distinguishes between environmental themes (Environment), social themes (Social), and themes relating to corporate governance (Governance).
Our direct and indirect impact
Our business operations affect our employees, clients, shareholders, and ultimately society as a whole – directly or indirectly.In our view, all operational issues can be influenced directly. For instance, we are pursuing a challenging goal in the area of operational environmental protection: we have undertaken to make all our business operations completely climate-neutral by 2013. We strive to be an attractive employer for our staff, supporting them in a targeted manner, and enabling them to make environmentally and socially responsible choices in their day-to-day work routine. We can also exert influence in conjunction with our core business. For example, we provide impetus for change by expanding our range of climate-friendly financial products, which also have an indirect impact in the wider context of the economy and society. Our commitment towards responsible corporate governance also has an indirect impact even beyond the limits of the bank.
Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. As part of its commitment in the area of sustainability, the environment – and climate protection – also play an important role at Deutsche Bank. “The next economy must be cleaner and more energy-efficient,” states Dr. Josef Ackermann, Chairman of the Management Board of Deutsche Bank: “Green growth is also good economy. [...] My aim is to keep Deutsche Bank at the forefront of green growth.”
The complete speech of Dr. Josef Ackermann on the topic of “Green growth – the role of financial institutions” (PDF / 148 KB)