Corporate & social responsibility
At ING Direct, corporate and social responsibility is at the very heart of our business. We work hard to ensure that we operate in both a socially and environmentally acceptable way in everything we do. It is our mission to help our customers manage their financial future.
Our role, however, extends beyond economics and includes the impact we have on the communities we serve. We feel a responsibility to invest in a better future for people worldwide. Social, ethical and environmental considerations are therefore an integral part of the way we do business. We also team up with local and global partners to affect lasting, positive change in areas like financial literacy, child education and environmental preservation.
Our environmental policy
Managing our own carbon footprint and contributing to the development of a low carbon economy is important for us as a global corporate citizen. ING is a partner of the Carbon Disclosure Project that allows major organisations around the world to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and climate change strategies.
In the UK, we ensure the environmental impacts of our business are taken into consideration. At our main sites, we participate in a recycling scheme and our employees have successfully launched a car-share venture to help cut pollution and congestion.
ING Chances for Children
ING's partnership with UNICEF was founded 5.5 years ago, many ING employees have participated in and contributed to various Chances for Children projects. These projects have brought in over EUR 17 million and have given more than 500,000 children access to education and a safer environment.
This initiative is called 'ING Chances for Children' – to find out more you can visit the website on www.ingchancesforchildren.com
Some examples of Chances for Children projects
Zambia: With ING's help, UNICEF is working to provide a future for children in the Zambian province of Luapula. Education is being improved at existing village schools and 20 new schools are being built to serve about 10,000 children. Since 2010, ING has also supported a new UNICEF initiative to combat climate change in Zambia through the education system.
South Africa: Chances for Children invests in high-quality education in South Africa in the hope of combating HIV/AIDS and to make schools safer. UNICEF uses sports as a tool to empower young people by increasing their social skills. More than 2,000 teachers at 270 schools will be trained to become sport coaches. Through this project we are reaching more than 200,000 children in disadvantaged areas of South Africa.
