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Our approach
Our people
The environment
ING in the community
Taronga Zoo sponsorship
Our approach
Today, a responsible financial institution has to make investment and insurance decisions that take into account a wide range of social, environmental and ethical considerations. For ING Australia, it makes sense to be involved in key social and environmental issues that are relevant to our business, our customers and the community.
This is not about keeping up with the latest fad; it’s about doing what we’ve always done, which is managing our business for the long term. Dealing with the risks and opportunities in our business environment in a way that balances the needs of all our stakeholders: our customers, our people, our shareholders and the wider community.
Corporate responsibility is a fundamental part of the ING Group strategy: ethical, social and environmental factors play an integral role in our business decisions.
Our people
At ING Australia, our people are at the forefront of our business. We believe that having highly engaged employees is at the heart of our long term success, especially during challenging times.
At ING we have a strong focus on our people. This focus is reflected in our comprehensive Health and Well-Being programs and flexible work practices which support our employees in achieving true worklife balance.
We also aim to offer employees an attractive benefits package, a suite of learning and development opportunities and career programs that assist our employees achieve their goals.
Here at ING, we have strong focus on diversity and aim to attract and retain a diverse workforce and through a culture off inclusiveness ensure all employees can contribute their best at all times.
We encourage our staff to participate in community activities, and have a high rate of staff volunteering to help community organisations through the ING Foundation.
ING is an organisation that lives by its values and supports employees to achieve, grow and have meaning in what we do.
The environment
ING recognises that we impact the environment through our business operations, and our investment decisions. So we believe it is important as a responsible corporation that we look at ways of limiting this impact.
ING Group is 100% carbon neutral, and globally we source 51% of our electricity needs from renewable sources. Here at ING Australia, we are upgrading our head office building with "smart metering" technology, as well as energy efficient lighting and a range of other environmental savings measures that reduce our greenhouse emissions and lower costs. This is an ongoing process.
ING is a global signatory to the United Nations Equator Principles, and in 2008 became a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment.
ING in the community
ING is actively involved in the community, supporting a range of Australian charities and sponsorships through the ING Foundation.
The ING Foundation was established in 1978 to make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged Australians. The ING Foundation has partnered with four important charitable organisations - The Spastic Centre (supporting children with Cerebral Palsy), Barnardos (assisting children who are victims of abuse, neglect and homelessness), Redkite (helping children who are battling childhood cancer) and UNICEF Australia (global advocates for children in need.)
In 2007 our partnership with one of our charity partners, The Spastic Centre, resulted in ING winning the 2007 Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Community Business Partnerships. This award recognised the longevity of our relationship with The Spastic Centre, the numerous events and fundraising activities organised and the depth of engagement from staff.
The ING Foundation also manages an ongoing program of financial grants to organisations that deal with an acute need in the community, with a strong focus on supporting children in need.
We believe people power is just as important as financial assistance. Therefore, all ING employees in Australia are given one paid day of leave every year to do charity and community work, and are encouraged to donate their time and skills through volunteer programs and fundraising activities designed to benefit our charity partners.
By combining company and community resources, the ING Foundation aims to "make a difference to the lives of others."
Taronga Zoo sponsorship
In 2001 ING became the primary sponsor of the lion exhibit at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo. By taking up this sponsorship, we became a major contributor to the zoo’s breeding and conservation program for African lions. Our support helps the management of the lions at the zoo and provides funding for exhibit upgrades, behaviour enrichment toys and veterinary health products.
During the time of our sponsorship there have been many developments with the lions, including the birth of the cubs Asali and Johari in 2003, the upgrade of the lion enclosure and sponsored activities supporting community organisations and zoo fund raising events.
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