Issue: #4 | July 2014

In this issue:

Fiinova�on ‐ IOD at 16�� WorldCongress on Environment Management

YES Bank ‐ Responsible Banking

Young Soldiers for Environment Sustainability

Fiinobserva�on of Interna�onal Days

To subscribe visit : www.fiinovation.co.in

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Fiinova�on collaborates with IOD for 16th World Congress on Environment Management

New Delhi: Fiinovation collaborated with IOD for the 16th World Congress on Environment Management and presentation of

Golden Peacock awards held on 11th and 12th July, 2014 at The Ashok, New Delhi. The Chief Guest of the event was Dr. Karan

Singh, member of Rajya Sabha. The event was attended by 300 dignitaries from corporate houses, government and other

institutions.

The Hotel Ashok, witnessed senior dignitaries addressing the gathering with Dr. M. F. Farooqui, IAS delivering the keynote

address stating the necessity of corporate board members to understand the relevance of environment friendly technology and

solutions. He focussed on the need to bring regulation and emission norms with stringent restrictions for both government and

corporate houses. He also highlighted how environment management should be looked as a business opportunity as it is in line

with the idea of environment conservation.

A K Pavadia, Joint secretary, Dept. of Public

Enterprises, Govt. of India, spoke of a need to

introduce cost effective environment friendly

products. He reiterated on a change in attitude with

regard to environment management. Mr Pavadia

spoke of the irony that exists, on air conditioning

temperatures that are kept so low in India that

people need a blanket to sleep. He focused on

creating the urgency on climate change.

The Chief Guest Dr. Karan Singh highlighted the

relevance of directors in helping build a new India.

He reiterated the role of the corporate sector in

ensuring environment sustainability. Corporate Social Responsibility can play a crucial role in providing environment

management solutions, he added. He also urged the people for a lifestyle change for conservation of the environment.

Soumitro Chakraborty, CEO, Fiinovation chaired the session “CSR strategy for Environment Protection” in which he reiterated on

corporations which still do not have sustainability in their top 5 agenda. He highlighted being ecological is the main paradigm for

being economical. Talking of scarcity, he stated that resources are becoming half every 10 years. The statistics shared were

grave and explained how it is 'not about compliance, rather survival'.

The plenary sessions focused on various topics related to environment management and the role of corporate houses in

environment conservation. The convergence of eminent personalities reemphasized on the importance of environment

management and sustainability of the business. The two day event helped in establishing linkages between leadership,

environment management and sustainability. The event also provided opportunities for networking and exchange of ideas.

What the Influencers Said…

"Corporate social responsibility is a hard‐edged business decision. Not because it is a nice thing to do or because people are forcing us to do it... because it is good for our business."

‐ Niall Fitzerald, Unilever

"The business of business should not be about money. It should be about responsibility. It should be about public good, not private greed."‐Anita Roddick, Body Shop

"People are going to want, and be able, to find out about the ci�zenship of a brand, whether it is doing the right things socially, economically and environmentally."

‐Mike Clasper, Proctor and Gamble

Responsible Banking – Solu�ons to DevelopmentalChallenges

YES Bank was founded by Mr. Rana Kapoor and Late Mr. Ashok Kapur in

2004 to offer comprehensive banking and financial solutions to customers.

Currently the bank is India's fourth largest private sector bank with more than

430 branches in 275 locations.

YES Bank adopts the triple bottom-line discourse of 'People, Planet and

Profit' to create enduring value, competitive advantage and sustainable

leadership. The aim is to ensure the bank follows global standards of

operation and function. They have innovative initiatives that are designed to

cover emerging sectors, untapped markets and underserved sections of

society.

Financial institutions such as banks are known to be well aware of the

pressing social and environmental issues. The Indian banking scenario is

highly competitive which is why the banks need to focus on customer

satisfaction and behavior. In order to create a niche for themselves, many

banks have started to play a significant role in social development.

Communication is an important aspect and banks utilize it to create an

enhanced public image and good will through comprehensive reporting

standards.

YES Bank understands the importance of mainstreaming sustainability and

employs a multi-stakeholder approach. They provide innovative financial

solutions to address challenges that exist in livelihood, climate change, public

health, education, information technology and biotechnology among others.

CSR Ini�a�ves of YES Bank are:

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VitaGoat a low cost, soy‐processing system developed by Malnutri�on Ma�ers (Canadian NGO) works to combat malnutri�on and provides livelihood opportuni�es. It has been deployed at Buldana Urban Co‐opera�ve Credit Society which runs a residen�al school since 2007. So far, 700 school children have been fed with soy milk/paneer and it is expected to serve 300‐400 people daily in Rajasthan.

Nurture effec�ve partnerships with N G Os and entrepreneurs to enhance outreach by developing low cost soymilk systems.

Raised USD 47 mn for Greenko, a renewable energy player, through private placement of equity shares with Global Environment Fund, one of the world's largest environment focused funds, for expansion of their hydro power genera�on assets.

Planted 7,724 trees in the repor�ng period through Grow Trees and gi�ed over 2,000 e‐cer�ficates to their customers.

YES Bank incorporates Responsible Banking through:

Responsible Banking in Thought Responsible Banking in Ac�on

Sustainability Research & Thought Leadership

Sustainability Advisory

Triple Bo�om Line Accoun�ng and Repor�ng

YES COMMUNITY

Microfinance Ins�tu�ons and Affordable Housing Group

Inclusive & Social Banking

Agribusiness & Rural Banking

Sustainable Investment Banking

Socially Responsible Inves�ng

YES BANK's Responsible CSR practices have got them national as well as international recognition. They have been conferred with

the Outstanding Business Sustainability Achievement award at Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Award, Germany and the Bank

received commendation certificate for significant achievement at CII ITC Sustainability Award 2013. YES Bank was earlier awarded

the Golden Peacock Global Award for Sustainability 2012 at the London Global Convention.

YES Sahaj

YES Money

War on Waste

Billion Trees

Incredible India Travel Card

YES Leap

YES I CARE

Social Innova�ons of YES Bank

- Media & Communication

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Young Soldiers for Environment Sustainability

30% of the world population consists of youth and “Investing on Young People” was the theme of the world population day 2014.

Studies have reiterated the relevance of investing in youth and capacitating them to take the world to newer heights. The

involvement of youth in environmental and development initiatives is important for the successful completion of a programme.

This brings us to the question, if the youth is serious or actually aware about the environment; it could be environment safety,

management or sustainability. It would be difficult to say that youth is not conscious, but yes the awareness level is low. There is a

lack of serious concern for environment management, simply because according to them there is lot of other issues that need to be

addressed. It could also be related to a lack of urgency that exists for the issues of environment degradation. The shortsighted and

casual view is obviously a matter of concern. Therefore, there is a need to focus on environment management undoubtedly and we

must adopt measures that preserve the environment.

Innovative Financial Advisors Pvt. Ltd. recommends working towards providing the youth with a secure and healthy future that

includes quality environment, improved standard of living and access to education and employment. There should be consultations

with the youth and a dialogue process should be established between the government and the people to understand their

perspective on environment sustainability. There is a need to develop a sustainability education and community service

programme, run online platforms for feedback and encourage environment protection in school curriculums.

People can contribute in a big way by taking up the challenge of environment protection and making it a mission. Youth can

volunteer after work or school to participate in activities which are related to environment protection. This can be done along with the

day to day activities. Spreading awareness and advocating for environment management as the trend will be useful. Sensitization of

the rural youth is important to create an overall impact. Environment management needs to become a mandated component of

every developmental programme. All programmes need to address the issues of allocation and entitlement of natural resources,

housing, recreation, and reduction of pollution and toxicity in both rural and urban areas.

The demand for environment friendly products and services should be increased and the youth can be the prime drivers. Innovative

Financial Advisors Pvt. Ltd. believes it is up to the youth to take cognizance of what to use and what not to. Some of the initiatives that

youth can participate are:

The Tata Group spent Rs 1,000 crore, the highest spend by an Indian conglomerate on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in 2013‐14.

Aditya Birla Group spent Rs 200 crore on CSR in fiscal 2014, which is a li�le over 2% of the net profit from India.

Infosys, India's second largest IT firm will contribute Rs. 240 crore this fiscal year to its philanthropic arm ‐ Infosys Founda�on ‐ for funding CSR ac�vi�es.

According to census data released this month, a whopping 160 million women in India, 88 percent of who are of working age (15 to 59 years), are confined to their homes performing 'household du�es' rather than being gainfully employed in the formal job sector.

India gets its first online course on Sexual Harassment Act launched by Centre for Social Research and Rainmaker.

Food For Thought...

- Rahul Choudhury

Cleanliness Pollu�on Preven�on Resource conserva�on Greening Transporta�on Green Economy

Controlling li�er, effec�ve maintenance of public land and vacant spaces

Usage of low carbon emission products and

measures to improve air and water quality, reducing usage of

hazardous material, promo�ng healthy indoor

environment

Rain water harves�ng, ground water recharge,

reduc�on in energy, water usage, minimizing

wastage, encourage reuse and recycle

Tree planta�on and preserva�on of ecology

and diversity

Use of public transport and bicycles, promo�ng

walking and vehicle sharing

Green jobs and encouraging local green

businesses

Fiinobservation of International Days Mandela Day

18�� July

Fiinova�on, a research based organiza�on, is an integrated solu�on enabler in the CSR and sustainability domain. It is focused towards

enhancing quality across organiza�onal value chain through meaningful innova�on thereby ensuring sustainability. It is Asia's first proposal

research laboratory wherein research is focused primarily on four sectors, which include health, educa�on, livelihood and environment. The

prac�ces: CSR‐CSO Partnership, CSR Policy Design & Development, Programme Management, Impact Assessment and Sustainability

Repor�ng help provide simple solu�ons to their partners.

Fiinova�on

24/30, Ground Floor, Okhla Industrial Estate, Phase III New Delhi ‐ 110020

Phone: 011‐42332200 | Fax : 011‐42332205

To know more please visit our website: www.fiinova�on.co.in | Email: media@fiinova�on.co.in

World Popula�on Day 11�� July

- Rahul Choudhury- Joyita Bhattacharya

About Fiinova�on

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The 7 billion world population is both, a challenge and an

opportunity, which has implications on sustainability,

urbanization, health and youth empowerment. The opportunity

is to cash on the demographic dividend, especially when 1.8

billion out of the 7 billion is young. However, the challenge

remains a matter of concern, since the newer generations have

more demands which are not eco-friendly. Enormous burden is

being put on the existing resources which are becoming half

every 10 years.

In 1989, the Governing Council of the United Nations

Development Programme recommended that, 11th July

should be observed by the international community as World

Population Day.

The theme of 2014 World population is “investing in young

people”. A youth centric approach implies keeping the youth at

the centre of all development planning. Fiinovation

encourages companies and donors to initiate youth

programmes that further creates opportunities for overall

human development. Involvement of youth is the key for

enhanced programme output and they must be kept at the core

of all programme design and strategy.

It was a unanimous decision of the United Nations General

Assembly to observe 18th July as Nelson Mandela

International Day. The day is observed to honour the great man

on his birthday and carry on his legacy of volunteer work and

community service. The day was inspired by the call Nelson

Mandela made by placing the responsibility of social service in

the hands of the people. This day is a celebration of the work

done by Mandela and is a global call for action that reiterates

his belief of every individual possessing the power to

transform the world.

Mandela lived with three basic principles in life that

encapsulated themselves through freedom of self, freedom of

others and service for all. People are urged on this day to find

inspiration for their contribution in the legacy of Nelson

Mandela and to serve their fellow humans every day. Actions

can be big or small and should focus on the realization or

restoration of dignity and empowerment of people through their

contributions. Some of the areas that the youth can contribute

are food security, shelter and infrastructure, education and

literacy, service and volunteerism etc. Nelson Mandela has

fought for social justice for 67 years and the fraternity is asking

people to start with 67 minutes.