How We Live
The Deutsche Bank programme for environmental impact
Restore, Protect and Educate
Our CSR environmental impact programme How We Live is inspired by the conviction that when we act together, the results are more powerful and far-reaching. Through projects focused on oceans and coastlines, rivers and wetlands, forests, farmland and urban green spaces, we work with our partners and our employees to help protect and restore nature.
Changing how we live requires us to change how we think, so we provide education on environmental issues as well. This knowledge benefits communities through the creation of jobs and support for businesses connected to the environment. And it can be life-changing for young people. We want to motivate the next generation to not only care for the natural world, but to lead the way in building a more climate-friendly society.
What issues are we targeting with How We Live?
More Oceans, coastal ecosystems, rivers, and wetlands
The livelihoods of over three billion people are linked to marine and coastal biodiversity. Projects that reduce pollution, restore habitats, and protect endangered species help preserve them. We need healthy rivers and wetlands for clean water and fertile soil that can supply our food, and sustainable farming to help nourish biodiversity on land.
More Forests, life on land, and agriculture
Our forests are ecosystems that provide habitats for more than 80% of all species. How We Live continues our long involvement in restoring woodland: since 2010, more than 5,000 employee volunteers have together planted over half a million trees worldwide. As important is raising awareness of the wider role that forests play in our lives, from improving the air we breathe to providing shelter from the effects of storms and floods.
More Urban green space and sustainable cities
We are advocates for urban green space because by 2050, as much as two-thirds of the global population is expected to live in cities. Green spaces such as parks, playgrounds and gardens are needed to maintain biodiversity in urban environments and provide people with access to nature.
Show content of Why do we support a CSR environmental impact programme?
Sustainability is a priority in every area for Deutsche Bank. Alongside our sustainable finance for clients and the steps we’re taking to improve our own business, we want to involve all of our people in creating a more sustainable world too. To do that we’ve added the environment to our global CSR strategy alongside education, enterprise, and community.
Show content of What impact does How We Live have?
In partnership with local grassroots organisations, environmental groups, and charities, How We Live targets critical issues for nature and communities across the world. Our employees can volunteer their time and skills to support nearby projects. These projects have social as well as environmental positive impact, and we use KPIs to demonstrate that. Our partnership model multiplies the positive impact of the programme for people and the planet, enabling us to contribute more to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Show content of How our employees get involved?
Our employees increase the positive impact of our CSR initiatives. Our Plus You volunteering and giving community provides the opportunity for employees to get involved and give to causes close to their hearts. In 2021, over 15,000 employee volunteers (18% of the workforce) invested more than 133,000 hours in total in CSR projects around the world.
Our employees can volunteer their time and skills to support nearby How We Live projects and help shape the environment and the lives of people around them.
What projects are we supporting?
“How We Live adds a new dimension to our global CSR strategy and the volunteering possibilities for employees across the bank. The new environmental impact programme is helping to create a more sustainable world and contributing to the bank’s sustainability strategy. And as every How We Live project has a local focus, employees will help protect and restore nature and build a deeper understanding of why we must care for the natural world and change how we live.”