VBDO - Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development

Asset managers facing the energy transition: An overview of challenges, opportunities & required actions

• One-third of the asset managers surveyed by the Association of Investors for Sustainable Development (VBDO) indicate that they see the complexity of the energy transition as their biggest challenge; • To date, the current investments required still fall short […]

News - Call on investors: sign our investor statement on plastics -
28/03/2023

The VBDO calls on all its members and other institutional investors to sign our investor statement on the use of plastic by companies. The entire current plastic lifecycle poses a growing threat to the environment, climate, biodiversity, human rights and […]

Opinion - Heineken, donate your Russian tax to Ukraine -
27/03/2023

Finally, Heineken has acknowledged its debts. Even though the beer multinational primarily passed on its responsibility to its subsidiary in Russia, it has now offered an official apology. Heineken had, although admitted afterwards, granted permission to launch 61 new products […]

Opinion - Structural lobby washing requires a responsible strategy -
14/03/2023

Lobby washing Although the term greenwashing has been known for a long time, a new phenomenon emerged from recent research by VBDO, namely ”lobby washing”. Supermarkets and FMCGs such as Ahold Delhaize and Henkel are happy to show the general […]

News - Global Impact Investing Network survey -
21/02/2023

Requested: survey participants The purpose of the Global Impact Investor Survey is to learn about your organization’s asset allocations to impact, impact measurement and management practices, and perceptions on the state of the impact investing market. This survey provides a […]

Opinion - A fair energy transition starts with fair investing -
07/02/2023

One of the biggest challenges for achieving the Paris agreement is realizing a fair energy transition for developing countries. Think of countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam and India, which depend on coal for their electricity supply. If this current dependence […]

"A great, open discussion" - Marcel Andringa, Executive Director

We had a good open discussion with VBDO about the implementation of our sustainable investment policy. They gave us specific points for improvement. Conversely, they were also open to our experiences and suggestions.

"VBDO brings the outside in" - Eric Huizing, VP Investments

We appreciate the work of VBDO. They bring the “outside in”; we are busy with the day-to-day business and then responsible investing often comes second. Through the role of “louse in the fur”, VBDO makes us aware of the fact that you should not only include the financial result in your decision-making process.

"A Driving Force" - Masja Zandbergen, Head of Sustainability Integration

The VBDO benchmark is one of the motivations for Dutch pension funds to seriously approach sustainable investment and continue to improve it.