Investments for a smaller footprint

At a.s.r. vermogensbeheer, we do not invest in army green, but do invest in green energy. Deliberate choices like these are a way to improve the world by means of our investments one step at a time. To reduce our footprint, by emitting less CO2, for example. And we are not just saying that, we are measuring it, too.

Carbon accounting: the climate impact of investments

Because knowing the impact of investments on climate change can enable well-informed decisions for the long run. This impact is measured by means of carbon accounting, a method we have developed with 13 other Dutch financial institutions and are now further fine-tuning by incorporating multiple asset classes.

Whether or not to invest in a company or a fund is determined by the sustainability criteria of our investment policy, among other factors. Based on these criteria, including environmental and other indicators, we select the top performing companies in terms of sustainability.

32% reduction of carbon emissions 

The footprint of our investments, based on carbon emissions per € 1 million, was down 32% at year-end 2018 compared with year-end 2017. A huge reduction! In addition, the number of asset classes covered by the measurement method just mentioned was expanded considerably in the final months of 2018.

Climate-proof portfolio

A recent example of our approach to make a positive impact on the climate and tomorrow’s world through investment is a pilot we conducted with Ortec Finance in 2018. The pilot demonstrated the importance of including, for example, the macroeconomic effects of global warming in financial scenarios. Innovations of this kind provide better insights, which in turn lead to long-term choices that create a climate-proof portfolio in line with the Paris Agreement.

A greener world with financial and social return

Making the world a better place, or a greener one, so to say, through sustainable investment, that is what we want to achieve with the World of Long. To that end, we take long-term decisions without losing sight of financial return, obviously, but also giving due regard to social return. The other return, in other words, from which we all benefit.

Will you also go green, for tomorrow’s sake?

These are the choices that ensure that our clients’ assets contribute to a smaller footprint today, and a greener world tomorrow. Do you want your funds’ assets under management to grow responsibly based on a climate-proof investment portfolio? Join us and be in it for the long haul to shape tomorrow’s world.