In our investments, we take people and the environment into account. We aim not only for financial, but also for social returns. We take responsibility for this by actively including criteria in the areas of the environment, social policy and good corporate governance in our investment processes. We achieve this by making conscious choices, including the exclusion of companies and countries and exercising influence through dialogue and voting behavior at shareholders' meetings. We value this sustainable approach because it gives us the opportunity to make a positive contribution, now and in the future, to a liveable world for future generations. We consider this important.
Read more on our most recent ESG-activities.
Are you a private investor and would you like to know more about the sustainable investment options available at a.s.r.? Click here (Dutch).
CO2 reduction plays an important role within our sustainability strategy. After prematurely achieving previously set CO2 reduction targets, we have once again included ambitious CO2 reduction targets in our sustainability strategy 2024 - 2027.
our sustainability strategy 2024 - 2027
ESG covers a whole range of themes. Naturally we would like to be (equally) active in every theme, but in practice this is unfortunately not feasible. Moreover, we stand for quality and commitment, which is why we have chosen to focus on four ESG themes in our activities:
On each theme, we have released a paper that shows exactly what we are doing to shape that theme.
Read our papers on the focus themes
At a.s.r. we have been paying special attention to people, the environment and society since 2007. It is embedded in our DNA and therefore also in our investment policy. In order to (continue to) invest sustainably, strategic innovation and digitalization are essential. This is why a.s.r. has established an ESG research center together with the University of Amsterdam (UvA) on July 1, 2023: Research Centre for Sustainable Investments & Insurance (RCSII).
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With its sustainability policy and investment strategy, ASR Vermogensbeheer N.V. (the Manager) anchors sustainability in its investment process and thus aims to limit and control the impact of sustainability risks on portfolio returns. We strive to make sustainability central to our investment process because we believe that sustainability risks, including climate risks, are inherent in investment risks. We believe portfolios with an integrated approach to sustainability offer the best prospects for long-term returns.
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Our investment policy is focused on the future. For this reason, we choose our investments carefully. We invest mainly close to home. In businesses and countries that meet social and sustainability criteria. We exclude those that do not make the cut. That is why you will not find any arms, tobacco or major polluters among our investments.
Sustainable investment policy
In 2018, the European Commission introduced an action plan for sustainable finance: the Sustainable Finance Action Plan. This plan aims to encourage the financial sector to invest more in activities that are sustainable and focused on the longer term. One of the European regulations resulting from the action plan is the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). Its objective is to improve the disclosure of sustainable investments within the financial sector. We take the main adverse impacts on sustainability factors into account in our investment decisions. Read more about how we do this below.
About SFDR
We engage with the businesses we invest in to discuss how to increase social and sustainable returns in the long run. And we let our voice be heard at shareholders’ meetings. We take our responsibility as a shareholder seriously, and actively perform our shareholder role.
About active ownership
Do you want to know more about our SRI policy, active ownership or our publications? All our disclosures, reports, agreements and documents can be found in our database.
To our database
We find it important to show that our role as a sustainable investor comes with responsibilities, and we report transparently on what we do. We also frequently join sector-wide initiatives to increase our impact where possible. Below is a list of the agreements and initiatives we have endorsed.
Agreements
Every quarter, we provide an update on sustainable investment developments: where we currently stand with regard to our carbon footprint, our voting behaviour at AGMs and new engagements we have entered into, for example. You can find our quarterly reports in the knowledge base.
To our quarterly reports
We invest responsibly, securely and sustainably without losing sight of investment income. All investments are checked against the ESG criteria based on the a.s.r. SRI (Socially Responsible Investment) policy. Countries and businesses that do not make the cut are excluded.
Contact
Head of Sustainable Investments
Raquel is responsible for SRI policy and implementation at ASR Nederland.
Contact Raquel